Year Four (fiscal year 2025-2026) in Review

  • GOAL: Prioritize high-demand materials, services, and technology
    • Planned high-quality, professional programming for teens & adults (ages 14+), including winter sowing with Master Gardeners, watercolor painting, tarot card reading. More than 47% increase in adult program attendance over a slightly lower number of total programs.
    • Launched Kanopy video-on-demand platform.
    • Purchased additional hotspots to meet patron demand of wifi-on-the-go (also helps support Kanopy streaming service).
    • Continued to promote e-resources, including during Winter Reading Challenge. More than 14.5% increase in number of registered users, and more than 12% increase in digital usage compared to previous fiscal year.
    • Launched new makerspace.
    • Added many more items to Library of Things collection.
    • Completely updated youth games corner offerings.
  • GOAL: Increase tech literacy for all ages
    • Staff became familiar with new offerings Palace Project and Kanopy.
    • Staff trained on NoveList and got overview of other EBSCO databases.
    • Staff trained on new makerspace equipment.
    • Patrons began learning makerspace equipment for limited projects during open maker hours, then for specific monthly make and take kits.
  • GOAL: Increase awareness of library materials and services to improve community engagement
    • Invited local businesses to storytime, including From Spore to More and All Ways Art Gallery.
    • Strengthened ties with community partners, including Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, McHenry County Conservation District, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program, Police and Fire departments, District 3 and PTO, District 155 Interact Club, Rec Council, Lions Club, Cary-Grove Food Pantry, Operation Dropbox, Home of the Sparrow, and Soul Harbour Ranch.
    • Placed advertisements in District 3 PTO Directory and CGHS music department playbill.
    • Had promotional booth at annual Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce Halloween Walk.
    • Planned and executed District 3 summer exploratory STEAM series for grades K-2.
    • Promoted Library Card Sign-Up Month (September) with open house event, prize drawing & scavenger hunt. Nine new FRGML cards were registered during September 2025.
  • GOAL: Investigate the facility’s ability to meet patron needs
    • Set up space for makerspace furniture, shelving, storage, and equipment.
    • Met with makerspace advisory committee to gain feedback.
    • Updated parking lot signage.
    • Replaced outdated computers and updated technology replacement schedule.
    • Added emergency lighting to meeting room and both bathrooms downstairs.

Year Three (fiscal year 2024-2025) in Review

  • GOAL: Prioritize high-demand materials, services, and technology
    • Promoted e-resources during Winter Reading Challenge, leading to increased usage (more than 13% increase in number of registered users, more than 12% increase in digital usage compared to previous fiscal year)
    • Added more youth literacy programs (Book Buddies, Silly Storytellers, Snowy Day Soiree) and incorporated literacy into art and STEM programs (It’s Elementary, It’s Elementary Junior)
    • Researched alternatives to DVDs to continue providing popular media to patrons
    • Expanded and relocated graphic novel collection in Youth Services to an area with room to grow
    • Adult Services implemented a new program feedback form for participants
    • Picked back up purchasing of graphic novel series installments in young adult collection
  • GOAL: Increase tech literacy for all ages
    • Youth Services staff was fully trained on how to use digital resources
    • Continued to promote mobile app to increase usage by almost 34% over previous fiscal year
    • Planned initiative and partnered with District 3 to promote e-resources and provide access on school devices
  • GOAL: Increase awareness of library materials and services to improve community engagement
    • Promoted Library Card Sign-Up Month (September) with open house event and a prize drawing
    • Held passive scavenger hunt program in Teen & Adult Services to increase patron awareness of offerings
    • Hosted preschool fair at Library, offered to schedule onsite storytime with participating preschools
    • Placed advertisements in District 3 PTO Directory and CGHS music department playbill
    • Had promotional booth at annual Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce Halloween Walk
    • Donated Library branded bags to Miss Cary-Grove pageant participants
    • Established brand recognition by creating an in-house style guide for staff to use for marketing materials
    • Trained staff to be aware of and promote all Library services and programs across departments
    • Increased collaboration and cross-promotion with community partners (township, village, rec council, school)
  • GOAL: Investigate the facility’s ability to meet patron needs
    • Added Book Nook to Youth Services
    • Continued to update replacement schedule for all technology devices throughout the year
    • Replaced 2 patron computers and 1 OPAC computer (also 2 staff computers and a staff laptop)
    • Reconfigured patron computer, community puzzle, and study areas in Teen & Adult Services

Year Two (fiscal year 2023-2024) in Review

  • GOAL: Prioritize high-demand materials, services, and technology
    • Promoted e-resources, leading to increased usage
    • Increased number of adult programs offered by 10%
    • Increased number of young adult programs offered by over 41%
    • Updated monthly adult take & make kits from exclusively crafts to include quarterly puzzles
  • GOAL: Increase tech literacy for all ages
    • Continued semimonthly technology programs for patrons taught by staff
    • Youth Services staff trained on mobile printing procedures at quarterly all-staff meeting
    • Promoted mobile app to increase usage by more than 144% over previous fiscal year
  • GOAL: Increase awareness of library materials and services to improve community engagement
    • Promoted Library Card Sign-Up Month (September) with incentives and a prize drawing
    • Updated format to easy-to-read calendar for e-blast to District 3 families
    • Advertisements in District 3 PTO Directory and CGHS music department playbill
    • Donated Library branded bags to Miss Cary-Grove pageant participants
    • Promotional booths at YMCA Healthy Kids Day and Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce Halloween Walk
    • Partnered with Village to combine caroling with FRG’s tree lighting and hosted indoor portion of event
  • GOAL: Investigate the facility’s ability to meet patron needs
    • Updated replacement schedule for all technology devices
    • Replaced 2 patron computers and 2 staff computers
    • Replaced Youth Services circulation desk
    • Reconfigured seating and play areas in Youth Services
    • Removed choking hazard manipulatives, added more appropriate play items in Youth Services
    • Added cozy furniture to fireplace lounge area in Adult Services
    • Opened up Adult Services study area to accommodate more programs and meetings upstairs
    • Held programs outdoors on grassy area adjacent to parking lot
    • Added name, address, and hours decals to front door and added parking lot entrance signs

Year One (fiscal year 2022-2023) in Review

  • GOAL: Prioritize high-demand materials, services, and technology
    • Added app for patrons to search catalog, place holds, access eContent and online links
    • Increased OverDrive Advantage purchases based on patron holds
    • Added middle school programming: Read It & Eat and But I’m So Hungry!
    • Added art programs for unserved ages: Art Explorers and Art Attack
    • Added monthly Sensory Storytime
    • Added 11 new hotspots for circulation
    • Added middle school science program in response to popularity of It’s Elementary Jr. and It’s Elementary, in addition to patron demand: Baker Street Investigations
    • Spearheaded National Library Pen Pal Program with libraries across North America
  • GOAL: Increase tech literacy for all ages
    • Added semimonthly technology programs for patrons taught by staff
    • Promoted Book-A-Librarian service
  • GOAL: Increase awareness of library materials and services to improve community engagement
    • Increased frequency of print newsletter to six issues per year
    • Promoted Library Card Sign-Up Month (September) with activities and incentives
    • District 3 field trips included form for library card sign-up/renewal with permission slips
    • Brought travelling collections for off-site checkouts to events, including Storytime in the Parks
    • Added nonfiction and picture book signage
    • Added digital rotating slideshow of promotional graphics
  • GOAL: Investigate the facility’s ability to meet patron needs
    • Completed capital needs assessment November 2022
    • Budgeted for new Youth Services Circulation Desk for FY 2023-2024
    • Added many sensory items for in-house use and home checkout added to collection, including sensory kits, the Calming Corner tent, and alternative seating options