SWOT

I attempted a SWOT analysis of my local public library, Huntington Beach Public Library. 

Strengths: 

The Children's Library

The library has four floors of books, an extensive reference center, computer center, genealogy center, new releases area, centrally-located reference desk, beautifully remodeled children’s library, and media center to borrow DVD’s and CD’s. The library has also offers e-readers such as Kindles as well as provides online access to “borrow” e-books. Just recently, the library began offering Google Chrome Books for borrowing. And, to keep up with technology trends, patrons can search the catalog via an app for iPhones and Android phones. The library’s community relations is shown through its theater, its connection to the park, and art gallery featuring the art of residents. There are many rooms that community members can rent for events including fitness programs, recitals, competitions, workshops, banquets, and weddings. Homework help is available to elementary and middle school students Mondays through Wednesdays, September through May, and free online tutors are available every day from the local high school Key Club. The library is very comfortable for patrons as there are plenty of tables, chairs, couches, and reading areas, and walls of floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to filter in.

Weaknesses:

The library’s hours can be considered a weakness. In the recent past, it was open on Sundays; however, because of budget cuts, it is now closed. Furthermore, the library opens at 1pm on Mondays. Another weakness is that the Reference desk is unstaffed on Saturday mornings until two hours after opening. Although its mission statement claims, “The Public Library is dedicated to free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and the joys of reading for our diverse community,” there is no obvious evidence of “our diverse community”: all signage, brochures, and fliers are written in English even though demographics show a very large Spanish-speaking population. Another weakness is the young adult area. It is just a small corner on the main floor and lacks a staff member devoted to that space while the children’s library is extensive and rich with activities.

Opportunities:

Changing ethnic demographic base offers opportunities to provide meaningful services to English language learners. Furthermore, because decreasing public school funding reduces programs for students and, in many cases, has eliminated school library programs all together, the library may provide more services to families with school-aged children and young adults. The current economic downturn with the subsequent lost jobs presents opportunities for the library to reach out to such people and offer resources for job hunting, developing skills, and resume writing. Another opportunity can be found in the rapidly changing world of computers and the Internet; patrons may need assistance and workshops to keep current with trends and develop information literacy skills. Also, as education shifts to Common Core State Standards, the public library could offer opportunities to help teachers with this change. In the OPAC, they could label books according to the new lexile/grade-level change.

Threats:

Reduced state and city budgets always threaten library funding including services to the public and collection development. While the library currently has favor and is supported by local government, in the wake of current economic difficulties, public attitudes regarding the library’s importance may wane, thus threatening public support and becoming apparent on ballot measures. In fact, one proposition in this past election (November, 2012), was about reducing funding for public services such as libraries. Furthermore, existing competition such as the large Barnes & Noble bookstores in local entertainment areas and people’s increasing interest in e-readers may draw patrons away from the library. Similarly, people’s increased reliance on Internet search engines such as Google may decrease patron’s use of the library, especially the reference area.