STATEMENT OF LIBRARY GOALS
GATES PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS ESTABLISHED BY THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Purpose of the library
- The Gates public Library exists to serve Gates residents of all ages
and abilities. To that end, the library through its governing Board of
Trustees and its staff will constantly study the evolving town - its variety
of needs, interests and concerns - and will keep pace with the changing
community.
- The library recognizes that Gates is also part of many larger communities.
Thus the library should reflect the variety of concerns on the country,
the state, the nation and the world, and should strive to keep abreast
of changes in these larger communities, particularly as these changes affect
Gates.
- Because of the existence of the public library, no person is limited
to his or her own lifetime of experiences. Any person may freely choose
to expand his or her knowledge of the universe, now and past, so he or
she can better meet the future. The public library is the "University of
the People," the public institution dedicated to promoting the self-education
of each person to the limit of his or her ability and interest.
- This public library, in addition, recognizes the value of reading as
an essential skill for each person to master. Accordingly, we strive to
promote increased reading among all ages and abilities, for whatever reason
an individual may choose in selecting a book to borrow.
- The library acknowledges it has a major role in the development of a
well-informed electorate, which is essential to a viable democracy. The
library also values a free and inquiring society.
- Goals to achieving these purposes
- As the library exists to serve the Town of Gates, library growth
and diversification should keep pace with town population growth
and diversification. As community interests and needs change, so
should the library anticipate and reflect such change.
- Keeping pace with town change should not lag appreciably,
lest community respect for the service the library offers diminish.
It is the primary goal of this institution that is should always
be regarded as a dependable source and as a trustworthy, responsive
service where one's tax money is well spent.
- A continuous effort will be made by the library trustees
and administration to study, analyze, and meet the needs of
the evolving town.
- Awareness of other community groups and institutions' knowledge of Gates is part of the continuous effort to be made by the library. The library will build ties of communication and cooperation with these groups. The library will encourage trustees and staff to participate actively in town life and activities.
- Keeping pace with town change should not lag appreciably,
lest community respect for the service the library offers diminish.
It is the primary goal of this institution that is should always
be regarded as a dependable source and as a trustworthy, responsive
service where one's tax money is well spent.
- As the library should also reflect the variety of concerns of the
world around Gates, accordingly the trustees and staff should be
well-read and knowledgeable about these concerns. The library should
see that these wider communities are broadly represented in the library's
materials and activities. The library makes a special commitment
to cooperation with library systems and activities.
- As the library is committed to self-education of each individual
to the limit of his or her abilities or interest, goals for achievement
of this purpose are:
- A high priority will be given to each individual's self-education
efforts.
- A strong effort will be made to reach groups in the town
which do not use the library to the came extent as other groups.
- The library will cooperate whenever possible with other town organizations pursuing goals of self-education.
- A high priority will be given to each individual's self-education
efforts.
- Because of the library's strong commitment to reading as an essential
skill, the library will strive to cooperate with all community groups
and educaitonal institutions which have a similar goal. The library
should take a leadership role in realizing this goal.
- In realizing the library's major role in developing a well-informed
electorate, the library will cooperate with governmental agencies
in making information available for the public. Keeping such information
up-to-date and easily accessible is a prime goal. The library will
cooperate with organizations whose goal is to stimulate a free and
inquiring electorate, and when possible will assume a leadership
role.
- It is the special duty of the library board of trustees to see
that the library is adequately funded to meet these goals and that
the town government granting these monies be kept aware of the library's
goals and achievements. Included in funding is the provision and
maintenance of adequate building facilities and equipment for efficient
library operation.
Accordingly the library trustees recognize the use of mational library standards as useful in working towards achievement of librarary goals.
- Each year these long range goals will be re-examinied and annual goals for the coming year will be agreed upon by the trustees as the plan for library activities.
- As the library exists to serve the Town of Gates, library growth
and diversification should keep pace with town population growth
and diversification. As community interests and needs change, so
should the library anticipate and reflect such change.
