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This is the Dickinson Memorial Library's newest strategic plan.
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Strategic Plan FY 2017 – FY2022
Dickinson Memorial Library FY2017-2022
Mission Statement
Community Description
Library History
Library Description
Planning Methodology
Assessment of Needs
Goals & Objectives FY2017-2022 Action Plan FY 2016
Acknowledgements
Mission Statement The Dickinson Memorial Library is essential to the vitality of the community, responding in a timely manner to the
townspeople’s informational, educational, cultural and
recreational needs. The Library provides carefully
selected print and non-print materials, offers programs
for children and adults, and assures that each patron is
served with enthusiasm and respect. It is the Library’s
mission to do this using the most up-to-date resources
and technology available without compromising the
historic integrity of our handsome 1897 granite building.
Community Description
The only town in Massachusetts situated on both sides of the Connecticut River, Northfield is a
rural community with an ideal location. It is a 20 minute drive to Greenfield, the heart of
Franklin County, and a 30 minute commute to employment in the academically and culturally
rich towns of Amherst, Northampton, Keene (New Hampshire) and Brattleboro (Vermont).
Boston is less than two hours away.
Attracted to the rich farmland along the banks of the Connecticut River, Northfield was settled
and abandoned twice due to attacks by Native Americans. It was permanently settled in 1714.
In 1879 Dwight L. Moody founded the Northfield Seminary for Young Ladies, and two years
later the Mount Hermon School for Boys in neighboring Gill. The schools merged in 1971 to
become the Northfield-Mt. Hermon School (NMH) attracting students from all over the world.
In September 2005 NMH consolidated the two campuses moving the school, students and
teacher housing to Gill. Eleven years later the Northfield campus, under the auspices of the
National Christian Foundation, remains empty.
During the late 1960s Northeast Utilities began a 3-part expansion plan that included creating
the largest pumped-storage hydroelectric plant in the country (at that time) at Northfield
Mountain. When the project was completed in the early 1970s the base of the mountain was
developed as the Northfield Recreation and Environmental Center, a year-round facility
providing hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as well as many educational programs.
With the Connecticut River as a dominant feature, the town is one of open farmland, forested
hills, numerous streams, wetlands and wildlife. Northfield covers an area of 35 square miles
with 2,108 acres designated for agricultural use. The current population is just over 3,000.
Seniors (65 and older) make up 20% of the population, up 5% from 2002. The number of school
age children is down 16% from 2002, to 426. The majority attend the Northfield Elementary
School and the regional middle and high schools while quite a few students attend area private
schools or are homeschooled. Northfield is primarily a residential community with just few
retail establishments and 5 churches. The annual town budget is close to $8,000,000 and the
median household income hovers around $49,000.
Remaining true to its historic roots, Northfield’s stately Main Street, including the Dickinson
Memorial Library, was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District in
1982. A typical New England town, Northfield’s officials are mainly elected or appointed
volunteers. The town is governed by a three person Board of Selectman, a Town Administrator
and a variety of volunteer boards and committees. A sometimes passionate affair, the Annual
Town Meeting is held every year on the first Monday in May.
Northfield is on the verge of change. With no idea what the future may hold for the empty, 187
acre, Northfield-Mt. Hermon campus the town residents don’t know if it will bring in increased
revenue in the form of taxes, revitalize retail sales and improve opportunities for local
employment, or if the status quo will remain for another decade. In 2014 Kinder Morgan
proposed to build a high-pressure gas pipeline and compressor station that would run through
the town. Many, but certainly not all, residents are actively fighting against the pipeline.
Concerns about the pipeline dominate most conversations – public, private and political. The
empty school complex and the unknowns of the pipeline are challenging this traditional small
town community to appropriately integrate the old values with the inevitable changes of life in
the 21st century.
Statistics compiled from the 2012 Northfield Town Census and the 2010 U.S. Census.
Library History
In 1813, Northfield was a prosperous village of shops and farms and multiple small
manufacturers. As the nation and the town turned its attention to the War of 1812, a small
group of residents met in Houghton's Tavern and formed the Social Library corporation. Led by
Thomas Power, a young lawyer from Boston, the Northfield Social Library was the first in the
county to be formed under a 1798 act of the General Court which granted the "proprietors" of
such a library the right "to manage the same."
The original proprietors of the Northfield Social Library included members of some of the
town's oldest and most prominent families. Meeting for the first time on February 4, 1813, the
proprietors each paid $4--then roughly a month's salary for a day laborer-for the privilege of
membership in the Social Library. That money, plus fines for lost or overdue books, went to the
purchase of books. By the end of 1813, the library listed seventy works of non-fiction, all
housed at Houghton's Tavern located, conveniently, in the center of town. By 1825, the number
of titles held by the Social Library had risen to 500, many of them of a religious nature, perhaps
a reflection of the tastes of the chair of the purchasing committee, the Reverend Thomas
Mason.
Fifty years later, by which time the Social Library had relocated to the former Parson boot
factory on the southern end of Main Street, the shareholders voted to relinquish their control
of the now almost thousand volume collection. In 1878, the proprietors of the Northfield Social
Library leased to the town for a period of 900 years the contents of the library, "on condition
that the town spend at least $100 a year for new books." The town agreed to these terms and
the Northfield Public Library was soon opened in Town Hall until such time that a generous
benefactor would come forward and provide a suitable building. Twenty years later, such a
benefactor made possible the construction of the building now known as the Dickinson
Memorial Library. His name was Elijah Marsh Dickinson.
Written by Kathleen Banks Nutter
The Legacy of Elijah Dickinson
At the age of 80, successful Fitchburg shoe manufacturer Elijah Marsh Dickinson (1816-1902)
erected the Dickinson Memorial Library at a cost of $20,000 to honor his Northfield ancestors.
Elijah was born in a large brick farmhouse in West Northfield. At 22, like many of his
contemporaries, he left the farm to work in industrialized Marlborough, Massachusetts. Within
four years, in 1842, he founded his own shoemaking business and the next year married and
started a family. In 1854 he moved the enterprise to Fitchburg, where his E.M. Dickinson Shoe
Co. became a leading business. 150 workers made 1200 pairs of shoes daily for sale in Boston
and the west. Dickinson held various city offices and in 1890 built the Dickinson Block on Main
Street, then one of Fitchburg's finest commercial blocks. Also in 1890 he gave West Northfield
the combined Dickinson Hall and school near his boyhood home, which he owned and visited
regularly.
On October 1, 1894 Elijah Dickinson paid library trustee Charles Henry Green $875 for land
Green had bought the month before; it was an ideal library site, just yards south of the home
built by Elijah's great-grandfather Nathaniel in 1728, but no longer standing in our day. After
the town accepted the building and voted $2000 for furnishings, construction began in 1897
with granite quarried in Northfield's hills.
The architect was Henry Martyn Francis (1836-1908), who designed many of Fitchburg's major
downtown buildings during the booming late 1800s. While his 15 libraries in Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, and Vermont were all variations of his 1884 Fitchburg library plan, each
combined the design elements in a unique way; Dickinson Library, in light-colored native
granite and deeply carved limestone instead of the more usual brick and brownstone, is one of
the most enduringly handsome. Like many Victorian architects, Francis was influenced by the
Romanesque style of Boston giant Henry Hobson Richardson, reflected in Dickinson's round
arches over the deeply recessed doorway and above the column-sided windows, rough-faced
stone contrasting with horizontal bands of trim, and horizontal groupings of windows. On
Dickinson more than most buildings by Francis, exuberant carved vegetation engulfs figures
that represent functions of the library: owls for wisdom, Minerva the goddess of art and
culture, the father-god Zeus who guards morality, and at the gable corners wonderful heads of
Native Americans representing local history. One of the first acts of the library trustees in 1898
was to advertise in local papers for art, Native American artifacts, and town "relics" to fill the
three second-floor museum rooms and large adjoining art gallery, now the children's room.
Dickinson himself donated many paintings and antiques during his frequent trips to the library
in years to come.
On June 9, 1898 visitors flocked to the library dedication at the Congregational Church by
carriage, bicycle, and a large contingent by train from Fitchburg. The keys were received by Dr.
Norman P. Wood, who was to continue as chairman of the library trustees for 32 years. After
the Seminary girls sang, evangelist D. L. Moody, one of the speakers, asked them to turn toward
the elderly donor and sing the Northfield Benediction: "The Lord bless thee and keep thee..."
The final speaker, Rev. G. Glenn Atkins of Greenfield, reiterated that townspeople must now
keep the library vital by saying, "I reaffirm that your responsibility is great." He continued, "This
library will be what you make it. You must give it financial support, give generously, regularly,
and keep at it... Mr. Dickinson gave the library; see to it that it has a beautiful soul."
Written by Betty Congdon
Library Description
Library Governance and Operations
As a department of the town government, the library is governed by an elected six member
Board of Library Trustees. The Board’s authority is derived from Chapter 78, Sections 10 and 11
of the Massachusetts General Laws. Section 10 states in part that: “The board shall have the
custody and management of the library…and of all property owned by the town relating
thereto. All money raised or appropriated by the town for its support and maintenance shall be
expended by the board, and all money or property which the town may receive by gift or
bequest…shall be administered by the board…” Responsibility for library management,
collection development, and provision of library services to the public is delegated by the Board
to the library director. The director is appointed and directly responsible to the Board, and is
an employee of the Town of Northfield.
The library’s financial resources come from funds appropriated by the town. These funds cover
wages and ordinary operating expenses as well as major repairs and upkeep of the building.
Funds from the Community Preservation Act have been granted twice for improvements to
historical features of the building. Library programming is supported through the generosity of
the Friends of the Dickinson Memorial Library and Northfield Cultural Council grants. Trust and
Memorial Funds are used sparingly as the recession of 2008 and low interest rates have greatly
reduced the annual interest income. The library gift fund is supported by small donations and is
used for everything from coffee to materials to special projects.
Every year the library works to meet the minimum state requirements (605 CMR 4.00) for
certification. Certification means the library receives annual State Aid funds. State Aid money is
essential for the library to keep pace with changes in technology and in the library field. Funds
are used to upgrade the library’s computers and systems, to support subscription services like
Constant Contact (email marketing to patrons) and LogMeIn (remote access to work
computers), and to pay mileage and fees for staff to attend conferences and workshops.
Certification, along with a current Strategic Plan, also allows the library to apply for any state
and federal grants administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
The library is staffed by a full-time director and two part-time library assistants – one in charge
of circulation, and the other programming and outreach. There is also a circulation assistant
and a 12 hour-a-week maintenance person. The total full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, excluding
maintenance is 2.35. The library is open 30 hours a week, double the number of open hours
required by Massachusetts Regulation (605 CMR 4.00) for towns with populations between
2,000 – 4,999. Open Tuesday through Saturday; hours include two mornings and one evening
with additional evening hours in the summer.
Affiliations
The library is part of the Massachusetts Library System, a state funded collaborative that was
formed in 2010 when the 6 regional library systems consolidated.
In 2002, the library graduated from a stand-alone computer system to become a C/W MARS
(Central Western Mass Automated Resource Sharing) Mini-Net member. As part of the C/W
MARS consortium, we circulate and catalog our materials through the open source Evergreen
circulation system. Other benefits of our membership include the acceptance of Northfield
library cards at over 100 libraries throughout central and western Mass, the ability to renew
and request library materials online, and access to the digital catalog, Overdrive, to download
audio, ebooks and magazines.
Collections and Circulation
The library’s physical collection consists of approximately 18,000 volumes in print, audio, video
and kits. It is well maintained and weeded regularly of dated, worn and unused titles. In the
fiscal year ending in June 2015, circulation of all items, including downloads, was 55,875. Using
State Aid funds the local history collection was cataloged and a finding aid was created by
archivist Kathleen Nutter. The collection is used consistently through the year by residents and
visitors alike.
The library building was willed to the Town for use as a library and museum so many gilt framed
portraits adorn the walls. Through the generosity of a few anonymous donors a few special
items, including the library land deed, a 1774 petition and 2 old postcards, were imaginatively
framed by a museum quality framer. The framed art, along with a rock, arrowhead and quoit
collection and a small selection of local artifacts lend depth and history to the library’s
offerings.
With an annual materials expenditure of approximately $24,000 the library tries to maintain a
collection that is current and relevant to community interests. Not only has the library been
increasing Overdrive contributions to help grow the digital catalog, but the library has been
providing patrons with e-readers and tablets to access the electronic collections.
Library Services
The library’s main service remains providing materials – books, audio, video and magazines -
but there has been steady growth in downloads from Overdrive, the digital catalog. With this
has come an increase in one-on-one sessions to teach patrons how to use Overdrive on their
personal devices. There has also been a steady increase in patron’s use of the library’s WIFI.
And the annual bookings in the community room have increased 50% in the last five years from
80 to 120 reservations.
To entice patrons library staff regularly creates themed fiction and non-fiction displays for both
children and adults. There are often pop-up displays commemorating a day in history or a
writer’s birth or death. A new whiteboard with varying questions, “What wildlife have you seen
around Northfield lately,” encourages participation and conversation. Many Northfield
Elementary classes come over during the school year giving us the opportunity to do book talks
and put in a plug for upcoming children’s programs.
The library regularly hosts 4 adult discussions (both book and movie), a knitting group, a
preschool story hour and an annual summer library program. In collaboration with the
Northfield Senior Center a noon-time movie is shown once a month. Tuesday Forums are held
sporadically offering everything from cheese tasting to stonewall building. The Friends of the
Dickinson sponsor an annual dog show in October and a children’s holiday bazaar in December.
Building Facilities
The building remains impressive. Built in 1897, the library was constructed with locally quarried
granite. Much of the original décor - the 18 stained glass windows, mosaic tile floors and
original stenciling on the walls and ceilings – still exist in varying conditions.
Two disastrous occurrences have had a lasting effect on the building. A leak in the skylight, in
the early 1900’s created a major crack and massive water stains in what was originally the
second floor museum room. A 1988 mold infestation that re-occurred in 1998 resulted in the
installation of central air conditioning to stabilize the building’s humidity levels.
In 2008 an elevator and accessible washrooms were installed through a Community
Development Block grant. The additional space allowed for an Art Gallery to be created on the
main floor as well as the opportunity to create a local history room on the more easily accessed
second floor.
The main floor houses adult fiction and non-fiction, magazines, DVDs and audio books. In
addition to the online catalog, there is one Chromebox , plus two laptops for the public to use.
A shared office space is situated behind the circulation desk.
Since 1995 the children’s collection has been located in the old “museum room,” a very
spacious area on the second floor. One wing off this room is a young adult room and the other
wing is the local history room. Two additional areas off the main hall house a sitting room and
the “Trustee’s Room,” a small meeting/study area.
The community room and the washrooms are located on the lower level. With a back entrance and a system to secure the upper floors the community room is available for community groups
to use outside of library hours. In the spring of 2015 the Friends of the Dickinson Memorial Library funded an upgrade that included a new ceiling, improved lighting and a projection system. In 2012, the Trustees were asked to house the fledgling Food Pantry in an underutilized section of the lower level. An agreement was reached and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Work Program and the Franklin County Tech School Electrical Shop painted and updated the lighting in the former “furnace room.” The Food Pantry is open the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Beginning in 2012 the Northfield Energy committee received a Green Communities grant for energy saving improvements. The fluorescent lights were updated to be more efficient and all other lights were switched out to LED bulbs. The attic and basement were insulated. Indoor window inserts were installed on a majority of the library windows.
Planning Methodology
This plan began in February 2015 when the opportunity arose to send out a survey with the
town’s annual census form. The survey was developed with the help of librarians from all over
the state who very generously shared, through the allregions listserv, their own survey
successes and disasters. Surveys were mailed to 1600 households and by spring 259 responses
were received. The answers were compiled using Google forms.
At the end of March invitations were sent out through the library’s email list and Northfield’s I-
Neighbors electronic discussion list looking for volunteers for the Strategic Plan Focus group.
Thirteen residents agreed to participate including 2 library trustees and a high school student.
The group was split between men and women, young parents, senior citizens and newcomers
to town.
The first focus group was facilitated by Northfield resident and former Mass Library System
advisor Mary King. Mary led the SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results)
exercise. MLS Advisor Deb Hoadley conducted the second meeting using Northfield’s just
completed Master Plan and concentrated on community visioning and goals.
Needs Assessment
The results of the library’s 2015 survey, as well as the outcome of the two focus group sessions
were used to guide the Director and the Board of Library Trustees to form some basic direction.
Aligning these ideas, with the goals and visions of the recently completed 2014 Town of
Northfield Master Plan became the basis of this strategic plan.
Survey Results
The 11 question survey asked a range of questions beginning with library usage. Thirty six
percent of the 259 respondents said they had gotten out of the habit while another 20% said
they had no reason to use the library. These answers came from households with an average
age range between 30 – 64 years old.
Answers to questions regarding services were both disturbing and informative. The three areas
that ranked highest when asked to choose the most important library services were
providing books, audios and DVDs (92%), promoting childhood literacy through reading
programs and activities (63%) and providing space for community residents to gather(56%). A
hefty 57.1% respondents did not know the library offered digital resources accessible outside
the library. This response is similar to the same question asked in a 2011 survey. It is evident
this is an area that needs direct attention.
Five questions directly, or indirectly, had to with library programs. When asked how they
learned about library services 66% respondents answered they heard about programs from
fliers in the library and from speaking with library staff. This may indicate an area of weakness
where the library needs to work harder to advertise library services and programs outside of
the library.
Although hosting events such as author visits, concerts, lectures garnered only 43% of the
responses when asked about the most important library services. One hundred twenty (68%)
answers suggest programming for adults is an area that should be emphasized. Programs for
children (differentiated from babies and toddlers and teens) received 51% interest.
Fifteen program topics were listed with the option to choose all that might be of interest. A
total of 1096 “checks” were entered. The top five areas of interest, ranked in order:
Gardening/Nature, History, Environment, Art and Author Visits. There seem to be little interest
in Religion and Hunting. A call for people interested in presenting programs at the library
garnered at least a dozen names and phone numbers.
The question “Why will you be visiting the library in five years and what will we be offering?”
received a wide range of responses ranging from a comment that we would be replaced by
Google to a number of 90+ year old residents who said they would no longer be around. The
vast majority of comments declared they would be coming for books, DVDs and programs for
themselves and their children.
Focus Group: Strengths and Opportunities
Speaking to the library’s strong points the first focus group praised the staff for treating
patrons, adult and children, personally and respectfully. There was appreciation of the library
facility for its historic beauty, its location and easy parking. The wide-range of programs and
the browsing collection were deemed strengths.
There were many suggestions for improvements to library services:
More evening hours
Continue cataloguing the local history collection
Programs for teens
Technology help for the online catalog, databases and devices
Find better ways to communicate library programs and services
An oft repeated theme in each part of the S.O.A.R (Strengths Opportunities Aspirations
Results) exercise is for the library to, simultaneously, remain the same and move forward.
Keep the historic integrity of the building while offering access to 21st technologies and
services. And to remain at the heart of the community.
Focus Group: Community Vision
Northfield’s 2014 Master Plan was used as a basis for the second focus group meeting. The
key issues brought up by this group to be addressed by the library were the town’s need for
more gathering spaces, the synergy created by bringing different groups together and better
town-wide communications including a community shared calendar hosted by the library.
Northfield Master Plan References to the Library
The Master Plan’s vision statement begins: IMAGINE Northfield… sometime in the future,
when….
The small town feeling is further enjoyed by residents due to the
additional opportunities for gathering provided by Town‐wide events
as well as a community park where people can meet spontaneously.
The Town facilities such as the library, good schools and the Tool Lending
Library are also places where people continue to mingle.
The Dickinson Memorial Library is directly referenced in the objectives of each of the eight
goals laid out in the Northfield Master Plan.
Goal 1: To promote preservation of open space and natural features
The library is called upon to help provide opportunities for youth learn about the importance of
natural resources.
Goal 2: To promote opportunities for recreation and community gathering
The library is called upon to partner with other groups to help organize and sponsor, support
and create neighborhood-specific and community-wide events.
Goal 3: To promote economic development town-wide.
The resources of the Dickinson Memorial Library can be used to promote recreation, heritage
and eco-tourism including, specifically the area’s Native American heritage.
Goal 4: To preserve and revitalize Main Street
The library has potential to provide greater opportunities for community gathering
Goal 5: To maintain public facilities, improve public services, and enhance
communication.
The library is in fairly good condition and has the potential to play a broader role in the
community by providing more and varied opportunities for lifelong learning and community
gathering including an emphasis on needs for an increasingly elderly population.
Actions
Support the library’s efforts at improving the facility and expanding services.
Support Library’s efforts at planning events
Consider Sunday hours
Explore ways of better serving more remote areas of Town
Reach out to non‐users
Goal 6: To expand housing opportunities and support neighborhoods
The library is located on Main Street close to the retail area, Town Hall, Senior Center and
Police, Fire and EMT services.
Goal 7: To enhance transportation and circulation systems
The library can play a key role in a volunteer rideshare program.
Goal 8: To promote Northfield’s history and culture.
Space at the library can be used to develop or host exhibits focusing on Northfield history,
especially the town’s Native American culture.
Actions
Continue to invest in the library as a community hub and cultural center.
Library Goals and Objectives
We have worked hard to gather together stakeholders to produce a cohesive and useful
strategic plan. The plan combines the outcomes of Northfield’s new Master Plan with the
library’s recent survey, focus groups and staff discussions.
The Board of Library Trustees’ endorses the following goals as key to the Dickinson Memorial
Library’s continuing success.
Maintain, update and expand use of the library as an essential public facility
Provide exceptional customer service
Keep up-to-date with changing technologies and trends in library services locally and broader
Find innovative and effective ways to communicate with Northfield residents
Restore and preserve the historic integrity of the building
Improve access to the Northfield History Collection
MAINTAIN, UPDATE AND EXPAND USE OF THE LIBRARY AS AN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC FACILITY
Upgrade the meeting room for comfort and usability
Review meeting room policy
Publicize availability of space for meetings and events
Streamline the procedure for scheduling the meeting room
Promote the library as a place for conversation and community engagement
Identify more quiet spaces for study and conversation
Improve outdoor lighting and parking for safety and security
Identify areas that need more custodial attention
Advocate for a town facilities manager
Procure funding to update seating and bookcases in the Children’s Room
Improve signage throughout the building
PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE
…BY SUPPORTING LIBRARY STAFF
Increase the library budget to include funding for substitute staff
Evaluate schedules to ensure staff has the time and tools needed to work on
Establish a day a month for each staff member to be off desk to work solely on a library project
Ensure all public access computers and printers work consistently and as seamlessly as possible
to save staff time and frustration
Encourage staff to attend regional trainings and workshops
Trustees will recognize staff and volunteers annually
…BY BEING MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
Consider requests for evening and Sunday hours
Work collaboratively with the Field Library in Northfield Farms and the Northfield Highway
Dept. (or other entity) in West Northfield to offer limited library services such as picking up and
dropping off library items to reach underserved areas of Northfield
Bring a pop-up mini-library to places around Northfield such as Mim’s Porch, the Northfield
Elementary School ball field, Field Library, West Northfield playground and the Senior Center
Offer quarterly programs for elementary-aged children and their families
Devise a strategy to offer after-school diversions for half-day Fridays
Collaborate with the regional school to encourage more teens to use the library
Invigorate adult programming
Secure funding for adult and children’s programming on an annual basis for ease of planning
KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES AND LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL
TRENDS IN LIBRARY SERVICES
Research options for more adequate charging stations for laptops and mobile devices
Offer consistently reliable computers, laptops and printing options for the public
Identify options for updating computer stations
Identify emerging technologies and provide time for staff training
Provide one-on-one patron training sessions for Overdrive and the new (2015) state e-book
collection.
Weed out-of-date formats
Identify and expand high-demand collections
FIND INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE WAYS TO COMMUNICATE WITH NORTHFIELD RESIDENTS
Convert the website platform for easier updating
Make better use of available community tools such as NextDoor and Bernardston-Northfield
Cable
Incorporate posting to social media outlets into the regular workflow
Investigate options for new outdoor signage
Develop a system for disseminating town-wide information: meetings, workshops, closings,
school events, Senior Center schedules, church events, rideshare details in one central location
Reconfigure the front foyer for better way to display and offer local information
Identify populations of non-library users for a directed marketing campaign
RESTORE AND PRESERVE THE HISTORIC INTEGRITY OF THE BUILDING
Develop a strategic plan for restoration and conservation of the second floor walls and ceilings
Identify funding sources for restoration of historic buildings
Identify a consultant to guide restoration projects
IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE NORTHFIELD HISTORY COLLECTION
Investigate the possibilities of an accredited library school intern cataloging the backlog of local
materials
Choose local history materials to go to bindery
Sign up for the services of the Digital Commonwealth.
Find a volunteer to maintain order in the Northfield History room on a regular basis
Acknowledgements
The Dickinson Memorial Library is greatly indebted to the people of Northfield for their
contributions to the planning process and for their ongoing support of the library. We would
also like to acknowledge the Northfield Master Plan Committee for developing such a thorough
document.
In particular, we’d like to thank the following people for their participation in the development
of the strategic plan.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS Brian Brault Lara Dubin Barbara Jacque Colby Johnson Gretchen Johnson Evaline MacDougall Barbara Moreau Tom Pinto Michael Ray Valerie Rogers Cate Woolner
TRUSTEE PARTICIPANTS JonMcGowan, Chair Paulina Borrego, Treasurer Nolan Kitfield, Secretary Margot Fleck Lloyd Parrill Deb Potee
FACILITATORS
Deb Hoadley Mary King
STAFF PARTICIPANTS
Matt Atwood
Deb Kern
Jane Lyle-Jaworski
Kathy O’Shea
Approved by the Dickinson Memorial Library Board of Trustees October 2015
Director: Deb Kern
Director Signature:_______________________________________________Date:_______________
Trustee Chair: Jon McGowan
Trustee Chair Signature:___________________________________________Date:_______________