COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County Library is not only planning to upgrade the main branch on Mechanic Street in Court House, it is also planning to give its services and image a boost.
Library Director Andrea Orsini appeared before the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 13, to talk about a five-year plan to upgrade the library system. According to Orsini, the library has put out a survey and formed a focus group to find out what people want the library to look like in the next five years.
“The library is not just books, but also a place where people can come and gather and share experiences,” she said.
The library has come up with a four-pronged approach to developing the library system over the next five years. The strategic priorities, Orsini said, include building awareness, which she said is recognizing what the library is and what it has to offer; reaching, meaning joining residents and partners in the community; emphasizing experiences, which is to curate inspiring spaces and opportunities; and strengthening the team, meaning fostering internal connections and creativity.
“We have developed strategies for each parameter of our plan,” she said.
Orsini said the first step in the strategy is to build a new brand. She said the library committee will also fully assess the main library building, so as to develop a “bright, shining example of what a community library headquarters would look like.”
“I often hear, ‘I didn’t know you did that at the library,’” she said.
The library, she said, has come up with a new mission statement, “Connecting our communities to knowledge, spaces, experiences and one another.” The mission statement is connected to the core values of the library – service, compassion, accessibility and adaptability, she said.
Between September 2022 and January, the library assembled a Strategic Planning Committee, designed a staff assessment approach, conducted staff surveys and formed a focus group. During the period of April 2023 to October 2023, the library designed a strategic planning approach, conducted patron gallery walks, community interviews and focus groups, and administered a public survey.
From November 2023 to April 2024, the Strategic Planning Committee began designing the strategic plan. The library commissioners reviewed it and provided feedback, and the 2024-2028 strategic plan was created.
Orsini said the library received more than 300 responses to its public survey, conducted 18 gallery walks across nine library locations, held three roundtable discussions with more than 30 school and community organization representatives, and held nine interviews with influential community leaders. The library also received staff feedback on the library’s core mission, values, services and job satisfaction.
Asked what would make the public more likely to visit or access services through the library, people responded that they would like more events and services related to their own interests, a better understanding of what the library provides and access to community events.
Commenting on what they liked about the library, 93% said they are highly satisfied with the knowledgeable and friendly staff, 80% of library users have a very favorable impression of the library, and 60% said study rooms and reading areas are important to them.
The library hopes to fully implement a consistent brand across all formats and channels by 2026. By 2028, the final year of the five-year plan, it hopes to engage a cross-section of staff and stakeholders to both reflect and look forward, consider strategic priorities and objectives, and envision new possibilities.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
