Karlen Memorial Library
Strategic Plan
2015 – 2018
Planning Team Members
Staff: Stephanie Heinemann (Library Director)
Library Board Members: Sarah Haber (Office Manager)
Sandy Lierman (LPN)
Tanya Oligmueller (Educator)
Jackie Delmont (Educator)
Community Member: Tammy Lorenz (Retired Librarian)
The Karlen Memorial Library staff, board members, and patrons assisted in the development of this strategic plan. This plan will be reviewed annually, at the July Library Board Meeting, or as needed by the library board, library director, and community members as needed.
The planning team collaborated with the Beemer Village Office to send out a community wide survey asking about the needs of the community. This survey was placed online and hard copies were mailed out to every household in the community. A total of 122 surveys were returned.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Karlen Memorial Library is to serve the community as a resource for information, entertainment, cultural opportunity and educational development, thereby enhancing and enriching the lives of its users.
Community Profile
The Karlen Memorial Library is located in Beemer, Nebraska in eastern Nebraska. It is located about 33 miles southeast of Norfolk and 86 miles northwest of Omaha.
Population
The population of Beemer as of the 2010 census was 687. The age distribution was: 118 aged 0-14, 80 aged 15-29, 95 aged 29-39, 87 aged 40-54, 123 aged 55-69, 199 aged 70 and over.
Education
The Beemer School System, School District 55, is a Class I elementary school affiliated with West Point Public Schools. Wisner-Pilger Public Schools, which is a K-12 school, is located 8 miles from Beemer. West Point Public School, which is a K-12 school, is located 8 miles from Beemer. Guardian Angels Central Catholic School, which is a K-12 school, is located 8 miles from Beemer. St. Paul’s Lutheran School is located 8 miles from Beemer and is a K-8 school. Northeast Community College is located 33 miles northwest of Beemer, and Wayne State College is located 30 miles northwest of Beemer.
Language and Ethnicity
The major language, at 89.9%, is English. Other languages spoken are Spanish, 7.4%, and other, 2.7%. White only population is 92%, American Indian, .3%, and Hispanic or Latino, 7.7%.
Employment
The county labor force in 2000 was 5,298, with unemployment of 114, or 2.15%, and employment of 5,184. The area labor force was 46,337 with unemployment of 1,599, or 4.10%, and employment of 44,738.
Hourly wages in the area range from $6.97 to $13.05. The only union in Beemer is the NSEA.
Cultural Summary
Beemer has two city parks, both with playground equipment, and a semi-public golf course. There are six churches in Beemer. There are also various community groups, including: Beemer Community Club, Beemer Legion Auxiliary, Beemer Firefighters Auxiliary, The American Legion, The Beemer Community Theatre Group, and Beemer Community Foundation.
Library S.W.O.T. Analysis
Internal Strengths
• The library offers summer reading programs for ages 3 – 8.
• The library has a new logo and pamphlet to be distributed.
• The interior of the library has recently been painted and updated.
• The library has 9 new computers, 2 printers and 2 scanners that were new 5 years ago.
• The library is the only source of free Wi-Fi in town.
Internal Weaknesses
• The library is not handicapped accessible.
• The library is small with no current options for expansion.
• The library has limited parking, with the only parking space being on the street.
• The library has limited operating hours.
External Opportunities
• Lack of entertainment opportunities for all ages, especially children and young adults.
• Growing technology use of patrons looking for help with new areas.
• Many people are buying homes in Beemer due to affordable housing.
• Located across the street from Elementary School.
External Threats
• Many parents commute to work and take their children to school and to other activities out-of-town.
• Many young adults leave for college and do not return because of lack of employment in the area.
• The library is not on Main Street with other businesses.
Community Needs
To determine community needs, a community survey was mailed to all Beemer residents, and informal interviews were conducted with various community members.
Community Need #1
There is a need to support and expand existing business and industry.
Goal
To host a monthly “Grow Nebraska” training, to be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month, to maximize the community’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Objectives
1. Advertise the monthly meeting hosted by the library, with notices posted at the library, post office, village offices, local marquee, and in the local newspapers by the 2nd Thursday of the month by the librarian.
2. Add library hours to accommodate hosted monthly meetings. The library will open the third Thursday of the month from 11:30am – 1:30 pm. The library will resume normal hours once the program is completed.
3. Invite local business leaders as presenters to enhance a few of the trainings. We will schedule at least three presenters by December 31 of 2016.
Community Need #2
There is not adequate programming and entertainment for children in our community. Many children are left home alone after school and during the summer.
Goal
Provide additional activities for all ages of youth through library programs.
Objectives
1. Implement 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program by January 31, 2016.
2. Write and submit grant proposals to expand 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten through the Louis and Abby Faye Dinklage Foundation, Beemer Community Club, and other local sources. To be completed by March 31, 2016.
3. Implement an additional summer reading program for ages 9-18 by May 31, 2016.
4. Increase the summer reading program attendance by 10% over the next 3 years.
Community Need #3
There is a need for accessible Public Health Information and Education.
Goal
Form a partnership with local health and safety resources to provide a place for the community of Beemer to access health and safety information.
Objectives
1. Provide information and handouts from: Elkhorn Logan Valley Health Department, Cuming County Extension Office, Beemer Volunteer Fire Department, and other local sources on an as need basis.
2. Act as a pick-up site for health-related materials, such as mosquito wipes and tablets, masks for air-borne viruses, and other health or safety material as pertinent on an as need basis.
3. Partner with local fire and rescue to help organize CPR training, provide smoke detectors, and assist fire and rescue as other needs arise.
4. The web site Consumer Health Complete through Nebraska Access will be made available for patrons of the community to use for questions or concerns they may have.
Evaluation
The library staff will develop and implement the programs mentioned above and will also be responsible for recording statistics. The strategic plan will be reviewed biannually at the Library Board meeting in July by the Library Board, Librarian, and community members. At this time the goals will be reviewed to determine whether the objectives have been met or need to be modified. At this time we may also determine if new goals are needed.
Community Survey 2015
Question 1: How important is the need to address the following in the community?
Answer 1(not important) – 5 (very important)
• Access to higher education opportunities
• Adequate, quality housing
• Business succession plans
• Child care facilities
• Community Website
• Comprehensive community plan for future
• Demolition of dilapidated Commercial or Industrial sites
• Demolition of dilapidated houses
• Developing renewable energy resources
• Elderly care facilities
• Energy conservation
• Hazardous waste pick-up
• Health care facilities
• Land acquisition for further residential/business development
• Local Economic Development Committee/Organization
• Local law enforcement
• Maintaining quality K-12 schools systems
• Public health education
• Quality of employment opportunities
• Recruiting and training emergency volunteers
• Recycling
• Safe drinking water
• Technology infrastructure
• Upgrading community infrastructure
• Workforce housing
• Zoning
Question 2: How satisfied are you with current recreation facilities in Beemer? Answer 1 (very satisfied – 5 (not satisfied)
Question 3: Rate the condition of the Recreational Facilities below. Answer 1 (poor) – 5 (excellent)
• Auditorium building
• Auditorium parking lot
• Baseball fields
• Basketball courts
• Camping area
• City Park
• Existing RV facilities
• Football field
• Golf Course
• Playground equipment
• Public Restrooms
• Softball fields
• Tennis courts
Question 4: Regarding the future economic growth, our efforts would be best spent: Answer 1 (no priority) – 5 (highest priority)
• Attract new industry
• Attract new retail business
• Attract new service business
• Build more apartments
• Build more homes for rent
• Build more homes for sale
• Development of Industrial Tract
• Improve appearance of commercial areas
• Support and expand existing business and industry
Question 5: Rate the technology services of the community. Answer 1 (poor) – 5 (excellent)
• Cable television quality
• Cable television service
• Internet connectivity
• Internet Speed
• Land-line telephone service
• Wireless & Cellphone service
Question 6: Rate the following services as to quality and/or availability. Answer 1 (poor) – 5 (excellent)
• Accounting & Bookkeeping
• Attorney & Legal
• Auto & Machine Repair
• Banking & Financial
• Beautician & Hair Salon
• Child Care
• Chiropractic
• Computer Sales and Service
• Conference & Community Meeting Facilities
• Contractors
• Dental
• Eye Care
• Farmers Market
• Food & Dining
• Grocery
• Heating & AC Installation and Repair
• Hotels & Lodging
• Independent Living for Seniors
• Library
• Medical clinics & Doctors
• Nursing Home Facilities
• Postal
• Printing & Copy
• Religious
• Retail
• Senior Center Facilities
• Specialized Medical Care
• Veterinary
Question 7: How old are you?
Question 8: Please identify how many persons in each age group are in your household.
Question 9: State what you think should be the top three priorities for the community.
Question 10: For future planning surveys, do you prefer an electronic survey or a paper survey?
Question 11: Other Comments
- First Draft: August 17, 2015
- Second Draft: September 16, 2015
- Final Approval: September 21, 2015