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Gloucester Historical Society

Library and Archives


Strategic Plan
2015-2020

I believe that
the more you
know about
the past, the
better
prepared you
are for the
future.

-- Theodore Roosevelt

VISION
To increase the knowledge of Gloucester
County and to encourage the use of
materials relating to it. To encourage
discussion of the past to influence the
future.
MISSION
To preserve the history of Gloucester
County by collecting and preserving
materials created in or about the county,
inhabitants, and societies. To encourage
debate and knowledge through the
promotion of reading materials. To make
the history of Gloucester County come
alive through historical tours.

The Gloucester Historical Society Library and Archives is currently experiencing an


exciting period of expansion, both in terms of the materials in the collection and the staff
working to preserve them. With the addition of the Redding Collection, generously
donated by Nola Lyon Reddings descendent, Molly Madison, the GHSLA is looking to the
future in order to ensure that these papers can be preserved for the enjoyment of all both
now and in the years to come. In order to do this most effectively, we at the GHSLA are
undertaking a sizable digitization effort as well as renovating our facilities in order to
best house and display the many links to the past currently in our care.

Goals
1.

2.

3.

4.

DIGITZE the incoming


Redding Collection and
the various materials
already at the GHSLA
MODERNIZE the
internal operations of
the GHS and the
external communication
between the GHSLA and
the community at large

Objectives
By the end of calendar year 2015, we plan to:
Process and digitize the entire Redding Collection
Create and maintain a website
Establish a social media presence
Create a digitalization plan for the overall collection
and determine the most important assests to digitize
Develop and implement a collections plan
Adhere to a balanced budget
Stabilize sustainable budget
Establish renewable grant funding

PUBLICIZE the ways in


which the GHSLA serves
the community and
promote the upcoming
changes and
improvements to the
facilities

By the end of calendar year 2018, we plan to:

SUSTAIN the
programming offered by
the GHSLA as well as
the preservation of the
collection.

By the end of calendar year 2020, we plan to:

Have all staff proficient with digitized systems


Expand social media presence
Complete construction of the Cozy Reading Room
Complete digitization of top-tier collection items
Develop public outreach programming plan

Implement public outreach programming


Digitize 15% of the entire collection
Reevaluate technology needs

The Gloucester Historical Society Library and Archives would like to thank its members for
helping to make the future outlined in this plan a possibility. Without your support
throughout the years this institution would cease to be. The Gloucester Historical Society is
committed to continuing to improve and fulfill its role as a cultural institution within the town.
We are counting on the communitys continued support moving forward as well as looking to
engage with prominent businesses and other members of our community in order to create and
implement programs and initiatives that best serve the community at large. Thank you.

SWOT Planning for the Gloucester Historical Society


Strengths
Currently housing the collection well
Members are actively involved in the workings of the historical society
Solid foundation of a card catalog for the collection
Strong ties to local community and state
community
Support for changes from local government
Current staff are enthusiastic and excited
about upcoming changes
Interest from geneological communtiy about
records in collection

Opportunities
Ability to expand into previously occupied
portion of the building
Strengthen ties to state and private universities in town by employing undergraduate
interns and graduate students to assist with
digitization efforts
Publicize efforts through the Redding Collection
Increasing staff allows for increasing public
outreach programs
Increase grantwriting activity
Expand patron base through Internet presence
Start outreach programming such as book
clubs meeting in the Cozy Reading Room
Create an online catalog
Create an active email network to expedite
responses to inqueries from the public
Digitize collection to increase access
Involve members of historical society in digitization efforts
Expand partnerships with local businesses
Expand historical tour program to appeal to
tourists

Weaknesses
Current space is not large enough for the
current collection and the Redding addition
No digitial catalog system in place
Current card catalog system is not extensive
enough
Little use of available grants
Limited librarian/archivist training among
current staff members
No web presence currently
Collection access is limited to our facility
Limited/Few opportunities for professional
development

Threats
Budget needs of other government branches
may usurp the historical society
Competition for public funds
Inability to win grants
Rising cost of materials needed to continue
archival best-practices
Staff may be overwhelmed by new/increased
responsibilities
Changes in technology or software/necessary
applications making updates obsolete quickly
Limited public understanding of all services
offered by historical society
Competition for time of local residents and
potential tourists

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