Rapid City Public Library Strategic Plan Update

 

Goal: Intuitive, mobile & user-friendly

library services for all ages

 

Objective: Digital Archives

 

Rapid City Knowledge Network:

 

A one-stop online community information source and archive

for the people of Rapid City.

 

 

 

 

 

June 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connecting Local Knowledge Networks

In the age of the internet, the information that is now hardest to find is local. With the world a click away from the kitchen table, the average American now expects to find the information they need within seconds. Nationally and internationally, news providers and database developers have met this demand by making enormous quantities of information available to anyone with a computer and an internet connection. But without the economies of scope and scale provided by national and international markets, local information providers – from newspapers to service clubs to government – struggle to deliver the same timely access to what’s going on in their communities.

 

The lack of easy digital access to local information inhibits economic development, impedes citizen involvement and undermines efforts to protect and preserve local history and culture. This proposal outlines the process for developing a new online resource at the Rapid City Public Library that will improve information flows within the community, make government records management more efficient and effective, and promote economic development by strengthening knowledge networks within the community. This proposal envisions the establishment of a model for other communities interested in improving access to local information.

 

Mission Statement

The Rapid City Knowledge Network, an online information service and community archive, promotes economic development, citizenship and the preservation of history and culture by connecting people to information resources via the Rapid City Public Library.

 

Specifically, the Rapid City Knowledge Network will:

 

4        Allow citizens to more actively engage in the development of public policy affecting our community by providing timely information on meetings and government initiatives and improve access to government records.

 

4        Accelerate information flows and training by strengthening knowledge networks within the community.

 

4        Collect, protect, preserve and make accessible documents, photographs, maps and records important to the history and culture of our community.

 

Proposal for a Pilot Project in Rapid City

This proposal articulates a plan to develop an online community information bank that makes current and historical data available to residents of Rapid City and patrons of the public library around the world.

 

Action Steps

The Rapid City Knowledge Network will:

 

A.        Provide Access to Local History and Culture

Collect, protect, preserve and make accessible documents, photographs, maps and records important to the history and culture of our community.

 

            Action Steps

1.         Conduct a community survey of organizations and institutions to identify and briefly describe collections of historical materials. Consultant.

2.         Empanel a community archives committee to evaluate materials, create a public opinion poll designed to measure community attitudes about access to local information. Consultant & library staff.

3.         Develop priorities for organizing, digitizing, and indexing records and information sources to meet the community’s needs. Committee, consultant & library staff.

4.         Create a virtual community archives site to provide access to historical records and materials. Library staff.

5.         Begin phased digitization, indexing and posting of archival material. Library staff.

 

Proposed Initial Project Partners

- Devereaux Library, SDSMT

- Minnilusa Pioneer Museum & Journey Museum

- Dahl Fine Arts Center

 

B.        Enhance Civic Participation

Allow citizens to more actively engage in the development of public policy affecting our community by providing timely information on meetings and government initiatives and improved access to government records.

 

            Action Steps

1.         Create a centralized process for access to local and state government. Library and City staff.

2.         Allow patrons to “opt in” if they want meeting notifications, news and updates pushed to them on particular topics. Library and City staff.

3.         Provide links to records and documents related to agencies or issues. Library and City staff.

 

Possible Initial Project Partners

- City of Rapid City Departments

- Rapid City Area Schools K-12 & Higher Education

- Pennington County

 

C.        Strengthen Knowledge Networks and Training

Accelerate information flows, training and retraining by strengthening knowledge networks within the community.

 

            Action Steps

1.         Work with Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and local educational institutions to develop a workforce information clearinghouse site. Consultant & library staff.

2.         Provide information on growing and declining employment sectors. Consultant and library staff.

3.         Link to local training opportunities. Consultant & library staff.

4.         Link to help wanted ads at the Rapid City Journal and other providers. Consultant & library staff.

 

Proposed Initial Project Partners

- Western Dakota Technical Institute

- Rapid City Chamber of Commerce

- South Dakota, Department of Labor

- Rapid City Economic Development