Library Achievements

Between 2011-2013, the Walker

Memorial Library has achieved the five

significant goals of its Strategic Plan.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Walker Memorial Library is to be a downtown center of information and culture at the root of a thriving city where people of all backgrounds grow together. Walker Memorial Library builds connections between people, groups and information that create and expand opportunities for learning, leisure and creativity.

Letter of Introduction:

Dear Members and Visitors,

In 2011 the Library Board, staff and community went through the strategic planning process for the library which culminated in a set of guidelines for collection development, programming and overall operations of the library. We have had great success in reaching our institutional goals over the last few years. The following list from 2011-2013 reveals those successes. Join me in acknowledging and celebrating these successes which are a direct result of the determination of the staff and volunteers whose hard work helped us reach them.

Karen Valley, Director

These library achievements have been accepted by the Library Board of Regents and Trustees on

February 20, 2014.

Goal Area 1

Embracing Advanced Technology

Developed a new mobile-device

compatible website with enriched

content to improve user experience

Increased usage of social media

Expanded self-service options for patrons

Improved the technology infrastructure

Offered weekly computer &

technology assistance programs

Devices by Kelig Le Luron from The Noun Project

Goal Area 2

Providing a Forum for Social & Cultural Discourse

Increased collaboration with

City Departments

Co-developed Westbrook Reads

partnership with Westbrook Schools

Coordinated a unified Summer Reading

Program with Westbrook Schools

Supported community education for the

City’s recycling efforts

Collaborated with the United Way &

literacy volunteers on literacy projects

Served as a free lunch site for over 600

students in summer 2013

Offered engaging & educational

programming for adults

Collaborated with Westbrook Schools &

community businesses/organizations for

our first Teen Opportunity Fair

Goal Area 3

Empowering People in Education, Career,

Family, & Life

Held a “Jobs in ME” training workshop

Westbrook event participation:

Westbrook Together Days

Winter West Festival

Festival of Trees

Facilitated social networking

opportunities at library programs

Doubled storytime attendance from 2011

to 2013

Doubled Summer Reading Program

attendance from 2012 to 2013

Established the Library as a destination

through programs, activities, & services

which attracted citizens of all ages

Expanded outreach services

Partnered with MPTC to provide teens

with computer support

Built Library collections to support

educational & career advancement

Celebrated 2,400 hours of volunteer

assistance

Brain by Martha Ormiston from The Noun Project

Goal Area 4

Preserving, Sharing, & Celebrating Westbrook

Joined Maine Memory Network &

contributed Westbrook historical

information

Subscribed to & promoted

Ancestry.com to support local genealogy

research

Evaluated space in the 1894 Historical

Building Wing to ensure continued

viability & use

Showcased local art talent with displays

Received the following grants:

Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation

Davis Family Foundation

Friends of Maine Libraries

State of Maine BTOP

Goal Area 5

Breaking Down Barriers

Partnered to develop ESL/ELL programs

Improved the patron experience by

relocating collections in an accessible

arrangement

Improved signage & library displays

Created a new Event Room space to

support library programming

Reduced visible clutter to enhance

welcoming atmosphere

Improved workflows for better patron

experiences

Instituted a new visual branding using

@Walker Memorial Library footer for all

program/event postings

Unified adult & children’s calendars

onto one handout

Walker Memorial Library

Library Board Regents: Ward 1: Michael Elwell Ward 2: Kathy Blake Ward 3: Roy Leighton Ward 4: Nancy Crump Ward 5: Judith Reidman, Chairman Trustees: Fran Fritzsche-Jensen Ted Angel Marian Peterson Mayor: Colleen Hilton Director: Karen Valley

207-854-0630 800 Main Street, Westbrook, Maine, 04092 www.walker.lib.me.us