1. The people of Marquette County should have convenient access to all library services being provided by all county municipal libraries within the county on the same terms as local municipal residents supporting such libraries. The people should be free to use any or all libraries at their discretion.

2. Nothing in the county plan of service or the formula for reimbursement should inhibit the ability of the libraries to aggressively promote the use of libraries by all county residents.

3. The participating libraries recognize a responsibility to provide library services in the most cost effective manner. Each library will initiate or continue a planning process, including shared automation projects and cooperative reference access, in order to provide the most needed services in the most cost-effective way.

4. The participating libraries recognize that there is an illiteracy problem in the county, and the libraries have a responsibility and an important role to play in community efforts to combat illiteracy.

5. Residents of those municipalities with libraries should be assured access to the other libraries in Marquette County. No compensation will be necessary when respective use is determined to be reciprocal.

6. Residents of Marquette County should have access to the resources of other libraries within the Winnefox Library System. It is the responsibility of the County to reimburse libraries for that service. (Wis. Stat. 43.11(3)(c)) in accordance with the Plan. No compensation shall be necessary when respective use between the counties is reciprocal.

a. Marquette County shall provide reimbursement to Winnefox member libraries serving Marquette County residents living outside of municipalities with libraries at the same level of reimbursement (excluding grants and support for shared services) as is paid to Marquette County libraries.

b. Winnefox Library System member libraries located outside Marquette County electing to request payment must submit a bill for service provided in the preceding calendar year to the County Library Services Committee by August 1 of each year so that an amount may be budgeted for the following fiscal year.

7. Residents of the Winnefox Library System should have access to the resources of other libraries outside of the Winnefox Library System. No compensation will be necessary when respective use between systems is determined to be reciprocal.

Priority I: All libraries in Marquette County recognize the value of establishing reading skills in youth as a basis for lifelong learning and will continue to consider services to children and families to be of primary importance.

Activities:

1. The libraries will utilize the services of the Winnefox Marketing Consultant to extend services to non-users through a library card sign-up campaign and other means.

2. Recruit new preschoolers for weekly story hours by contacting and inviting local day care centers.

3. Correlate library story hours with preschool curriculum

4. Implement after school programs for middle school aged children.

5. Continue to offer summer reading programs and attempt to get more involvement, perhaps by starting a teenage or adult summer reading programs.

Priority II: The libraries in Marquette County will become the center of community life for all citizens of Marquette County.

Activities:

1. Support community events by providing resources such as meeting space, publicity, or cosponsoring activities with other county organizations.

2. Become the primary resource for community information for all county residents by collecting and disseminating brochures, maintaining bulletin boards, disseminating tourist information, etc.

3. Provide a local history/genealogy section recognizing the contributions of veterans and other citizens to Marquette County.

4. Provide a comfortable atmosphere within libraries for visiting and meeting with neighbors.

5. Examine community need and change hours as needed to reflect community preferences.

6. Provide a variety of support services to the greater Marquette County community that may not be readily available elsewhere such as tax forms, a copy machine, fax machine, public access computers, etc.

7. Provide lectures, classes, etc. of interest to adult library users.

Priority III: Marquette County Libraries will play a lead role in providing access to information technology to all citizens of the county, and they will take a lead role in promoting information literacy in the county.

Activities:

1. Provide public access to the Internet as well as one-on-one training for those that need it.

2. Increase the number of personal computers available for public use, especially those connected to the Internet.

3. Make available to the public at least one computer with word processing software for creating resumes, letters, or any other personal need.

4. Work with the library system to increase the number of licensed databases available to the public through library web pages.

5. Provide classes to the public in using information technology such as how to use Ebay, assistance with distance education, etc.

6. Make sure that all computers within each library are updated frequently enough that the public service is not limited by equipment obsolescence. (Replace all computers on an average of every 5 years.)

Priority IV: Marquette County libraries will work closely with local schools and families that home school their children as partners in the educational process.

Activities:

1. Consult with school staff to obtain information on curriculum needs to provide better resources for students' homework needs.

2. Provide book talks and other programs in classrooms to encourage students to visit the library.

3. Encourage class visits to the library including visits from Headstart and preschools.

4. Sponsor displays on behalf of the schools such as student art works.

5. Consult with local and statewide organizations to ascertain material needs of home school families.

Priority V: County libraries recognize the need to serve all citizens of the county, including those with disabilities and other special needs.

Activities:

1. Form partnerships with both public and private sector service providers to both assess the needs of disabled individuals in the county and reach those in need of library services.

2. Resolve accessibility issues to make sure that all facilities and technology is user friendly to all including those with disabilities.

3. Increase the availability of home delivery of material utilizing volunteers.

4. Offer materials in large print, Spanish, and other alternative formats.

Priority VI: County libraries will be proactive in meeting changing needs within the county.

Activities:

1. Work with groups representing new immigrants, Headstart, family first, etc., to support mutual efforts to teach English.

2. Work with the Marquette County Literacy Coalition to provide learning material for adult new readers in the county.

3. County libraries will provide alternative information formats, such as books on tape, and adult easy readers for those with low reading/literacy skills.

4. Library directors will continue to attend Library Advisory Committee meetings and meetings of other community organizations to discuss mutual concerns.

5. Continually evaluate usage patterns within the libraries, discontinuing services that are no longer relevant while seeking out new services to meet emerging needs.

6. Revisit and update the long-range plan on a regular basis.

7. Stay in touch with governmental officials soliciting their opinions regarding community needs.

Priority VII: Libraries within Marquette County will facilitate lifelong learning for all residents of the county.

Activities:

1. Consider adult learning needs to be a central collection development priority.

2. Provide quite areas for study as well as access to the latest in distance learning technology.

3. Increase programming for adults

4. Develop and expand online reference capabilities with the assistance of the Winnefox Library System.

5. Continue to expand the resources of the library beyond the walls using ILL and electronic resources.