Ames Public Library presents expanded services, new strategic plan and summer meal program funding

Sheila Shoper, director of the Ames Public Library, told the Ames City Council on Feb. 4 that the library has launched a new strategic plan after community input and is emphasizing service, space and outreach while holding to budget-conscious operations.

The plan, Shoper said, grew from five stakeholder groups, four public input sessions and nearly 600 survey responses. “Libraries are a key component in providing critical information, resources, and spaces for learning and connecting,” Shoper said, and the new plan’s priorities are summarized as “connecting Ames,” “serving Ames” and “a place for Ames.”

The nut of the presentation was how those priorities translate to programs and performance. Shoper said the library hosts roughly 25,000 visits a month, runs 70 open hours per week and relies heavily on volunteers — 344 in the most recent year, 90 of whom are youth volunteers. Alyssa Doornig, resource services manager, described the collection work and outreach: downloadable content and e-audio are growing in use while print remains central; a $25,000…