Date: July 10, 2020
Mission
The East Lansing Public Library provides a place and resources where people gather to share information and ideas to enrich lives and foster community.
Vision
The East Lansing Public Library enriches, connects and transforms lives through knowledge and innovation.
Core Values
- Accessibility
- Community
- Innovation
- Knowledge
Accessibility
- Adopt an Antiracism statement—staff, volunteers sign statement
- Create an Antiracism Transformation Team with staff
- Rethink and adopt policies that are equitable and serve all people of our community
- Assess and adjust job requirements to create more opportunities and remove barriers to entry, as well as, advertise and recruit positions in diverse spaces
- Install and activate the D-Tech International lockers
- Install new sidewalk and make the south end ramp ADA compliant—remove trees that are buckling the sidewalk and replace with trees that have smaller root system
- Continue to build a collection that is diverse and accessible, and make collection purchasing decisions through lenses of racial diversity and inclusivity by ensuring the LGBTQIA+ community; refugees and immigrants; persons with disabilities; students; and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are represented in our collection in honest and relevant ways
- Maintain the library as an anonymous and safe space
- Analyze how the curbside pickup and materials by mail services are working, tweak them to be more efficient
- Implement the Pop-up Mobile Library
Community
- Reopen the library to the public in phases and as safely as possible
- Continue to develop strategies for serving the community during the pandemic
- Partner with Michigan State University in reimagining One Book, One Community—develop a series of programs on curated exhibits and a Michigan author series
- Upgrade security system and install new cameras
- Resurface main parking lot and circle drive—cut 25% of curve out of circle drive so trucks can make the turn better
- Install new roof in large section of the westside of the roof
- Install a new HVAC system
- Work on phase one of the children’s garden (in conjunction with the sidewalk replacement)
- Facilitate open dialog on matters of race, equity and inclusion for staff and the community
- Create a strong collaboration and partnership with the community and the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director in any interactions regarding issues of diversity and equity ensuring that we are reflective and responsive to the needs of our community and patrons.
- Begin a new strategic planning process
- Develop outside storytimes that can be done with physical distancing
- Offer a virtual Social Justice Reading Group (ages 4-11)
- Seek out and apply for grants where appropriate
- Create a standardized, easy to use, and easy to find request form for community groups to request a mobile library visit.--by the end of FY2021, at least four visits will be made
- Continue to offer outreach services at Burcham Hills, the Willows at East Lansing, East Glen apartments, and Bailey Center Apartments
- Continue partnership with the MSU writing center to offer the “community writing center” to our patrons and the community at large
- Host Books, Bites and Bids in April of 2021—if safe to gather
- Recruit and train volunteers
Innovation
- Continue to develop and offer virtual storytimes, teen time and book discussions
- Continue to schedule and promote local “celebrity” storytimes
- Develop new virtual programming for patrons on technology help/training, science, coding, racial healing programs and more
- Continue to develop and create programming that is diverse and inclusive
- Conduct Summer Reading Program online via Wandoo Reader
- Research replacing some of the older 3D printers
- Implement Bibliocommons app
Knowledge
- Increase our training on equity, diversity and inclusion for staff and actively participate in the City of East Lansing’s training workshops
- Hold ourselves accountable for treating all people with respect and dignity, and provide resources and support to businesses, organizations, community members and patrons who are making the same commitments
- Work with the East Lansing Public Schools and area non public schools to help reach students who need homework help/tutors and resources
- Actively promote digital resources that will help teachers and students both in the classroom and learning from home
- Support and work with the East Lansing Public Schools and area non-public schools as they adapt to new educational modalities (provide homework packets to students, provide subject matter resources)
- Continue to offer a social justice book club for adult readers
