CORE VALUES
CLA unites the “library community” which consists of
librarians,library support staff, library trustees and library supporters, by recruiting and supporting members.
GOAL:
The library community will benefit from active membership in CLA.
OBJECTIVE: By 2003, CLA’s membership will increase by 10%.
WHO: Office and Membership
WHEN: Monitored every year in June
OBJECTIVE: The average CLA membership retention rate will be 85%.
WHO: Office and Membership
WHEN: Monitored every June
Action Ideas: Ask for suggestion, “how we can serve you
better”, on membership forms.
OBJECTIVE:At least 90% of participants in CLA programs will evaluate their experience as valuable or very valuable on program evaluation forms.
WHO: Committee / Round Table presenting program and Office
WHEN: After every program sponsored by CLA, compiled by August and
presented to Board by September each year.
GOAL:
The membership of CLA will reflect the
diversity of the library community.
OBJECTIVE: By 2003, membership of school librarians will increase by at least 20%, membership of academic librarians will increase by at least 20%, and membership of special librarians will increase by at least 20%.
WHO:Membership
WHEN: Monitor progress every
June.
OBJECTIVE: CLA will recruit at least one member to the Executive Board from a large library (serving a population over 100,000) and a small library (serving a population of under 10,000).
WHO: Nominations, or Sections, or President
WHEN: Monitored every June
OBJECTIVE: By 2003, CLA will increase the number of members who are people of color and/or from other under represented groups of people by 20%.
WHO: Membership
WHEN: Monitored every June.
Action Ideas: Work with Black Caucus and REFORMA liaisons, find out how New Haven Public is recruiting.
OBJECTIVE: At least 30 people will attend outreach programs developed to involve isolated members of the library community.
WHO: Appropriate committee or section.
WHEN: 2000-2003
Action Ideas: Toll free telephone number.
OBJECTIVE: The number of participants in CLA’s mentoring program will double by 2003.
WHO: Mentoring Committee
WHEN: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Action Ideas for collegial support goal: Assist in developing local chat groups and list-serves so that librarians particularly in small libraries can tele-network. Publish a directory of “library specialists” in various fields (e.g. genealogy, technology, etc.) including retired librarians. Compile a list members with similar situations, interests, or problems. Organize social gatherings for informal networking. Have lists of members by different categories including type, size of population working with, specialty.
GOAL:
The structure of CLA will enable it to provide and develop effective leadership.
OBJECTIVE: By 2002, members will step forward for leadership positions in CLA, including a full roster of nominees for the annual election.
WHO: Procedures, Nominations.
WHEN: Beginning for the 2000 election.
Action Ideas: Form a task force to propose an alternate
organizational structure such as slate of nominees for office vs. election, or
to better address the need for public comment from the library community. Look at dues structure to encourage support
staff membership.
OBJECTIVE: 50% of students in MLS or LTA programs in Connecticut (our future leaders) will be members of CLA.
WHO: Recruitment , Membership
WHEN: Early Fall then monitored end of Spring
OBJECTIVE: By 2002, 5% of members not currently serving on the executive board will contribute ideas to guide the development of the next strategic plan for CLA.
WHO: Development
WHEN: 2001/02 year for input, 2002/03 to develop new plan.
GOAL: The library community will be able to articulate and feel confident about their roles in the changing social, technological and economic environment.
OBJECTIVE: By 2002, 80% of the members taking a satisfaction survey will indicate that their confidence level has improved or their stress level has decreased from the previous year.
WHO: All committees, round tables (programs to
meet the goal)
WHO: Development (Evaluation)
WHEN: Design survey for 2002 Annual conference
Action Ideas: Schedule at least one open meeting each year to discuss the current
status of the following concerns: education/continuous education for library staff, public perception of
libraries and library personnel, improved ways to meet the needs of information
consumers, the relationship with local, regional, state, and national organizations
that share values and goals similar to CLA, and the economic well being of
library personnel.
OBJECTIVE: CLA members will be able to refer to statements developed by or reviewed by CLA to assist them in responding to current issues facing the library community.
WHO: Related Committees, Sections, State Library
liaisons
WHEN: Each year
Action Ideas: Develop statements on resource sharing, customer service, etc.
GOAL:
The library community will be supported with
funds and legislation that ensure open access to information and exposure to
ideas for all citizens of Connecticut.
OBJECTIVE: The 2002/2003 biennial State Budget will include a 5% increase in funding for library services.
WHO: Legislative Committee, ACLU and Friend
liaisons
WHEN: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Legislative sessions
OBJECTIVE: By 2003, 95% of Connecticut’s libraries will meet or exceed the appropriate professionally approved set of standards.
WHO: Liaison representatives from State Library,
CEMA, SLA
WHEN: 2000-2003
GOAL:
The library community will be visible and
valued by those served.
OBJECTIVE: By 2003, at least 80% of Connecticut’s libraries will use some element of a statewide public relations plan developed by CLA.
WHO: Public Relations Committee
WHEN: 2000-2003
Action Ideas: Develop a plan that articulates the library’s place in advancing the educational,
cultural, recreational and economic, life of the state. PR plan to include assistance to libraries
in marketing their services and increasing funding at the local level—perhaps a
package for lobbying at the local level. How to tap community skills. Involve trustees and friends. CLA build partnerships with business, school, government organizations
so that these organizations will be aware of CLA and its values and
mission. Coordinate an effort to have library directional signs for all
public libraries in the state. Ad for every library in the yellow pages.
OBJECTIVE: By 2003, 95% of library salaries will meet and exceed
the minimum salary recommendations of CLA by 2003.
WHO: Personnel Committee, Public Relations Committee, ACLB and Friends
liaisons
WHEN: 2000-2003
OBJECTIVE: At least one specific population (e.g. business) will be targeted for a campaign to raise
awareness of the importance of libraries.
WHO: Public Relations, Related sections or committees
WHEN: 2000-2003
GOAL:
The library community will improve current skills and learn new skills in order to provide highest quality of library
service.
OBJECTIVE: 90% of all members will attend at least one workshop sponsored by CLA per year by 2003.
WHO: All committees, sections
WHEN: 2000-2003
OBJECTIVE: Attendance at CLA’s Annual meeting will increase by 5% each year.
WHO: Conference committee, Office
WHEN: 2000-2003
OBJECTIVE: By 2001, at least 5% of CLA’s budget will be allocated for financial assistance to members for continuous education each year.
WHO: Treasurer, PEG, Executive Board
WHEN: 2000-2003
OBJECTIVE: 90% of Connecticut’s libraries will have a line item in their budgets for continuous education by 2003.
WHO: Personnel, ACLB and Friends liaisons
WHEN: 2000-2003
Action Ideas for continuous education: establish formal relationships to foster
cooperation and collaboration with other professions which have expertise in
certain aspects of the library profession. CLA annual scholarship. Invite
institutions offering AS, BS, or MS degrees in library/information sciences to
make formal presentations to the library community. Collaborate with institutions offering degrees. More workshops for support staff.