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The Santa Rosa County Library System annually applies for and receives the State Aid to Libraries grant through the Florida Division of Library and Information Services, and is again eligible to receive the award.
According to an agreement between Santa Rosa County and the Department of State, the estimated grant award for the 2017-2018 fiscal year is $52,386, which is based on local expenditures for public library services and equates to approximately $0.03 for every $1 spent by Santa Rosa County Library System. The Board of Santa Rosa County Commissioners approved the agreement Sept. 14.
Should the library fail to provide free library service to the public or to be open for at least 40 hours per week, it will no longer be eligible to receive State Aid to Libraries grant funding, and its funding will be reduced to zero, according to the agreement.
One of the requirements for the grant is to submit a five-year strategic plan that outlines the system’s operation and is developed from input provided by the community, surveys and library staff. The Santa Rosa County Library System Strategic Plan for 2018-2023 comprises their vision and mission statement, a survey from July 2017 done on 582 residents, and a list of six aspects that need improving.
“Santa Rosa County Library System's mission is to be a gateway to the heritage of the past and to the promise of the future, offering opportunities for enrichment and discovery through broad resources, knowledgeable staff, courteous service, and comfortable, friendly, and safe library environments,” the plan said.
According to the survey, the most important library services for county residents are online services (such as the website, catalog and research databases), borrowing materials (books, DVDs and music), internet access and inter-library loan. The plan set several goals for the next five years for library collections, library facilities, library technology, library/community partnerships, library service and library programs.
The library system plans on exploring library expansion and construction options in the upcoming years, including a new meeting room at the Pace Library, an expansion of the Navarre Library and new construction at the libraries in Milton and Jay. They plan on exploring new technology options and creating a portable technology lab using laptop computers, tablets and other portable devices that can be used at all library locations to teach basic classics, according to the plan.
The library system will form partnerships with community groups such as the chambers of commerce, local schools, homeschooling groups, county departments, state agencies, historical societies, military bases and the Department of Social Services.
To improve service, the library system plans to hire one additional employee for each library, hire one library assistant “floater” to meet the needs of libraries that are short-staffed, hire an experienced genealogy coordinator, increase library hours, provide training for library staff to stay abreast of new technology and trends, provide training in library customer service and safety for all library employees, hold quarterly all-staff meetings to foster teamwork and sharing of ideas, provide continuing education and training opportunities for managers and provide continuing education and training for library administration staff.
“We will provide resources to reinforce the school system’s science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) initiatives,” the plan said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: County library system receives state grant, eyes expansion