Paw Paw Library

Paw Paw Public Library District

Phone: (815) 627-9396

Fax: (815) 627-3707

pawpawlibrary@gmail.com

Paw Paw Public Library District Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028

Introduction

Paw Paw Public Library District has been a vital part of the community since 1936. Local support has allowed the library to grow and evolve in order to meet the needs of the people of the district. The following plan will guide the library’s efforts to continue serving the needs of its patrons and the community.

Community Needs and Goals

Paw Paw Public Library District (PPPLD) started work on its 2024-2028 long-range plan in January 2024 by collecting data, information and input. At regularly scheduled monthly meetings, library staff and board members reviewed the previous long-range plan and discussed PPPLD’s successes and challenges with the goals laid out in that plan. Staff and board members also looked at library attendance, circulation and program statistics as well as community demographics and data from similar-sized libraries. Other rural and small libraries’ data offered insight into trends occurring across the country. Through this collection and study of information, staff has determined three main goals for this plan and developed a mission statement.

Goal 1
Library staff will continue be involved and visible in activities throughout PPPLD’s service area

A) Objective
Increase use of the library as a community gathering place

Activities
1. In collaboration with the Village and the Village Board members, update and renew the shared gathering place
2. Continue library sponsored and hosted interest groups, i.e. gardening, book club, history clubs, summer reading, etc.

B) Objective
Maintain the library’s existing partnerships and seek out additional ones with community entities

Activities
1. Continue story times for local daycares and young children of the community
2. Encourage staff and library board members to be library champions at community activities
3. Offer library card sign-up
4. Provide library activities in conjunction with Village events, Paw Paw Schools and TRIBE 61353

C) Objective
Employ a variety of tools/sources to provide information about PPPLD’s services and materials

Activities
1. Continue developing website and other marketing tools including newsletter and handouts while also evaluating the effectiveness of each tool
2. Increase online presence and promote new PPPLD website

Goal 2
Update and increase library’s services and materials for the entire service community

Objective
Increase interactions among different ages and demographics and the Equity Diverse and Inclusion population
1. Continue adding new books to the children’s section with the help of our yearly
Barnes & Nobles fundraiser and sell/donate outdated editions
2. Heavily weed the adult nonfiction to be able to make more room for the Young
Adult books into more assessable areas
3. Continue to add a variety of graphic novels for teens and continue to grow the
current selection for young adults and children

Goal 3
Remain a technology resource for the community

Objective
Provide access, share resources and offer help with current and future technologies

Activities
1. Add computers and update operational software on existing units
2. Continue offering technology assistance

Policies

• ALA Freedom to Read Statement
• ALA Library Bill of Rights
• Collection Development Policy
• Patron Conduct
• Public Comment

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Information:

1. Please make your request for the records in writing. The Paw Paw Public Library District does not require the completion of a standard form for this purpose. You may submit your written request by mail, fax, or email. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests may be made to the Library Director. Please use FOIA in the subject line if emailing your request, which can be sent to pawpawlibrary@gmail.com. Please direct your written or mailed request to:
   • FOIA OfficerPaw Paw Public Library District362 Chicago RoadPO Box 362Paw Paw, Il 61353

     Email: pawpawlibrary@gmail.com

     Fax: 815-627-3707

2. Please be as specific as possible when describing the records, you are seeking. Remember, the Freedom of Information Act is designed to allow you to inspect or receive copies of records. It is not designed to require a public body to answer questions. To the extent that you wish to ask questions of a representative of the Paw Paw Public Library District, you may call the library at 815-627-9396, to be directed to the proper person.
3. Please tell us whether you would like printed or electronic copies of the requested records, or whether you wish to examine the records in person. You have the right to either option.
4. There is no fee for up to 50 pages of standard paper copies. For pages beyond 50, there is a 15¢ per page per charge.
5. The Library has up to five business days (Mondays through Fridays, unless a federal holiday) or twenty-one business days, depending upon the purpose of the request, to respond.
6. Requests of information for commercial purposes must be identified as such.
7. You are permitted to ask for a waiver of copying fees. To do so, please include the following statement (or similar statement) in your written FOIA request: “I request a waiver of all fees associated with this request.” In addition, you must include a specific explanation as to why your request for information is in the public interest-not simply your personal interest-and merits a fee waiver.
8. Please include your name, preferred telephone number(s), mailing address and if you wish your electronic mail address.

FOIA Request

Paw Paw Public Library District Board of Trustees