Planning for the future - Thoughts from Library Director, Greta Chapman

Rapid City's public library has a history of service going back more than a hundred years. That long history, as a solid and reliable anchor of the community, can sometimes mask how truly dynamic and flexible a library must now be. Responding to the ways in which technology is currently impacting and shaping our society is one part of the mission. Libraries must at the same time continue to maintain the traditional services that the community relies on and - most challenging of all - anticipate the needs of the future. All this takes a plan, and the library has one: a carefully developed Strategic Plan for the five year period from 2005-2010. At the center of the plan are the library's three strategic goals:

1) Maintain the libraries as community gathering places for all ages.
2) Continue to develop intuitive, mobile and user-friendly library services for all ages.
3) Increase public awareness of existing and evolving services.

Much work went in to the development of the plan and that work continues as we periodically review and update. As you might imagine, 2010 can look a little different in 2008 from how we imagined it way back in "two thousand ought four." Recently, the plan received a comprehensive review and update by library management and staff, and by civic and community members and stakeholders. That update is available to the public in print format at the library or it can be downloaded from the library website http://www.rapidcitylibrary.org/lib_info/StrategicPlan.pdf

Among other things, the plan update emphasizes the goal that both library locations, downtown and north, serve not only our traditional patrons, but virtual users who do not enter the library building at all, engaging them in their work, play and learning environments.
We always invite comments, suggestions and input on how the library might continue to progress at fulfilling our mission- which is: to provide access to materials and services to help residents of all ages obtain information to meet personal, professional and educational needs.

Use Express Checkout at RCPL Downtown and Get a FREE Book

Declare Your Independence and Step Out Of Line -- Use the library's Express Checkout machines and save your receipts. Get a free used book from the Friends of the Library book sale area when you turn in 5 receipts. The Friends of the Library, an organization that supports the Rapid City Public Library, takes donations of hundreds of books each year so there's usually a wide variety to choose from. The self-checkout machines are easy to use. Library Director Greta Chapman provides a quick video demonstration at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml0tj4H5cJA
East Side, West Side . . . All Around the Town

On June 21st, the library unveiled a new book drop at Don's Valley Market, 747 Timmons Blvd. in Rapid Valley. This brings the number of drop-off locations to four in the Rapid City area. Library patrons can return library materials to any of the drop boxes at any time - night or day.

The other drop boxes are at the following locations:

* Mr. Movies, 3609 Sturgis Road, in West Rapid City.
* General Beadle Elementary School, 10 Van Buren St., in North Rapid City.
* The Rapid City Public Library main library, 610 Quincy St., in the after-hours drop box next to the drive-up window.

The Rapid City Public Library also offers extra convenience when it comes to checking out library materials. Library cardholders can sign up for the "Library @ Your Doorstep" service, and the library will mail materials directly to them. Find out more at http://www.rapidcitylibrary.org or call 605-394-4171.