Our Mission:
The Dedham Library Innovation Team is committed to creating collaborative, positive partnerships between the libraries, schools, public officials, businesses, and residents in order to support the strategic vision and development of a best-in-class, vibrant public library system in Dedham, MA.
DLIT is a registered non-profit in Massachusetts, and is now officially a 501(c)(3) organization.
DLIT is a registered non-profit in Massachusetts, and is now officially a 501(c)(3) organization.
What is a "5-Star" library?
Every year, the Library Journal, a trade publication for librarians, compiles statistics based on the statistics libraries have submitted to their local state agencies. The state agencies roll up their data to the federal level, where it is compiled at the Institute for Library and Museum Services (ILMS). Once the ILMS releases its statistics, the Library Journal rates libraries on four categories: circulation, number of patron visits, public computer usage, and program attendance. Each library that submits the required statistics is rated against other libraries with similar budgets. The 2011 Star Libraries were selected on 2009 data.
The Dedham Library Innovation Team discovered that the Dedham Public Library hasn't been included in the study in the past because it had not submitted the statistics for the number of patron visits or public computer usage. DLIT coordinated a volunteer drive in November of 2010 to count patrons at both libraries over a two-week period to provide a sample size. Later, the trustees bought "people counters" which were installed at all library entrances. Capturing computer usage is a bit more tricky, although DLIT hopes to press the issue so Dedham will soon be able to track and submit the required data for the Library Journal study.
By adding more programs and more actively promoting the library, as well as capturing more data, the Dedham Library Innovation Team hopes to get Dedham included in the study and eventually, become a five-star library!
The Dedham Library Innovation Team discovered that the Dedham Public Library hasn't been included in the study in the past because it had not submitted the statistics for the number of patron visits or public computer usage. DLIT coordinated a volunteer drive in November of 2010 to count patrons at both libraries over a two-week period to provide a sample size. Later, the trustees bought "people counters" which were installed at all library entrances. Capturing computer usage is a bit more tricky, although DLIT hopes to press the issue so Dedham will soon be able to track and submit the required data for the Library Journal study.
By adding more programs and more actively promoting the library, as well as capturing more data, the Dedham Library Innovation Team hopes to get Dedham included in the study and eventually, become a five-star library!
