Library System Five-Year Plan of Service -- 2016-2021
Background, Due Dates and Next Steps
Brief Background - What is the Five-Year Plan of Service?
The Five-Year Plan of Service is a planning document which identifies, organizes, and provides an overview of the library system’s service program. The Plan emphasizes what the library system proposes to accomplish for its member libraries and library users over a five year period.
The Plan is also a “contractual agreement” between the State Library and each library system and is required by Education Law and Commissioner’s Regulations. An approved Plan of Service is the basis, along with system annual reports and system state aid applications, for the authorization of annual State aid payments to library systems.
The purpose of the Plan of Service for all types of systems is to:
- State the basic agreement between the State and the governing board of the system.
- Describe the mutual commitments, responsibilities and obligations of the system and its members.
- Share the system’s mission, goals, intended results and evaluation methods with its members and with the State Library, and
- Determine how the system meets the service needs of its community, region, and the State.
More background on the Five-Year Plans of Service and links to System web pages with plans
What are the Due Dates for the 2016-2021 Plan of Service?
The due dates for the 2016-2021 Plans of Service will be:
| System Type | Due Date |
Effective Date |
Reference and Research Library Resources Councils |
April 1, 2016 |
July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2021 |
School Library Systems |
April 1, 2016 |
July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2021 |
Public Library Systems |
October 1, 2016 |
January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2021 |
What are the Next Steps?
Currently all library systems are operating under an approved 2011-2016 Five-Year Plan of Service. The State Library’s internal 2016-2021 Plan of Service Team, appointed by State Librarian Bernie Margolis in January 2014, has begun its work in planning for the format and content of the new 2016-2021 Plan of Service.
The goal of the POS Team is to have the online 2016-2021 Plan of Service framework finalized and available to library systems by Spring 2015.
The Team will be seeking input and feedback from Library System Directors and staff on draft documents in the coming months.
Following is a tentative timetable showing activities related to the development of the new Plan of Service for the remainder of 2014 and early 2015:
DRAFT April 1, 2014
2016-2021 Library System Five-Year Plan of Service
Overview of Major Activities and Tentative Timetable
Date Due |
Activities |
April 2014 |
State Library discusses POS during system conference calls and sends out background information and due dates to system directors. |
May/June 2014 |
State Library shares draft POS framework with system directors and seeks feedback / improvement suggestions over the Summer. |
Aug/Sept 2014 |
State Library completes consultation with stakeholders. |
Sept 2014 |
State Librarian approves final POS materials. |
Oct/Nov 2014 |
State Library posts final POS materials on the LD website and sends the materials to Baker & Taylor for programming. |
Oct/Nov 2014 |
State Library also sends NYLINE message to system directors announcing deadlines, availability of POS materials on the LD website and staff contact information for assistance. |
Jan 2015 |
State Library staff reviews online POS products for accuracy; Baker & Taylor finalizes the online product. |
Feb/March 2015 |
State Library sends NYLINE messages to inform system directors that online POS is open and available for their use. |
Questions about this document? Please contact us.
See also : Survey [.PDF format
511k] | Instructions [.PDF format 318k] | Outline of Major Changes [.PDF format 113k]
Questions about your system’s current Five-Year Plan of Service? Please contact your regional liaison. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/ldroster.htm#SYS
This document, in .PDF format |
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