PLM 2 Term Project

This term project is to create an "action plan" describing the basic reasoning and steps involved in adding a new service or program.  The action plan should relate to the subjects covered in this class and be based on the community analysis from Session 10.

It will be easier for you to complete if you can apply it to your own library setting.  However, you DO NOT have to actually implement the service or program unless you choose to do so at a later time.  The idea for this assignment is to develop the plan for the future service or program (whether real or imagined).

The term paper describing your action plan should be 3-5 pages in length and must include each of these components:

1. Project Title: Something catchy is good but straight-forward is fine, too.
2. Project Intent and Rationale: State why you chose this specific project and why this topic is important to you and to the library’s operation.  How will it affect your patrons and your community?  What is the need?
3. Brief Description of Your Community and Your Library: Describe your community only in relation to this project. Why does the town need this? What would it change about your community? What is happening in your library now? How would this project change that?  Much of this information should come from the community analysis from Session 10.
4. Project Details:  Describe how you intend to begin this project. What resources would you draw on? (i.e. background reading, LSA office, other people, statistics, class readings, etc)  Remember, you don't actually do the research--just describe what you would use. What are the next steps you would take? Who will be involved? Where is the money coming from?
5. Project Time Line:  Describe the time frame in terms of weeks or months that would be required to implement your project.  Use phrases such as: "by April 1st," "within six months," "for six weeks."  Remember, a timeline should include the planning stage, the actual working time period, plus the evaluation period after the project is completed.
6. Project Evaluation:  Explain how you will evaluate your success.  An evaluation must have numbers and comparisons included to be helpful (quantitative).  It must be more than, "if one person smiles or comes in more, we'll feel we succeeded."  How can you measure objectively?  Would it help to count visitors for three months before the project, then during and after the project? If you are weeding- count empty shelves before and after- compare circulation before and after. Think of ways to objectively measure success instead of just guessing.

Additional Information:

• Topics must be submitted to the instructor and approved by the end of Session 13.
• Term projects may be done in teams, perhaps with students from neighboring libraries working together or those in the same ICN location.
• Papers must be computer-written, with the student(s) name appearing on the title page. 
• Papers must be e-mailed and received at least one week before the last class session.