HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – Hastings Public Library has been awarded gold accreditation by the Nebraska Library Commission for its service to the community.

The library received its first gold accreditation in 2014 and its Silver Accreditation in 2018. The accreditation application includes a Community Needs Response Plan or strategic plan. Hastings Public Library began developing its plan with community survey results in October 2023 and expanded plans with public feedback through surveys on Engage Hastings throughout the spring of 2024.

The purpose of accreditation is to promote excellent library service and set standards for the services they provide. This success also puts the library at the forefront of applying for government aid and grants.

Library Director Amy Dissmeyer credits staff for maintaining a high standard and making this success possible.

“The staff plays a role in this every day by performing the programs, preparing the programs and serving people every day,” Dissmeyer said. “The number of people serving all games has been included in the statistics leading up to this achievement, so staff have been heavily involved in this. It is really to their credit that we have achieved this.”

Dissmeyer said feedback from the community, as well as staff, plays a role in maintaining high standards.

“We look at input from the community about what kind of materials, books, what kind of programs they need, and then we respond to that,” Dissmeyer said. “We did this this year through the community survey that the Council did and that was a huge boost for us, it was a great starting point for us.”

He also said that programming was very important for the library to achieve gold accreditation.

“Our community is really supportive of our programs. Our programs are very well attended, so that’s a big part of that gold standard, and we’re very proud of that,” Dissmeyer said. “I’m proud of the library staff who put on the programs and how well attended they are, and we intend to continue that as long as we can.”

Dissmeyer also said teamwork from other city departments helps make creative programming possible at the library.

“All departments in the city are starting to work together really closely to address the community’s need for programming,” Dissmeyer said. “Museum, Parks and Recreation. and the library is starting to work very closely to meet those needs, so this is a really exciting opportunity for us.”

To provide feedback about Hastings Public Library or to view the library’s strategic plan, go to: Use the Hastings website For library feedback results from the 2023 Hastings Community Survey, visit: City of Hastings website.

Click here To subscribe to our KSNB Local4 daily recap and breaking news alerts delivered directly to your inbox.

Copyright 2024 KSNB. All rights reserved.