Definition: The resources you need to explore topics of personal interest and continue to learn throughout your life are at your library.
Goal 1
- From X-Change – The Library offers topics in a variety of up-to-date formats and technologies that are useful to all ages.
- A rewrite to consider: People at every age explore their interests using the variety of information at the library.
Goal 2 from X-Change -- The community uses the library as a resource for introductions to an assortment of cultural, civic and/or community interests.
Do these address the definition of this response? What wording can we consider to create the balance we've been discussing?
I attended a session at OLA titled, 20 to 30 Year Olds @ Your Library. They had great ideas of how to get this population back into the library through programming, such as cooking classes (ex. Sushi) and crafts. Often people stop going to the library when they are out of school and come back when they have kids to bring to the library. I think we need more continual learning programs to get this age group back into the library. Maybe that's an age group we can focus on.
Nice to 'see' you here Melissa! The good thing about using the language in the goal that doesn't specify an age group is that all ages are options to focus on.
Below are some attempts at stating the goals based on the given definitions while allowing for the various methods of measurements that have been discussed.
Goal 1: Libraries provide opportunities for users of all ages to explore interests and to experience lifelong learning.
Goal 2 was more of a challenge to be able to word it in such a way that it balanced the methods of measurement. It still really doesn't resonate with me, but I was not able to develop a better statement.
Goal 2: Libraries are centers in which users can experience civic, cultural, and community opportunities.
Several methods of measurement can be used with each goal. Looking at pure numbers, we can measure how many programs and resources are offered in these areas.
Looking at it less quantitatively, we can also look at how libraries are implementing these goals. For example, at Midwest City Library we are exploring the implementation of a Young Musicians' Series. High school and college musicians will be invited to perform once a month at the library, and local professional musicians will be invited to perform once a quarter. The development of such series could be said to meet either of the above goals.
To measure from the library user's perspective, we can use surveys conducted by phone and given at the end of programs. To bring in a human element we can add the stories and comments from users.
I have enjoyed reading the comments from everyone, and I hope to be able to read many more!
Tracey,
Thank you for your suggestions! I, too, have enjoyed reading the comments from those who've participated.
Sometimes I fear we can focus too much on what we do rather than the value or impact to those who receive. With that in mind what about language like the following for goal 1?
Goal 1: People at every age explore their interests using the variety of information at the library.