Saugus Library planners make room for improvements

SAUGUS – The Saugus Library Strategic Planning Subcommittee met Tuesday afternoon to update its 2004-05 plan, which included adding some new provisions while checking off several accomplishments.Among the completed provisions were updates to the children?s room and computer equipment along with increased social networking and the digitization of the library?s local history collection.?This is a pretty big tweak,” said Library Trustee vice-chair Teresa Lyons. “We weeded out of the plan all the things we accomplished.”The committee also recommended several new provisions, including building repairs, updates to the library collection and community room, expanding community programs and hiring a new full-time staff member.These changes are all part of the updated plan, which will be voted on by the full board at its next meeting before being submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for final approval.?Nowadays libraries are so much more high tech so that will also be a big part of our future plans,” said Library Director Diane Wallace.Subcommittee members will also look to collaborate more with other town departments like the schools and the historical society.The current strategic plan will carry the library through next summer, while the Board of Trustees will work to develop a brand new plan from scratch by next August.?We have to have a strategic plan,” said board member Sherri Rafferty. “But it also allows us to write grants.”The board will also look to use focus groups and surveys to get the public?s input on the proposed changes.The Library Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday to vote on the changes.