Long Range Strategic Plan 2014-2019

Stephanie Bailey

LIS6409.721F14

October 3, 2014

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Table of Contents

Introductory Memorandum....................................................................................3

Mission, Vision, and Values.....................................................................................4

Mission........................................................................................................................................................... 4

Vision.............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Values............................................................................................................................................................. 5

The Planning Process................................................................................................ 5

Data Collection & Analysis..................................................................................................................... 5

Decision-Making........................................................................................................................................ 6

Plan Completion & Evaluation............................................................................................................. 6

Strategic Goals and Objectives...............................................................................7

References.................................................................................................................. 11

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Introductory Memorandum

To the library director:

I am delighted to present you with a five-year strategic plan for the Public

Library. This comprehensive and community-focused plan will serve as a road map for

transforming the library into a 21st century facility and by doing so, transforming the lives

of our patrons as well. In the rapidly evolving world that we live in, not only is the

information landscape constantly changing, but also new technologies are continuously

emerging. In order to stay relevant in this turbulent sea of change, libraries must adapt

and face the challenges that these changes present.

To this end, the strategic plan will be focusing on improving technology services

for our community. Based on the inclusive and thorough research completed for this plan,

it was determined that technology is the area of our library services that needs additional

attention. By following the strategic plan through, we will be able to increase the access

to information, encourage learning, foster literacies and help our patrons improve their

technological knowledge and skills.

Five years from now, this plan will allow the library to become the hub of the

community. We will be a cutting edge library facility that is conductive to research,

learning and entertainment. To achieve this future vision of our library, we should be

devoting our resources and efforts to carrying out this strategic plan. The plan contains

extensive documentation of the planning process and three long-term goals that include

specific objectives, activities, evaluation procedures and a projected timeline for each

activity.

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Sincerely,

Stephanie Bailey

Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission

The mission statement of this library is to enrich the lives of our diverse

community members by:

Providing exceptional services, programs and resources in order to meet

the educational, recreational and informational needs of the community

Fostering a love of reading and learning in the community

Serving as a community center where we improve the lives of our

community members.

Vision

The library aspires to:

Offer 21st century services for the community by utilizing the latest

technology

Connect our patrons with the tools, resources and information needed to

enrich their lives.

Become the heart of the community by fulfilling our mission statement

and following our guiding values

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Values1

Technology – We meet the 21st century needs of the community by

providing up-to-date technology

Proficiency – We have a knowledgeable and capable staff available to

assist our patrons.

Excellence – We offer high-quality resources, programs and services to

our patrons.

Community – We are customer-focused and work hard to serve our

community.

Equity – We provide free and equal access to all and defend intellectual

freedom and privacy.

The Planning Process

Data Collection & Analysis

Before developing the strategic plan, data was collected about the library and the

community. A needs assessment and SWOT analysis were performed to uncover the

library’s strengths and weaknesses. Afterward, feedback was collected from patrons and

staff. Community surveys, focus groups and interviews were conducted to identify any

issues and trends within the community. Staff members were also surveyed and

interviewed to find out their perspectives on the library’s future and where they see the

library in five years. The library staff also participated in group brainstorming discussions

1 Adapted from New York Public Library's Core Values. (2014) and Vision,

Mission & Values. (2014).

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about emerging issues that could affect the library. Both the public and staff provided

invaluable insights about the changing information landscape and technological shifts.

Decision-Making

Based on the preliminary research and the data that was gathered, key issues and

trends were revealed. The Strategic Plan Project Management Team, Advisory

Committee and the Library Board of Trustees conducted a series of meetings to discuss

these findings in-depth and hone in on a specific area of focus. After much deliberation,

these groups reached the conclusion that technology was area that the library should be

focusing its efforts on to better serve the public. The mission, vision and values of the

library were updated by the Library Board of Trustees to reflect the changing needs of the

community.

Plan Completion & Evaluation

The Library Board of Trustees approved the plan in Fall 2014. In order to receive

feedback from the public about the library’s plans, a draft was displayed on the library’s

website and disseminated through traditional and online media. An open forum was held

to get comments and suggestions from the public. Based on this feedback, a second

edition of the strategic plan was developed and resubmitted to the Library Board of

Trustees. The strategic plan is evaluated every year in order to ensure the goals are being

met and the various activities are being completed within the plan’s projected time frame.

Formative and summative evaluation techniques will be utilized to make sure the

strategic plan stays on track. After this plan has been completed, a new plan will be

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devised so that our library continues to meet the needs of the community in the coming

years.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

Goal #1: To ensure that patrons have access to the technological tools they need

to succeed in this digital age.

Objective Activity Measure Timeline

Provide up-to-

date technology

for library

patrons and

staff

Purchase more public

workstations

Number of

computers and

their usage

statistics

Fall 2014

Upgrade software on

computers

Checklist of

software upgrades

completed

Fall 2014

Purchase a limited number

of e-readers, tablets and

laptops for checkout and for

use in instructional lessons

Quantity of

portable devices

available and their

circulations

statistics

Fall 2017

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Buy a AV system with an

LCD display and projector

for presentations in the

meeting room

Number of

presentations held

in the meeting

room

Spring

2016

Upgrade the infrastructure

with stronger Wi-Fi and

higher bandwidth

capabilities

Measure usage of

Wi-Fi and internet

bandwidth

Fall 2015

Goal #2: To make sure patrons are receiving high quality technology-based

services.

Objective Activity Measure Timeline

Provide

convenient and

efficient ways for

patrons to access

and use library

resources and

services

Purchase self-service

machines and transition

to RFID

Quantity of

machines available

Spring

2018

Install a vending

machine with books and

DVDs

Usage statistics for

the machine

Fall 2019

Revamp library website

to make it more

accessible and allow for

seamless access to

Number of website

visits and circulation

statistics for

electronic resources

Fall 2014

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electronic resources

Add online registration

for new users to the

library website and

enable patrons to sign

up for computer time

and programs online

Number of new

users

Number of patrons

that sign up for

library services and

programs online

Fall 2014

Develop a mobile

version of the library’s

website and create

phone apps for the

OPAC and reference

services

Measure usage

statistics for the

mobile website and

applications

Summer

2015

Goal #3: To ensure that the library staff are knowledgeable and skilled with

technology

Objective Activity Measure Timeline

Provide staff

with learning

opportunities to

expand their

knowledge of

Offer in house training

for library staff

Number of training

sessions held for

staff

Immediately

Allow staff to attend

technology related

Number of staff

receiving external

Twice a year

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preexisting

library

technology and

emerging

technology

trends

conferences,

workshops, and

seminars semi

annually.

training instruction

Hire an additional IT

staff member to

oversee maintenance of

technology and train

library staff members

on new technology use.

Number of staff

members trained to

use newly

implemented

technologies

Fall 2014

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References

Bellingham Public Library Strategic Plan 2013 - 2017. (2012). Retrieved from

http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/about/strategicplan2013-2017.pdf

Boston Public Library Compass: Strategic Plan. (2011). Retrieved from

http://www.bpl.org/compass/strategic-plan/

Levien, R. (2011). Confronting the Future: Strategic Visions for the 21 st Century Public

Library. Retrieved from

http://www.ala.org/offices/sites/ala.org.offices/files/content/oitp/publications/

policybriefs/confronting_the_futu.pdf

New York Public Library's Core Values. (2014). Retrieved from

http://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/mission/core-values

Seattle Public Library Strategic Plan. (2010). Retrieved from

http://www.spl.org/Documents/about/strategic_plan.pdf

Vision, Mission & Values. (2014). Retrieved from

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/mission-vision-values/