Wheeler Memorial Library
49 E Main Street
Orange, MA 01364
978-544-2495
49 E Main Street
Orange, MA 01364
978-544-2495
Moore Leland Library
172 Athol Road
Orange, MA 01364
978-575-0444
172 Athol Road
Orange, MA 01364
978-575-0444
MISSION STATEMENT OF THE ORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The mission of the Orange Public Libraries is to support each resident’s pursuit of personal, educational, and professional growth. To that end we provide free access to diverse resources and experiences, build community by engaging with others and exchanging ideas, and foster a welcoming and safe environment for all.
PRIORITIES
The following service responses were chosen to address community needs:
COMMONS
A library that provides a Commons environment helps address people’s need to meet and interact with others in their community and to participate in public discourse about community issues.
COMMUNITY REFERRAL
A library that offers Community Referral addresses the need for information related to services provided by community agencies and organizations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A library that offers General Information helps meet the need for information and answers to questions on a broad array of topics related to work, school, and personal life.
CURRENT TOPICS & TITLES
A library that provides Current Topics and Titles helps to fulfill community residents’ appetite for information about popular cultural and social trends and their desire for satisfying recreational experiences.
LIFELONG LEARNING
A library that provides Lifelong Learning service helps address the desire for self-directed personal growth and development opportunities.
BUSINESS & CAREER INFORMATION
A library that offers Business and Career Information service addresses a need for information related to business, careers, work, entrepreneurship, personal finances, and obtaining employment.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
SERVICE RESPONSE: COMMONS
GOAL: Community members will have a welcoming, comfortable, and safe space to gather and interact.
OBJECTIVE 1: Wheeler’s roof replacement, drainage improvements, main level plaster repair, and aesthetic upgrades will be completed by the end of 2029.
OBJECTIVE 2: Apply for a grant from the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) to renovate the Wheeler Memorial Library’s facility and improve its accessibility. The next grant round is expected to open in 2028.
SERVICE RESPONSE: COMMUNITY REFERRAL
GOAL: Citizens in need will have improved access to providers of social services.
OBJECTIVE: The Wheeler Library will facilitate community members’ connections with social service providers for contact sharing and referrals. Monthly engagement will be tracked to gauge the library’s success in effecting positive change for our users.
SERVICE RESPONSE: GENERAL INFORMATION
GOAL: Orange residents will trust the library to be a reliable provider of resources that meet their information needs.
OBJECTIVE 1: The adult collection will be maintained per the updated collection development policy; measurable benchmarks will be used to gauge improvements in circulation.
OBJECTIVE 2: The library’s Collection Development Policy will be reviewed and revised to ensure the preservation of our community members’ Intellectual Freedom. As declared by the American Library Association, Intellectual Freedom includes “the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment.”
OBJECTIVE 3: The Wheeler’s Local History Room will be cleaned and organized to improve patrons’ access to the collection.
SERVICE RESPONSE: CURRENT TOPICS AND TITLES
GOAL: Children 8 - 12 years old in Orange may safely exercise their interests in current popular culture trends year-round.
OBJECTIVE: Form a Friends of the OPL funded Tween Advisory Group (TAG) to create and run programs of interest to their peers (children ages 8-12). The TAG will run at least 3 programs at the library each school year.
SERVICE RESPONSE: LIFELONG LEARNING
GOAL: Increase engagement with teens and seniors.
OBJECTIVE 1: Plan and run at least two programs each year at the library in cooperation with the Town of Orange’s Council on Aging.
OBJECTIVE 2: Coordinate with area artists and craftspeople to run at least two programs a year that nurture teens’ interest in art and making.
SERVICE RESPONSE: BUSINESS AND CAREER INFORMATION
GOAL: Job seekers and small business owners will have easy access to powerful professional resources.
OBJECTIVE 1: Identify current needs of prospective and existing business owners and job seekers and acquire resources to assist them in reaching their professional aspirations.
OBJECTIVE 2: Invite local small business owners and the Franklin County Community Development Corporation to run workshops at the Library on how to start your own business.