2006 - 2010
L. E. SMOOT MEMORIAL LIBRARY
KING GEORGE, VIRGINIA
“L.E. Smoot Memorial Library, your partner and resource to LearnęExploreęServe.”
August 2006
2006 - 2010
L. E. SMOOT MEMORIAL LIBRARY
KING GEORGE, VIRGINIA
“L.E. Smoot Memorial Library, your partner and resource to LearnęExploreęServe.”
August 2006
MESSAGE FROM THE TRUSTEES
When Smoot Library opened the population of King George County was approximately 8000. Population data provided by the Virginia Employment Commission show that the population of the county had doubled by 2000. It is estimated that the population will exceed 27,000 by 2030. It is important to note that while the population is increasing in all age groups, the increase in the number of people older than 40 is especially significant.
The scope and diversity of services that the Library should provide are directly related to the size of the population. Hence, the number of books, CDs, DVDs, and tapes in our collection needs to grow. Likewise, the number of public computers, reader seating space, and special use space all need to grow. The number and type of programs that are needed increase as the population grows and the age demographics change. Thus, workspace and meeting space needs also increase. There are a number of community services that are not now available in the county, such as telework stations, that could be provided by the Library. If suitable meeting space is available, community groups could use it.
It was recently noted that King George is the 11th fastest growing county in Virginia. With that growth comes a need for expanded services to the population. This includes not only books but also technical services such as computer access and "wireless work areas". Our successful community programs for both adults and youths are in desperate need of space. The addition of the Cartwright property will allow the library to provide all these critical services and more for years to come.
In addition to making a concerted effort to assess community needs, we will continue to work with the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission to propose and get approval for a Capital Improvement Project within the current planning window (2006-2011). Our past proposals have included early investment in planning and architectural design studies. We intend to use our own money, as needed, to fund the initial studies in order to advance our proposal through the county capital improvement process. We invested some of our bequest in the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region. The Foundation provides assistance in fundraising and we plan to use them to help us identify alternate funding sources to help pay for our expansion project.
CONTENTS
The library recruits, develops, and retains the most competent staff available.
Mrs. Ann Hopewell Smoot Mr. Lewis Egerton Smoot
Ann Hopewell Smoot built the Library in 1969 in memory of her husband, Lewis Egerton Smoot who died at the age of 82 in October of 1962. Mr. Smoot was president and chairman of the board of Smoot Sand & Gravel.
The design of the library building is after the Mentor Public Library in Mentor, Ohio. They have since expanded their building with a multistory addition that was added to the front of the building. Our building was dedicated on February 22, 1970 and opened its doors to the public on March 2, 1970. On that day 110 county residents registered for library cards, and 155 books were checked out.
The Memorial Room of our library is paneled in burled maple, topped by plaster cornices colored to match. A 22 foot Imperial Kirman rug covers the parquet floor. Draperies of Scalamandre brocade reported to have cost $300 per yard hang in the three windows. Brass chandeliers hang above a 16 foot table of solid cherry with cherry side chairs. A 1957 portrait of Mr. Smoot was hung in the Memorial Room at the time of the dedication. The portrait of Mrs. Smoot that hangs in the Memorial Room is from 1960. The two paintings on either side of the bookcases are views of Caledon, Mrs. Smoot's home, now Caledon Natural Area. The hunting prints were personal favorites of Mr. Smoot.
Mrs. Smoot ran and privately financed the library from March 1970 until November of 1973. On October 18, 1973 an Ordinance to Create the Board of Trustees was adopted by the Board of Supervisors, and on November 1, 1973 Mrs. Smoot donated the land, the library building and its contents to King George County. At that time Mrs. Smoot donated $700,000 to establish an endowment fund to help maintain the Library as a free public library. The income from this fund is expended for library purposes, and the principal amount remains intact and is held for investment.
The mission of the L. E. Smoot Library is to enhance the quality of life for the entire King George County community by providing services, programs, and a balanced collection, all of which fulfill educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs and interests in an atmosphere that is welcoming, safe, and respectful.
We envision a future in which the library will serve as a center for education, information, culture, and recreation; it will be an integral part of the county’s economic development plans. The library will evolve in order to meet the community’s continually changing demographics and needs and will ensure that all of the community’s interests are represented in the library’s collection and services. The library will strive to ensure that the entire King George County community, including those who are not able to access the main facility, can make use of the library’s resources. We will create opportunities for individuals to enrich their lives through lifelong learning by creating and promoting barrier-free access to ideas and information through a vast array of formats, technologies, and programs.
The L. E. Smoot Memorial Library Strategic Plan has five strategic goals. They are intended to help us transform our current facilities, equipment, and technology to meet the evolving needs of all segments of the King George County community and to develop and implement the changes required to do so in the future.
LEARN
· Members of the community are able to obtain the materials and services required for them to pursue their individual information and learning needs.
EXPLORE
· The community is well informed about the range of services and programs available at the library and views the library as a cultural and community center.
SERVE
· The library recruits, develops, and retains the most competent staff available.
· The library provides and maintains facilities, equipment, and technology to address the information, learning, and meeting needs of the community.
· The library identifies and pursues alternative sources of financial support in order to supplement the funding provided by the state and county and to enhance the library’s ability to meet the information and learning needs of the community.
Background
Libraries have become more than just a repository for books or even CDs, DVDs, and tapes. They exist to meet the information needs of the community … whatever form those needs take. Lifelong learning is a way of life for many in our community. As the county’s population demographics change over time, the needs of the community will change. The library’s challenge is to continually anticipate these needs and meet them.
Objectives
a. Implement a bookmobile program that is fully staffed and funded, and is fulfilling the library needs of the King George outlying and underserved areas, by June 2009 as the first step in creating and staffing an Outreach Services Department.
Strategy 1: Develop a plan and timetable for acquiring, parking, and maintaining the vehicle by May 2007.
Strategy 2: Develop a plan for equipping the bookmobile (shelving, books, and computers) including identifying necessary funding by May 2007.
Strategy 3: Develop a rationale for defining bookmobile service routes and stops by May 2007.
b. Update and distribute a handout/brochure that informs library’s patrons on the methods and processes to obtain the materials and services required for them to pursue their individual information and learning needs by June 2007.
Strategy 1: Post brochure on web site by February 2007.
Strategy 2: Upgrade the library web site – in conjunction with the King George County web site - to improve interaction with patrons by January 2007.
Background
The library wants to meet the information needs of all segments of the community. To do this, we need to present appropriate programs and services and we need to inform members of the community of our offerings. When we are successful in doing this, the community will turn to the library and view it as a cultural center.
Objectives
a. Develop a communication/marketing plan to inform the community of the library’s current and future-planned programs and range of services by October 2006.
Strategy 1: Prepare and execute Request for Proposal (RFP) for community survey, including developing list of possible respondents and ensuring county funding by 1 September 2006.
Strategy 2: Prepare annual cycle of community events (e.g., Builder’s Show, Fall Festival, Relay for Life, Back to School Nights, etc.) and plan for Library presence at select events by 15 August 2006.
b. Increase the number of programs offered to one per month by December 2007
Strategy 1: Define audience(s) for programs taking into account the diversity of the local community and prepare a plan to address each by 1 December 2006.
Strategy 2: Work with KG Historical Society and other community groups to identify opportunities for them to present programs and develop a program schedule by 1 December 2006.
Background
As we look at the services that the community will expect in the future and the ever changing state of technology, we acknowledge that we will have to maintain a staff of the appropriate size and expertise. This will be a continuing challenge and will require us to continually develop our current staff and recruit to fill emerging requirements.
Objectives:
a. Develop and execute a 5-year staffing plan that corresponds to the library plan to provide services and programs in all age groups (including the bookmobile) by 1 February 2007.
Strategy 1: Document a sequencing plan for new hires for the next five years by
1 August 2006 and incorporate costs of increased staff into library budget by 1 October 2006.
Strategy 2: Contact local groups and community colleges and develop a library plan for services and programs by 1 February 2007.
b. Develop a career development plan for all full time and part-time library employees by 1 September 2006 and increase the number of continuing education opportunities for all staff to support plan.
Strategy 1: Develop a statement of career development needs for each employee (e.g., a career development plan, CDP) that links to the staffing plan by 1 September 2006.
Strategy 2: Develop a list of courses and opportunities available to meet employee career development needs and incorporate appropriate training line in budget by 1 October 2006.
Background
The information needed by the community to meet its learning needs comes in many forms and is accessed in a variety of ways. The library needs to adopt the technology needed to present this information to all segments of the community. This includes directly providing access to those members of the community who don’t have the technology in their homes. There is an associated requirement for space within the library if the desired program and services are to be provided. Planning must be done if these requirements are to be met in the short term and to ensure that our future expansion meets the future needs of the community.
Objectives
a. Develop a modernization and utilization plan for the present library buildings (including the Cartwright property) by October 2006.
Strategy 1: Develop a plan for the usage of the Cartwright property by
30 September 2006 and present to BOT at October 2006 meeting.
Strategy 2: Library Director develops a plan to improve utilization of library space by December 2006.
Strategy 3: Create a database to catalog all library equipment (shelving, computers, internet service providers, etc.) and plant items (furnace, etc.), showing year purchased, repairs made, vendor servicing the items by December 2006.
b. Achieve an expanded library building that is traced back to the survey of King George citizens’ needs and interests, the architectural and engineering plan, the direction of the Board of Supervisors, and the approved building plan while maintaining our reputation as a neighborhood-friendly partner by 30 June 2012
Strategy 1: Identify architects who have experience designing libraries in Virginia and Maryland by October 2006.
Strategy 2: Identify libraries built or renovated in Virginia in the last five years by October 2006.
Strategy 3: Prepare Request for
Proposal for architectural and
engineering study (Phase 1) and provide
to county by 1 November 2006.
Background
In addition to making a concerted effort to assess community needs, we will continue to work with the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission to propose and get approval for a Capital Improvement Project within the current planning window (2006-2011). Our past proposals have included early investment in planning and architectural design studies. We intend to use our own money, as needed, to fund the initial studies in order to advance our proposal through the county capital improvement process. We invested some of our bequest in the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region. The Foundation provides assistance in fundraising and we will use them to identify alternate sources of funding to help pay for part of the library expansion project.
Objectives
a. Facilitate the establishment of a Friends of the Library group that is fully staffed, operational, and supporting the goals and objectives of the Board of Trustees and the Library Director by 1 October 2006.
Strategy 1: Set up a strategic plan and organizational by-laws and initiate the process to establish required legal framework by 1 August 2006.
Strategy 2: Recruit members that reflect community diversity and hold the first FOL meeting by 1 October 2006.
b. Activate and fully engage the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region as a partner and source of fundraising by September 2006.
Strategy 1: Develop a list of potential donors by 1 September 2006.
Strategy 2: Draft a fundraising strategic plan to be presented to the Board of Trustees at the August 2006 meeting.
We have a plan for the future of Smoot Library that includes both extension of services to all parts of King George County (with a bookmobile) and expanded services at the main library. We have proposed a Capital Improvement Project to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors each of the last few years. When the Cartwright property – the only property onto which expansion is possible – became available, we used our own money to buy the property to ensure that future expansion would remain an option.
We have met with the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission to discuss our view of the future and to solicit their support as we move forward. While we have our own ideas about the programs and services that the library should provide, we will work with the community to assess the needs. We will do this in a number of ways including a community survey and meetings with community groups. We will meet with and engage Library building consultants to help us in this effort. Our goal is to build a comprehensive set of requirements that architects can use to help us develop building expansion alternatives.
Each of the standing committees has assumed responsibility for one or more of our strategic goals and has developed the strategies presented above. The Board of Trustees is committed to review progress on a quarterly basis and to review and revise strategies annually. We will report to the Board of Supervisors on a regular basis and continue to solicit their support of our plan.
