Message from Library Director Jack Buchanan

Mission Statement The Santa Maria Public Library provides materials and services to help community residents obtain information to meet their personal, educational and professional needs. The Library features current, high demand, high interest materials in a variety of formats for persons of all ages in both Spanish and English. Special emphasis is placed on stimulating young children's interests to foster an appreciation for reading and learning.

2009-10 Goals/Objectives

1. Attract families who are not traditional Library users into the Library through programs and special events, by way of the family literacy program and events at Shepard Hall.
2. Continue partnerships with area schools by introducing students and teachers to Library educational resources - with a focus on outreach visits to junior high schools.
3. Provide a better presentation experience in the library's public meeting rooms through the installation of advanced audio/visual system controls and state-of-the-art equipment.
4. Improve security in the building for the public and staff by augmenting the video surveillance system.
5. Upgrade and enhance the facility's transceiver network system to develop stronger emergency communications capabilities for library staff and emergency services personnel.
6. Enhance and facilitate printing from public computers and other public-use devices through the implementation of a network printing solution in an effort to realize cost savings to the library and library patrons.
7. Establish ties with local area teens and involve them in the Library through programming and volunteerism on a year-round basis.
8. Provide computer instruction classes to improve the technological skills of the community and also provide classes in genealogical research with the Santa Maria Valley Genealogical Society.
9. Broaden community use and understanding of Library databases through increased publicity and staff/patron training, to include installing and training staff and the public on the new microfilm/microfiche reader/printer machine(s).
10. Provide training for Library employees, especially in customer service and offer basic bilingual classes to staff on Library terminology and phrases.