Nearly a year after beginning an evaluation to gauge how the Mahomet Public Library might better serve patrons, the library staff has begun to implement a three-year plan to improve library products and services.
With the support of community leaders, the Mahomet Public Library received 871 completed surveys, representing 6.9% of the library’s district. Forty-four percent of the submitted surveys were completed by patrons who visit the library at least once a month.
The library, once located on Main Street, moved to the east side of the Village on IL RT 150 four years ago. The new 13,000 square foot building allows the library to offer more products and services to patrons, but with ever changing technologies and Village demographics, the library staff and board were curious as to how they could involve more of the community.
Results of the survey indicated that community members would like to see an increase of materials available at the library and through online library services, such as Zinio Magazine, 3M Cloud Books and My Media Mall.
“We are so fortunate in the southern half of the state, which is the Illinois Heartland Library System, we have some consortia that enables us to get a better price for access to almost everything we get,” Librarian Lynn Schmidt said.
Schmidt reported that Mahomet ranks fourth in Zinnio magazine use in the area. The three libraries above Mahomet are very large libraries.
“The data shows our patrons use a lot of technology,” ,” she continued. “We are a well-educated community.”
The Mahomet Public Library felt the demand for technology-based services increase when the Champaign and Urbana Public Libraries no longer allowed Mahomet residents to use their library card at those locations. Although Mahomet residents want the services and products larger libraries can afford, Mahomet operates on a much smaller budget.
In order to keep up with patron needs and ever-changing technologies, the Mahomet Public Library’s plan seeks to establish long-term growth by establishing education for staff, ongoing outreach to the community and an advisory committee to raise funds to sustain the library.
Currently, library funds come from district taxes, private donations, grants and fundraisers through Friends of the Library. When the new building was approved on the election ballot, there was also a request to increase property taxes to cover expenses associated with operating the new building. Because the request was not passed, the library recently had to go into reserves to cover operating costs.
The advisory committee will not only talk about how to market the libraries services, but also come up with a fundraising plan to make sure the library does not have to use reserves in the future.
Within the 2014-2015 budget, which ends in June, the library has established immediate changes to accommodate other patron needs. In September, the library extended weekend operating hours.
Patrons also expressed the need for additional meeting space within the library. Currently, the Edgar Room, the largest meeting room in the building, is used most weeknights by civic organizations in Mahomet. The smaller meeting room is available for use by appointment throughout the day.
Library staff recognized the need for student study space during finals week, and now reserves the Edgar Room for students during Finals Week.
The Mahomet Public Library will also unveil a new website at the end of December. Designed by Surface 51, the website will bring the library’s physical and online collection to life through easy browsing access, but will also highlight services such as Pickup Lockers and Homebound Delivery.
Patrons also noted that they would like to see additional programs available at the library. Youth Services Librarian Neal Schlein plans to survey guests at Make-and-Take Ornaments on Saturday to see what types of programs would be appropriate for various age groups.
While the library has tried to implement some plans immediately, they also know there is room for growth over the next few years. With brimming technological advances, the staff knows they will not only have to implement training for their employees, but also budget for devices and building additions years down the road.
