By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees focused on the library’s strategic plan, as well as the effects of COVID-19 on library services, during a meeting on Monday, Feb. 8.

WCPL was limited to curbside services and virtual offerings in January due to Kosciusko County’s local COVID-19 metric score resulting in a “red” advisory level.

Warsaw Community Public Library Director Ann Zydek talks about the library’s strategic plan with board members during a meeting on Monday, Feb. 8. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

On Jan. 27, the county’s advisory level was lowered to “orange.” Following this change, the library physically reopened to the public on Monday, Feb. 1.

The library website also now offers local COVID-19 vaccine education resources. This includes information on who is eligible to receive the vaccine and where people can go locally to get vaccinated.

During the meeting, Library Director Ann Zydek briefly discussed the library’s annual report for 2020; she noted that WCPL was closed for almost 13 weeks last year due to COVID-19.

“There were pattern changes as we moved toward virtual services,” said Zydek. “A lot of people, when they got tired of screen time, were happy to have take-it, make-it crafts. We’ve never had a year like last year.”

Following the regular session, the board of trustees held a board retreat and discussed the library’s strategic plan.

The three priorities in WCPL’s plan involve reimagining the library’s physical space by enhancing in-person experiences through transforming traditional library spaces; expanding the library’s virtual presence by creating a seamless, full-service virtual library experience; and cultivating community engagement by developing deeper connections and enhancing collaboration within the community.

Within these priorities are six goals:

• Modernize the library to make it bright, comfortable and barrier-free;
• Streamline in-house access to materials and services, and enrich face-to-face engagement and hands-on opportunities;
• Provide instant 24/7 access to a wide array of digital materials, original content and virtual programs available on multi-platforms from anywhere;
• Develop an online presence that replicates an engaging in-person library experience;
• Provide and promote library outreach and services outside of the building; and
• Develop partnerships to collaboratively provide collections, programs and services that library staff could not provide on their own.

WCPL Board President Chris Merrill asked Zydek if she’s noticed any recent service gaps and if there’s any new services the library began offering during the pandemic that she would like to continue.

Zydek said periodical re-examination of what the library offers to the community is key, using WCPL’s curbside services as an example.

“We looked at it last year, evaluated it and considered what worked and what did not,” said Zydek. “This came up again when we saw the (COVID-19) surge starting. I went back to the two public service librarians and I said, ‘Look at the process. What would you keep? What would you change?’ And they made some good changes. It (curbside services) dropped off as soon as people were able to get back into the building. But some people still did it. So that would be something that we could carry forward as long as the need is there.”

The board also noted the importance of the library offering virtual services and events to patrons, including free WiFi in the library’s parking lot. Board Member Jill Beehler said an individual who helps out at a local church’s community closet knows many people in need who use the library’s WiFi.

“That’s a very strong thing that we have to keep going,” said Beehler.

The board’s next meeting is at 4 p.m. Monday, March 8.