Long Range Plan

Buda Public Library
2012 Long Range Plan

The Long Range Plan
The Long Range Planning Committee
History of the Buda Public Library
Community Profile
State of the Library
Vision Statement
Mission Statement
Service Responses
Goals and Objectives
Future Space Needs
Revision Schedule 

 The Long Range Plan

The state of library services is changing rapidly. The previous long range plan was adopted in September of 2006. In recognition of the changes that have taken place since this plan was adopted, library staff decided it was time to assemble a new plan.

In preparation for this plan, we conducted a survey, asking community members to evaluate current services of the library and to tell us what they would like to see more of in the future. The majority of responders answered that they are satisfied with current library services but would like more materials to choose from, more programs to attend, more parking, and more space for everything. They also repeatedly requested a new, larger building.

The Buda City Council chose to assemble a long range plan committee that would represent as wide a variety of interests as possible from the community. Two representatives each from the Library Commission, Friends of the Library, and City Council were selected. Additionally, each councilmember could appoint a citizen to the commission. The library director, one staff member and a facilitator finished out the group. The Long Range Planning Committee’s responsibility was to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the Buda community, envision what the perfect library would be like and identify goals and objectives for the library to focus on in the coming years.

The Long Range Planning Committee

LaNan Bedwell – Library Commissioner
Sue Bellows – Library Commissioner
Cathy Chilcote – City Councilmember
Bob Elder – Friend of the Library
Lupe Herrera – Library Staff member
Melinda Hodges – Library Director
Marc Hunter – Web administrator and writer
Katie Bell Moore – Friend of the Library
Hope Palacios – Retired
Jennifer Patterson - Facilitator
Todd Ruge – City Councilmember
Cathy Severance – Business owner

History of the Buda Public Library

The Buda Public Library was made possible by the efforts of the Buda Community Women’s Club (BCWC).  This organization raised funds, secured property, and established the Buda Public Library in 1979 at no cost to the citizens and taxpayers of the Buda community. At the behest of the BCWC, the City Council of Buda passed an ordinance officially creating the Buda Public Library in April 1980.

Under the guidance of the BCWC and with the help of many others, the library grew over the years and changed locations, until the first independent structure, a site-built, metal Butler building of 1,200 square feet, was dedicated on the present site in May 1984.

In the 1990s, the collection grew to 12,000 items.  Any program space was diminished.  The Library needed more space to provide services for the growing Buda community. 

Many community members worked towards the building of a new library. The congregation of Santa Cruz Catholic Church pledged $75,000 and the Friends of the Buda Public Library was organized in the early 1990’s and began annual support of Library activities. Buda native, Robert Hill, an architect in Denver, Colorado, designed the new Library.  Texas Lehigh Cement donated the materials for the foundation.  With all the community support, the library qualified for a matching grant to initiate the building program. 

The new Library facility opened its doors in May 1993.  Built on the same site as the original building on a greenbelt alongside the railroad tracks, the Library occupied 5,200 square feet in a place of honor between the gazebo and the historic water tower on Main Street. 

The Buda Public Library was officially created as a City Library in 1980, but did not become a department of the City of Buda until 2001, when it was incorporated into the general budget.

The Library has received several grants:  two Telecommunication Infrastructure Fund Grants, four Tocker Foundation Grants, a Texas Book Festival Grant, and two J. Frank Dobie Grants.  Buda Public Library also participated in the Loan Star Libraries Grant direct-aid program.

Community Profile

The Buda Public Library is located in Buda, Texas, population 7,295, in northeastern Hays County about fifteen miles south of Austin, Texas.  Hays County is currently one of the top 30 fastest growing counties in the nation.

Because Hays County provides funding to all public libraries in Hays County, its residents are able to use any of the five libraries, free of charge. Thus, the Buda Public Library serves not just the residents of the City of Buda, but any Hays County citizen, primarily those living in northern Hays County.

The Hays Consolidated Independent School District, serving the Buda and Kyle areas, is one of the fastest growing school districts in the State of Texas. Hays CISD is the largest of the four school districts in Hays County.  The 2010 Census data indicates that 56,374 persons reside in the school district. 

According to the 2010 Census data, Hays CISD residents are:
47% Hispanic
3.5% Black
46% White
3.5% Other

The age breakdown for the Hays CISD community is:
10% under 5
24% 5-19
60% 20-65
6% over 65

5.8% live below the poverty level
50.63% of school age children qualify for free and reduced price lunches. (HCISD Child Nutrition office)

State of the Library

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission designates a service population to each Library.  In 2011, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission designated a library service population of 9,594 for the Buda community.

The Library currently has 9,868 library card users, which can be either for an individual or a family.
28% of the users reside in the City of Buda
67% reside outside of the City of Buda, but within Hays County
5% live outside of Hays County

The Library is funded primarily by the City of Buda.  In fiscal year 2010, Hays County contributed approximately 10.7% of the operations budget to support library services for Hays County residents who do not live within the City of Buda.  Additional funds come through community support and our Friends of the Library.

Comparison with Kyle Public Library (FY 2010 statistics)

* Many households with Buda addresses do not live in Buda City Limits; this is the population of the 78610 zip code.

Vision Statement

Connect with the world at the Buda Public Library!

Visions of the library:

• Connects the community with services that meet their needs
• Comfortable and spacious
• State-of-the-art, environmentally responsible facility

Mission Statement

The mission of the Buda Public Library is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the community by providing resources and services that enhance their access to education, enjoyment, and lifelong learning through library materials, services, programs and online access.

Service Responses

A service response is what the Library considers a priority. In the long range planning process, the Committee has selected the following service responses for the five year cycle.

Connect to the Online World: public Internet access. Residents will have high-speed access to the digital world with no unnecessary restrictions or fees to ensure that everyone can take advantage of the ever-growing resources and services available through the Internet.

Create Young Readers: early literacy. Young patrons will have access to materials and activities, encouraging their development into lifelong learners.

Stimulate Imagination: reading, viewing and listening for pleasure. All patrons of the Buda Public Library will have materials and programs that excite their imaginations and provide pleasurable reading, viewing and listening experiences.

Visit a Comfortable Space: physical and virtual spaces. Residents will have safe and welcoming physical places to meet and interact with others or to sit quietly and read.

Goals and Objectives

The Buda Public Library strives to improve the Library experience of every user by providing materials, resources, services and programs that meet the needs and interests of the Buda community in an attractive, comfortable, highly functional Library facility.

The continuing community growth, request for additional materials, more computers and more space for everything are the driving forces to build a new facility large enough to serve the needs of our growing community.

Patrons of the Buda Public Library will have high-speed access to the ever-growing resources and services available through the Internet.
A. Make the website more information-rich, accessible and user-friendly, including for mobile devices by December, 2013.
B. Increase the number of patron workstations, including laptops, up to 21 stations by adding one station each year by May, 2017.
C. Increase library communication with patrons through electronic means, including social networks and newsletters.
     1. Create Twitter account by September, 2012.
     2. Create newsletter to be sent out twice yearly, beginning May, 2013.
D. Increase usage of the Buda Public Library by distance learners.
     1. Request that online colleges add the library as a testing site for their students by October, 2013.
     2. Advertise to the general public that the library is available to online learners for coursework and test proctoring by October, 2013.
E. Use expertise to maximize the efficiency of the computer, network and online access capabilities – ongoing.
F. Update the technology plan that will provide an outline for maintaining and improving levels of technology by February, 2013.

Young patrons will have access to materials and activities which encourage their development into lifelong learners.
A. Conduct two Ready to Read training sessions each year to train parents in their role as their child’s first teacher, beginning October, 2012.
B. Create resource lists of local and online literacy resources for parents to use with their children by May, 2013.
C. Separate early reader books from other “E” section titles by June, 2012.
D. Prepare at least five suggested reading lists for various age groups by June, 2013, to be updated every two years.
E. Have at least two summer programs for each age group that are based on literature, beginning summer 2013.
F. Increase Summer Reading Club and Texas Teens Read enrollment by 5% each year, beginning 2013.

A. Offer programs to adults, teens and children on a variety of subjects and interests.
     1. Adults will have six yearly special programs, covering, art, music, gardening and other areas and an on-going book club, beginning in fiscal year 2014.
     2. Teens will have weekly programs throughout the summer and three special programs yearly, beginning in fiscal year 2012.
     3. School-aged children will have weekly programs throughout the summer and four special programs yearly, beginning in fiscal year 2014.
B. Increase expenditures for materials by 4% each year in order to reach Texas Public Library Standards, with a focus on electronic materials.

A. Improve the appearance of the collection.
     1. Remove low and non-circulating items to make room for newer titles according to the CREW method by May, 2017.
     2. Purchase new shelving that will accommodate the display of materials by May, 2015.
B. Improve the appearance of the library’s interior.
     1. Use volunteers to perform housekeeping duties – ongoing.
     2. De-clutter and refresh the Martinez room by December, 2012.
     3. Bring in space-usage consultants to ensure the library’s space is being used as efficiently as possible by September, 2013.
C. Improve the appearance of the library’s exterior.
     1. Paint the non–stone surfaces on the building by May, 2013.
     2. Use volunteers to perform landscaping duties – ongoing.
     3. Purchase new signage to increase the library’s visibility by May, 2014.
D. Begin working towards a new, state-of-the-art library that will address critical space shortages, provide a technology center and accommodate expanding content, services and programs.
     1. Create a fundraising committee to lead fundraising efforts by September, 2013.
     2. Appoint a highly motivated chairperson to lead the fundraising committee by December, 2013.
     3. Create a building plan, with public input, with elements and spaces to be included in the new building by January, 2014.

Future Space Needs Plan

During the 2000’s, planning began for an expanded or new building. While an expansion was decided upon in 2001 during a long-term planning effort by the Library Board of Trustees, it was evident that a new building would be needed by 2005, when a future space needs analysis was performed. The plan, based on usage and projected growth in the community, recommended that the Buda Public Library be built a new 26,456 square foot facility to serve a population of 30,000 people. 

Recommended Specifications
26,456 sq. ft. facility with room for:

• 70,000 items
• Seating for 210
• Meeting room for 150
• Study area for 35
• Conference room for 20
• Computer lab with 20 stations
• Additional 35-40 public access computer stations
• Ample staff workspace

10,000 sq. ft. for future building expansion
46,200 sq. ft. for 100 parking spaces
17,500 sq. ft. for future parking needs

Until a new building is completed, the library will use available space and material as wisely and efficiently as possible.

Revision Schedule

In March of each year, the library director will evaluate the plan, marking off items that were completed and determining which items are still realistic objectives for the coming year. This plan will be taken to the Library Commission, who will provide input on the changes suggested.

The Long Range Plan should be thoroughly revised in April, 2017, with work to begin in October, 2016.

Recommended for approval by the Library Commission - April 12th, 2012
Approved by Buda City Council - April 17th, 2012

Download the library's 2012 Long Range Plan