GPL's November Newsletter
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From the Director: Strategic Plan 2023
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2019 marks the end of the library’s current strategic plan which was implemented in 2016. We have spent the past few months gathering and analyzing information from surveys, interviews, statistics and observations. Our next step is to put into writing a new plan that will help guide our library service through 2023.
Creating a strategic plan, a document which articulates focus areas and goals for library service, can seem a daunting task, but in fact it is a process as familiar as planning a family vacation. Vacation plans almost always start with envisioning a destination. We consider where do we want to be and what will we do when we get there but we can only make our choice when we determine what our priorities are for this trip. Only then do we focus on the daily itinerary of our vacation.
For the library, these same steps are the foundation of the service we will create in the coming years. We know we want to be a flourishing and essential part of our community. This is our vision. Our mission is to be a source of learning, literacy, discovery and delight that enriches lives and strengthens our community. That is what we do. Our priorities include being welcoming, respecting diversity, providing opportunity, creating relationships and being accountable. Having determined this, we can focus on the areas of library service that best serve our community with opportunities to learn, discover and grow.
Some people say the most fun part of a vacation is planning the trip. I think the same can be said about strategic planning because this is the part of the process when dreams for the future of our organization and our community take shape. In short, this is the time when we can think, ‘yes, this is possible’.
Our course to the future has been set by our expiring strategic plan and will be furthered by the new one which we expect to complete in the coming months. Thanks to all respondents to our survey we have ample feedback about what our community values and wants from its library. I have no doubt that with our new strategic plan we will continue to provide exceptional library service to Greenburgh residents.
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Our 2019 Community Survey asked what people value most about the Greenburgh Library and one thing that consistently came up was how much people truly value reference and research assistance from librarians (coming in third, only behind the ability to borrow materials, and programs) as well as the great customer service they receive from all of our dedicated staff (90% of you rated our service as Good or Excellent). We hear you and we feel the love!
Many of our staff
have dedicated their library service to the Greenburgh community for decades now, and
their work
has built the strong foundation on which we serve. Over the last couple of years we’ve had quite a few new additions to our GPL team, and there will be several more coming in 2020. If you haven’t gotten a chance to meet many of these new faces yet, let us take a moment to introduce you (click their photos to learn more!):
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Cafe Construction Starts Soon!
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Construction on the library’s new first floor cafe area will begin soon! As an increasing number of patrons spend more hours in our beautiful study spaces, we are responding to the need for more appropriate seating areas for eating and snacks (which are not allowed on the second floor).
Around December 1st construction will begin, with the cafe area slated to open in late winter or early spring next year. We are working hard to make sure disruptions to your regular library routines are kept to a minimum, however you should expect that noise on the first floor may increase, and the library’s first floor computer lab will also be closed for the duration of the project.
Stay tuned for updates regarding this new space! We thank you for your patience.
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This smash hit from Jennifer Weiner is a decade sprawling, coming of age, feminist power pack of a read. As you follow the lives of Detroit sisters Jo and Bethie you’ll not only laugh and probably bawl your eyes out, you may also start asking yourself “What truly makes a life and legacy?” I highly recommend it!
-Megan, Adult Services
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This riveting novel, set in the early 1960's follows two young boys incarcerated in a juvenile detention center in Florida. The story is based on a real reform school that operated under horrific conditions with rippling effects for inmates and their families to this day.
-Christina, Administration
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Elton John's favorite party gift to give or send to friends, D.V., is the autobiography of Vreeland's illustrious life. From her childhood in Paris in the early 1900's to becoming the top fashion editor for Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Full of hilarious, quirky moments and bygone grandeur.
-Kate, Senior Services
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The story follows a half-deer half-human adolescent by the name of Gus, in post apocalyptic America, where circumstances force him to leave the safety and seclusion of his deep woods cabin where he and his father live. Out of his cabin and into this "Mad Max-like" America, Gus encounters lots of strange things and folks. Lemire's raw illustrations and minimalist writing evokes haunting feelings of solitude and fear of the unknown. An emotionally engaging comic book that, for me, was a real page turner.
-Antonio, Teen Services
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We would like to extend a huge Thank You to the Friends of the Greenburgh Library, for all of their hard work in organizing and running another wildly successful annual book sale, last month. They are a huge supporter of the library’s excellent programming and we could not do what we do without their generous contributions or yours!
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Your responses to the 2019 Community Survey overwhelming showed how important access to vibrant and diverse materials (especially books!) and the ability to borrow those materials is-- Over 90% of you rated this as important or very important!
Whether you are looking for the hottest best sellers, books in spanish, titles by local authors, compelling graphic novels, or eAudio for listening on the go, we make it our business to have something for everyone.
We’d like to know just a little more about what your reading preferences currently are. If you’re willing, please take a moment to fill out this follow up reader interest survey, it should take 2-5 minutes. This will allow us to keep providing you with the books
you want to read!
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GPL Hours:
Monday: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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Reference USA
is an online business and consumer information service which offers access to over 24 million businesses and 262 million consumers. Use it to look for sales leads, find new business opportunities, conduct market research, locate out of town companies, find executive names/titles and conduct job searches.
Please note: a Greenburgh Public Library card is required for at home access.
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This newsletter is made possible through the valuable contributions of the entire library staff. We extend a special thanks to this month’s contributors John Sexton and Christina Linder. Editorial and layout contributions by Megan Fenton and Christa O’Sullivan.
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