Section 1:
Basic Information

A. Name of System: Northern New York Library Network
B. Address: 6721 US HWY 11, Potsdam, NY 13676
C. Phone Number: (315) 265-1119
D. Fax Number: (315) 265-1881
E. E-mail Address: john@nnyln.org
F. URL: www.nnyln.org
G. Date of Establishment: 1965
-- Absolute Charter Date: 11/20/70
H. Name(s) of Central Library/Co-Central Libraries:
I. System Service Area:
-- Square Milage: 10,655
-- Population: 541, 145
J. Type of System: Reference and Research Library Resources System
K. Minimum Staffing Requirements: John Hammond serves as Executive Director of the Network. Mr. Hammond holds an MS in Library Science and Public Librarian's Professional Certificate No. 17130.
L. List of Members: For a complete list of the NNYLN's members, please see: www.nnyln.org/membership.html

Section 2:
Organization Chart

Section 3:
Description of Member Input on Policies

A. Members of the Northern New York Library Network advise the Network through direct membership on the Network Board of Trustees, through their voting franchise for the election of Network Trustees, through their membership on Network committees, through the regular on-going surveys conducted at continuing education seminars, through the Network's comprehensive biannual assessment of programs and services, and through informal contact with Network staff.

B. The Network maintains several member advisory groups:

- the Regional Automation Committee provides direction and oversight with regard to the Network's annual RBDB grant. It consists of fourteen members appointed by the Network's Board of Trustees and staff.

- the Hospital Library Services Advisory Committee provides direction and oversight with regard to the Network's annual hospital library services state aid grant. It consists of representatives from each of the Network's circuit rider hub libraries as well as the Network's Board of Trustees.

- the Network's Planning Committee provides assistance and guidance in the development of the Network's annual plan. The committee consists of representatives of each Network committee, the Board of Trustees, and Network staff.

- several other committees function to provide regular assistance and guidance in the development of Network programs; such committees include the Advocacy Committee, the Continuing Education Committee, and the Inter-Library Loan Committee.

Section 4:
Description of Planning, Evaluation, Revision, and Approval Process
for All Elements of the Plan of Service.

A. Plan Development

1.) Member Needs Assessment: Comprehensive information concerning the quality and importance of Network programs and services was gathered through written survey instruments sent to staff members of every Network member library. This survey was supplemented by a second survey that focused on the Network's RBDB-related activities. Survey findings were further refined and developed through the use of member library director focus groups, facilitated by an outside professional; specialized committee meetings focused on plan development; and continued consultation with the Planning Committee. A draft Plan of Service was transmitted to every member library, and a comment period followed. All member comments were positive and affirming.

2.) Planning Process: Every Network member was given the opportunity to be involved in the planning process. As stated in A.1 (above), all members were solicited for an assessment of Network programs and services, and were also asked for areas where the Network could enhance services. Special Network committee meetings were scheduled to focus upon the planning process and for committee input to occur. Specialized focus groups were designed and implemented for member library directors. A draft Plan of Service was delivered to every Network member and a comment period was provided for further input.

B. Evaluation

1.) The Plan of Service contains specific measurable action items as activities. Network staff and Network committees are designated as those responsible for completing those activities in the specific time frame stated in the Plan. Ths assessment will be conducted on a regular basis, with results reported to the Network Board of Trustees. The Network also reports to the State Education Department in its Annual Report.

2.) The Network will continue to assess member satisfaction through the use of its traditional biannual survey of member satisfaction with Network products and services. This will be supplemented with assessments at Continuing Education events and committee meetings, and through informal communications between Network members and Network staff.

3.) Results from bi-annual membership surveys, project-specific questionnaires, such as those used in evaluation of LSTA funded projects, assesments and comments sollicited at Continuing Education events, agenda items and discussions at committee meetings, SED plans, and continual reviews of professional literature will become source materials for future planning activities.

C. Amendment Process

It has been the Network's custom to update this document annually, following a process built around continued member input and on-going program assessment. Annual updates are distributed in draft form to all members for comments.

All formal amendments to this Plan of Service will be congruent with any future published State Education Department guidelines for amending and revising Plans of Service.

D. Approval Process

The Network's Plan of Service has been reviewed by all member libraries; comments received have been affirmative. The Plan of Service was approved by the Network's Board of Trustees (Board Resolution No. 00-01/26).

Return to Section 5