Chat With Skye
Your Voice, Your Library, Your Community
In an endeavor to understand the many communities that make up Los Angeles County, our director Skye Patrick decided to visit the libraries directly and host open and honest discussions with customers and stakeholders. We received a lot of feedback through the town-hall style meetings, through our online feedback forms and through the feedback boards posted at local libraries. Listed below are the action items we have identified based on the feedback received through the community visioning sessions.
2017 Action Items Based on Community Visioning Session Feedback*
Executed
Work in Progress
Planned or Phased Implementation
*Based on feedback received from September 2016 to November 2016
Your Voice, Your Library, Your Community
In an endeavor to understand the many communities that make up Los Angeles County, our director Skye Patrick decided to visit the libraries directly and host open and honest discussions with customers and stakeholders. We received a lot of feedback through the town-hall style meetings, through our online feedback forms and through the feedback boards posted at local libraries. Listed below are the action items we have identified based on the feedback received through the community visioning sessions.
2017 Action Items Based on Community Visioning Session Feedback*
Executed
Work in Progress
Planned or Phased Implementation
Education
Expanded Literacy Programming
The Library is in the process of implementing mobile literacy services and the addition of Family Place libraries. The Library will also continue to support its Spanish language literacy program and develop two Teen & Adult Literacy Lab (TALL) locations which will offer classroom and small group instruction for adult literacy and ESL
Establish a Mentoring & Tutoring
The Library will work with other County departments as partners to develop an in-person, intergenerational mentoring and tutoring program. The Library will continue to support its online Live Homework Help program, which offers free one-on-one tutoring, homework help, and workforce development with professional experts in the field
Expand School Partnerships
The Library has committed to be part of the White House ConnectED Library Challenge and through this effort will be reaching out to schools to ensure youth receive library cards and knowledge of the resources available to them at County public libraries.
STEAM Programs
In addition to the hundreds of STEAM programs hosted at libraries each year, the Library was just awarded $80,000 from Southern California Edison to implement even more programs. The Library is having employees trained to conduct STEAM programs and education for youth in a self-sufficient and sustainable manner.
Expand Career Training & Counseling
The Library will continue to offer high quality resources for workforce development, including courses on popular career topics through Lynda.com, Universal Class, and Gale Courses, and resume review and interview preparation assistance from qualified experts through tutor.com. Adult learners can earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate through the Library Career Online High School program. The Library is currently seeking out funding to expand this program to more participants.
Life Skills Programs for Teens
The Library received a $75,000 grant two years ago to implement a life skills program for teens called Adult 101. We have implemented the program and are working to expand its reach. In addition, the Library offers classes in personal safety and bullying prevention.
Market College Prep Classes
Libraries throughout our system routinely offer SAT/ACT test prep classes. Additionally, our online service, tutor.com, also has test prep programs, which students can access in the library or from home for free. The Library will be looking at ways to expand its marketing efforts around these available services so more people are aware of the offerings. It will also explore adding additional in-person workshops and trainings.
Education on Technology – Library Website Demo
The Library is currently revamping its website. When complete, the Library will develop a demo video to educate customers on how to navigate the new website and access information.
Increase Program Frequency For All Ages
The Library is launching a program planning tool to assist libraries with assessing programming needs in each community, which will help prioritize program offerings. The Library will continue to expand its current offering of programs, with particular attention to customers with special needs, the business community, and cross generational offerings.
Develop Reading Habits with Book Clubs & Summer Reading
Develop Reading Habits with Book Clubs & Summer Reading” alt=”The Library offers an annual summer reading program, book club kits for librarians to borrow and use with youth, regular book club programs held in Probation camps, and program support resources for staff such as storytime kits and book party kits.
Foreign Language Classes
The Library will continue to support and expand the promotion of online language learning through its high-quality Mango and PowerSpeak programs; it will explore offering in-person language instruction as a part of the offerings of the TALL (Teen & Adult Literacy Labs) in development.
Digital Library
Update computing technology – computers, laptops
The Library continually works to keep our computer technology and programs updated and has location-based rollouts planned for the next several months.
Wi-Fi – Access and Printing
The Library has a planned rollout of Wi-Fi access and printing at all library locations.
Tablet/Kindle Accessibility for patrons & homebound seniors
Home access for an early learning program called ABC Mouse will be launched in March. Several libraries will also have early learning tablets available for customers to use in the library.
Interactive Live-Streaming of Events
The Library is working on a videoconferencing solution that can be deployed remotely to any of our libraries.
New Library Website
The Library will be revamping its website as well as improving ADA accessibility.
Digitization of Local Materials – Newspapers
In 2017, the Library will complete an inventory of all local newspapers housed in collection. Potential digitization projects will be evaluated based on copyright holder and completeness of holdings. In 2018, the Library will begin work on identifying funds to either purchase necessary equipment to complete digitization in-house, or send materials to third-party vendors for digitization.
Update Library Mobile App
Update the app to allow electronic library card/bar code (similar to CVS app). The Library is installing new 2D barcode scanner devices that can read smart phones at our self-service kiosks and staff service desks.
Building & Facilities
Hybrid Learning Settings
The Library is working on acquiring video conferencing capabilities to make in-person, live-streamed, and web learning possible.
More Space
The Library is sensitive to the needs of the diverse demographic it serves and strives to create a welcoming environment for all customers. With Library programming being the priority, space modifications will be addressed based on need, available funding, and as space permits. Currently, the Library has four locations undergoing renovations that will receive quiet/study rooms at completion.
Modernize Facilities
Modernization has been taking place at recent library openings and refurbishments; plans are being put into place for other locations to become modernized and accessible based on needs and available funding. Currently, seven locations are undergoing renovations to modernize the facility and, where able, provide more space
Safety – Better security, address vandalism
The Library has recently increased its security coverage at specific locations through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Additionally, Safety Assessments are being performed and will be ongoing for the next 1-2 years. Graffiti abatement is performed on an ongoing basis and options are being explored to feasibly decrease this type of vandalism. New lighting is also being installed to brighten up facilities.
More Parking
For new constructions, the Library determines parking based on the size of the library structure. The Library’s ability to expand in existing locations is limited and will be addressed based on available funding and as space permits. There are currently three projects taking place that, by completion, will increase available parking at the project locations.
Expand Battery Recycling
There are currently 21 designated library facilities supporting the Household Battery Recycling Program administered through Los Angeles County Public Works. A rollout of larger replacement containers in existing locations will be taking place this summer. The Library will discuss with Public Works the possibility of expanding the program to more of our locations.
Easy Access for Differently-abled
The Library has made efforts to remove barriers for the differently-abled at several facilities by installing sliding glass doors, providing ADA accessible restrooms, and installing ramps. The Library continues to work on providing better access in our other facilities based on urgency and available funding. Currently, nine locations are undergoing renovations to provide ADA compliant restrooms, pathways, and access.
More Budget
The Public Library continues to explore long-term strategies to ensure adequate funding for current and future programming, including the pursuit of grant funds for mobile services.
Creativity
Community Spaces, Social Engagement, Meeting Place
By the end of this year, all libraries will have Family Place areas for parents and young children to use and support parent/child engagement. In addition, several libraries will be updating their teen spaces. The Library will continue to serve as an important community space and will explore ways to increase access of meeting spaces for community groups.
Expanding Arts, Music and Crafts
The Library will continue to offer and explore ways to expand its programming related to the arts. Currently, the Library is incorporating artwork into new and refurbished locations, providing workshops for youth and adults, and exploring partnerships to provide additional arts education and programming.
Expanding Cultural Programs
The Library is launching a program planning tool to assist libraries with assessing programming needs in each community, helping to expand the Library’s offerings of cultural programs and enhance the offerings of our four Cultural Resource Centers.
Expanding Homebound Services
The Library will expand the promotion of its Books by Mail service for homebound customers and will explore other ways of serving this community.
Career Fairs
The Library will explore partnering with other County Departments and community nonprofits to host career fairs; it will continue its participation in Career Fairs hosted by other agencies.
Community
Expanded Library Hours
The Library is currently working to expand library days and hours of service for a majority of its locations.
Resources for Homeless
In collaboration with Los Angeles County’s Homeless Initiative, the Library will provide resources and information on services for the homeless, including youth outreach services with the County’s Department of Mental Health.
Expand Utilization of Partnerships
The Library will expand partnerships with other Los Angeles County departments, non-profits, and corporate entities to provide relevant and enhanced services to customers.
Expanded Literacy Programming
The Library is in the process of implementing mobile literacy services and the addition of Family Place libraries. The Library will also continue to support its Spanish language literacy program and develop two Teen & Adult Literacy Lab (TALL) locations which will offer classroom and small group instruction for adult literacy and ESL
Senior Friendly Environment and Services
In collaboration with AARP and Workforce Development and Community Services, the Library will be training senior citizens to tutor school aged children and will mentor young adults to be their reading buddies. The young adults will be trained to teach seniors how to use their digital devices. In addition, the Library is serving on a county wide committee called Purposeful Aging to collaborate with other County Departments to increase services to seniors.
Promote Volunteer Opportunities
The Library will increase the visibility of volunteer opportunities, especially opportunities specific to certain library locations, as well as inform patrons on how to apply to volunteer.
Expand & Refresh Collection
The Library will begin assessing allocation for replacement/refresh needs at the libraries. Then, the Library will implement a plan to streamline the process for libraries to easily identify potential replacement candidates in their collections.
Diverse Staff
TThe Library will look at the possibility of expanding recruiting efforts to onboard staff at all levels and from all backgrounds.
Remove Language Barrier
The Library will also continue to support its Leamos Spanish language literacy program and develop two Teen & Adult Literacy Lab (TALL) locations which will offer classroom and small group instruction for adult literacy and ESL. The Library will continue to offer conversation clubs and other programs to support English language learners.
Better Signage
Every effort will be made to use existing funding for refreshes and emphasis will be given to ensure signage is appropriate. Currently, five locations are undergoing improvements to exterior signage.
Checkable Book Bags
The Library is currently researching feasible options for bags patrons may use when checking out library materials.
Simple Return Procedures
The Library will develop a customer feedback survey to determine where service improvements are needed. The Library is also exploring options to install book kiosks in particular locations and expand our books-by-mail program.
Reading Recommendations
The ability to obtain recommendations currently exists on the Overdrive (eBook, eAudio) platform, as well as in our online patron catalog through our NoveList service. The Library is also exploring the possibility of implementing recommendations through our self-checkout kiosks.
*Based on feedback received from September 2016 to November 2016