2026-2030 Long Range Plan

Mission

The New Carlisle-Olive Township Public Library fosters community by providing opportunities for creative learning and by connecting people with resources and services to enrich lives.

Core Values

Community
NCPL serves as a vital hub for New Carlisle and Olive Township, providing welcoming spaces, responsive services, rich collections, engaging events, and meaningful learning opportunities. All decision-making—whether related to collections, services, technology, space, or staffing—is driven by a deep understanding of our community’s changing demographics, priorities, and dreams for the future.

Connections
NCPL connects people to the resources and services that enrich their lives. Our collections and databases are thoughtfully curated based on community input, interests, and needs. The library is committed to fostering strong connections with:

  • Local businesses in Olive Township and the Town of New Carlisle to support economic development and collaboration.
  • New Prairie United School Corporation through programs, outreach, and resources that support students, families, and educators.
  • Community organizations, civic groups, and government partners to create a more vibrant and informed community.

Creative Learning
Reading remains at the core of NCPL’s mission, but we recognize that success in today’s world requires a broad range of literacies. In addition to supporting traditional literacy, the library promotes: 

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
  • Financial and Health Literacy
  • Learning for Enjoyment
  • Homesteading and Gardening
  • Native Plant Education
  • Crafts and Creative Expression
  • Fitness Classes 

Inclusion and Accessibility
NCPL is committed to creating a space where all people feel welcome, respected, and supported. We prioritize:

  • Accessibility for all abilities, ensuring that physical spaces, services, collections, and programs are inclusive and usable by everyone.
  • Awareness and support for neurodivergent individuals strive to offer resources, program modifications, and quiet spaces that respect different ways of thinking, learning, and engaging.

By supporting diverse learning needs and life experiences, NCPL helps prepare community members of all ages and abilities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Community Needs and Goals

Overview

The New Carlisle-Olive Township Public Library (NCPL) undertook a thoughtful and inclusive process to develop this long-range plan, ensuring that it reflects the values, needs, and goals of the community it serves.

To gather input:

  • The Administrative Team created and distributed a community-wide survey to gather feedback on library services, programs, collections, and future priorities.
  • The survey was shared broadly through town meetings, Facebook, and in-house marketing for a one-month period to maximize engagement and accessibility.
  • During a dedicated staff meeting, each library team member was invited to contribute three ideas for the plan, ensuring that staff voices and on-the-ground insights shaped the library’s future direction.
  • Library board members were also consulted for their guidance, expertise, and perspectives as stewards of NCPL’s mission.

This collaborative approach helped ensure that the resulting plan reflects a shared vision—one grounded in community connection, inclusive learning, and responsive service.

Community Needs and Goals
Based on survey responses, the community’s goals for the New Carlisle–Olive Township Public Library include expanding inclusive programs for all ages that support wellness, education, social connection, and access to technology. Residents also emphasized the importance of improving outreach, strengthening local partnerships, and increasing accessibility—both in-person and online—to ensure the library remains a trusted, welcoming hub for learning and community engagement.

Current State of the Library
New Carlisle-Olive Township Public Library (NCPL) serves a population of approximately 4,500 in the Town of New Carlisle and the surrounding rural community in Olive Township. NCPL also serves many reciprocal borrowers from the greater St. Joseph County area and the neighboring La Porte County, particularly Hudson Lake.  Our patrons consistently express appreciation for a clean, safe, and well-maintained space that is welcoming and comfortable. They value staff who are knowledgeable, helpful, and approachable, creating a positive and supportive library experience. The collection of books, DVDs, and audiobooks remains a central service, along with access to online resources. Patrons also enjoy interactive and engaging spaces within the library, as well as access to outdoor areas that encourage learning, creativity, and connection with nature. In 2024, the library experienced strong growth across several key areas:

  • Door Count increased by 9.4%, reflecting greater community engagement and foot traffic.
  • Program Attendance rose by an impressive 112%, showing strong interest in our events and activities.
  • Digital Resource Usage, particularly through Libby and Hoopla, grew by 54%, highlighting a continued shift toward convenient, on-demand access to books, movies, and more.

These numbers demonstrate the library’s expanding role as a vital, responsive resource for the community.

Assessment of facilities, services, and technology

Facilities

Renovations were completed in 2020, including a new roof, additional outdoor spaces, and the replacement of worn interior finishes.   The boiler and chiller were replaced in 2022 and 2023 respectively.  The Pelican Control System was updated in 2023.  

Planned Facility Improvements and Enhancements

  • Outdoor Spaces: We will continue to enhance our outdoor areas with the addition of plants in the native plant gardens, enhancements to the Exploration Garden, and improvements to the Reading Garden, including the addition of new seating to create more welcoming and usable spaces for all ages.
  • Youth Department: Additional shelving will be added to support the growth of the youth collection and improve access to popular and in-demand materials.
  • Facility Infrastructure:
    • Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems will be replaced as needed to maintain efficient and effective climate control throughout the building.
    • A Building Automation System (BAS) will be installed in the mechanical room to improve system monitoring, control, and energy efficiency.

Services

Lifelong Learning & Creative Expression

  • Crafts: offer adult crafting program, one children’s and teen class per month 
  • Writing & Literature: Writing groups, author visits, speaker series, and book discussions. 
  • Music & Performing Arts: Concerts, music education for kids
  • Hands-on Workshops: How-to sessions on genealogy tools, digitizing photos, and library equipment use
  • Cultural Exploration: food classes, book discussions, beginning foreign language instruction

Community Wellness & Social Connection

  • Health & Wellness: senior exercise, evening exercise classes 
  • Senior Programs: Social spaces for older adults and retirement readiness workshops.
  • Social Events: Game/puzzle nights, interactive movies 
  • Homesteading & Gardening: Indoor/outdoor education, sustainability, and native plant programs.
  • Civic Engagement: Public office speakers and community development talks.  
  • Community events and forums that invite residents to engage in meaningful conversations about the ongoing changes and development in the New Carlisle–Olive Township area. 

Youth Engagement & Family Programs

  • Preschool & School-Aged Programs: development of programs for ages 3-5, weekend options once a quarter, sensory-friendly events, and homeschool-focused offerings once a month, after-school programming twice a month. 
  • Teen Programming: Art, CPR/babysitting training, social opportunities
  • Family Events: Interactive movies, presenters including magicians, animals and puppets. 
  • Summer Programming: Weekly programming including crafts, STEM programs, cooking, kids’ book clubs, and Summer Reading program

Library Services Beyond the Building

  • Community Engagement: Participate in community events as much as staff scheduling will allow
  • Digital Access and Expansion: Grow our digital collection of books, movies, and music to meet rising demand and ensure access for all patrons, including those who cannot regularly visit the library in person.
  • Outreach Services: Continue services to nursing homes and homebound patrons, reaffirming our commitment to reaching underserved populations. 

Overall Service Goals

  • Program Participation: Increase participation in adult and teen programming by 3% annually, while maintaining stable attendance levels in children’s programs through consistent quality and engagement.
  • Library Visits: Increase the total number of annual visitors to the Library by 3% each year, reflecting continued growth in community engagement and use of library spaces. 
  • Local History: Continue to make accessible New Prairie High School yearbooks, preserving them for future generations and increasing ease of access for researchers and community members.  Organize and enhance the local history room to provide better access to valuable materials, including scrapbooks, newspapers, and genealogy resources. This effort will support local research and strengthen community connections to the area’s history. 

Technology Goals 

The Library currently offers the following technology for public use:

  • Public computers
  • Fax
  • Copier
  • Scanners for prints, negatives, and slides
  •  Wi-fi
  • Apple TVs in meeting and conference rooms
  • 3D printer
  • Cricut –  Smart Cutting Machine

NCPL is committed to providing relevant technology to staff and patrons, enabling them to serve the library’s mission and meet the community’s needs. Emerging technologies will be assessed for their relevance to the community’s needs.

Equipment Replacement Schedule

Given the rapidly evolving technology landscape and the increasing ownership of personal devices, we are shifting away from traditional equipment replacement schedules.

Available budget, patron needs, and actual equipment usage will guide future technology replacement decisions. The Director, Assistant Director, and relevant staff will meet at least annually to evaluate current technology usage data to inform these decisions.

Financial Resources and Sustainability

  1. The library’s Operating Fund Budget will be aligned with available public funding sources and will not exceed the maximum levy growth quotient established for each budget year.
  2. To enhance our service goals, we will seek supplemental support through donations from the New Carlisle–Olive Township Friends of the Library and apply for grants that align with identified service priorities.
  3. In preparation for future capital needs, we will continue to allocate funds to the Rainy Day Fund to ensure financial flexibility and long-term sustainability.

Professional Development Strategy

Four staff members, the Director, Assistant Director, Adult Services Coordinator, and Youth Services Coordinator, are required to maintain their Indiana Librarian Certification at levels appropriate to their responsibilities.

Attendance at in-person library conferences and roundtables for professionals and paraprofessionals is strongly recommended. Staff will have access and off-desk time for virtual learning opportunities, including webinars and readings. Funds from the library operating budget will be appropriated each year for this purpose as they are available.  A new hire orientation will train all new employees on NCPL’s service priorities.

Training will be offered to all staff through bi-yearly staff meetings and webinars including:

  • AI Tools for Research Assistance:
    Train staff on the use of AI-powered tools to assist with research, reader’s advisory, writing support, and reference services. 
  • Digital Literacy & Emerging Technologies:
    Provide ongoing training on digital literacy, including evaluating online information, using digital resources, and navigating new technologies.
  • Customer Service
    Offer workshops focused on inclusive, trauma-informed, and customer-centered service, reinforcing the library’s commitment to being a welcoming space for all.
  • Library Systems and Tools:
    Ensure staff are proficient in the ILS, and digital collections platforms (like Libby/Hoopla/Ancestry/Newsbank/INSPIRE).
  • Safety and Crisis Response:
     Provide periodic training on safety protocols, emergency response, mental health awareness, and sexual harassment

Ongoing Evaluation Process

The Director will make bi-annual reports to the Board of Trustees regarding progress on the Long Range Plan.  

Key staff members will meet annually in August to review progress and establish priorities for the upcoming year. 

Collaboration with Public Libraries and Community Partners

NCPL is committed to building strong relationships and seeking out meaningful collaborations with both community partners and other public libraries.

Community Partnerships

  • Collaborate with Olive Elementary to ensure every student receives a student library card. NCPL will provide interactive activities at the library to classroom teachers monthly or as schedules allow, supporting curriculum goals and enhancing classroom learning with engaging, library-connected resources.
  • Provide space for community organizations to host meetings and gatherings.

  • Offer after-hours use of the library for community meetings or social events when possible.

  • Participate in community events as much as staff schedules will allow. 
  • The Library Director will attend at least one meeting annually of the New Carlisle Business and Community Association (NCBCA), Town of New Carlisle, Olive Township, and the NPUSC School Board to stay informed and engaged.

Collaboration with Other Libraries

  • Offer reciprocal borrowing to patrons from neighboring library districts, including through the Statewide Reciprocal Borrowing Covenant.
  • Participate in SHARE to facilitate interlibrary loans.
  • Contribute to and benefit from the Indiana Digital Library (OverDrive), expanding digital access for our patrons.
  • Stay connected through library roundtables and Indiana State Library email lists, ensuring NCPL remains engaged in professional development and statewide initiatives.