Strategic PlanningDurham Public Library

Strategic Planning Steering Committee: February 13, 2006

Dr. Paula M. SingerMs. Gail Griffith, MS, MLS

Ms. Lorraine Kituri, MS

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Agenda Introductions Strategic planning: what & why

Our method for DPL: Search conference Other parts of the process

Role of steering committee members Assignments

Next steps Timeline

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Strategic Planning What Why How

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Why Search Conference? Very high community and staff involvement Short time-frame and limited budget Fits beautifully with other planning activities

in Durham, including (RBA) Results Based Accountability and DDI  (Downtown Durham, Inc.)

Excellent process for DPL’s needs

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What is a Search Conference*? A planning meeting that helps people move from

ideas to action very quickly Task-focused Gets the ‘whole system’ in the room Based on 50+ years of research and practice Used in all sectors of society, and in cultures around

the world

*Adapted from information provided by the Future Search Network

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Conditions for Success Get stakeholders from throughout the system in the room

Large group process Group members should be able to commit to action without seeking

further permission

Explore the ‘whole elephant’ before acting on any part

Keep common ground and future focus front and center. Differences and conflicts are information, not action items

Encourage self-management and responsibility for action by participants before, during, and after the conference

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Conditions for Success Participants attend the full conference

Meet in healthy, comfortable conditions

Allow enough ‘soak time’

Ask for voluntary public commitments to action before participants leave

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MethodologyDay One: A.M.1. Focus on the Past

Timeline of key events

2. Focus on the Present—External Trends Mind Map to identify trends and select key

trends Stakeholder groups describe what they are doing

now in relation to key trends and what they hope to do in the future

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Methodology, continued3. Focus on the Present

Stakeholders report what they are proud of and sorry about in the way they are dealing with the library

Day One: P.M.4. Ideal Future Scenarios

Diverse groups put themselves into the future and describe their preferred future as if it had already occurred

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Methodology, continuedDay Two: A.M.5. Identify Common Ground

Diverse groups post themes they believe are common ground for everyone

Confirm Common Ground Individuals organize into groups by self-selecting

a goal they want to work on

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Methodology, continuedDay Two, P.M. Action Planning

Goal groups write a goal and objectives Each group presents its work and receives

feedback Groups have the opportunity to upgrade their

work

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In a typical process Participants produce a plan that is about 85%

complete Participants have a commitment to the results

and will support moving the work forward A designated small group refines and

completes the document, preserving the group’s original intent

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For More Information Future Search, by

Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff

Discovering Common Ground, edited by Marvin Weisbord

Future Search Network, www.futuresearch.net

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Other Steps /Sources of Data Work of quality councils

Reference/RA, Circulation, Customer Service Best practice research, including

Site visits to local library leaders Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Greensboro, and Henrico (metro Richmond, Va.). 

Library Director panel; all employees invited to attend

Experience of board, staff, Library Director, steering committee, search conference participants and consultants

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Focus1. Contemporary Library Customer Services2. Services to Children and Families, Helping

Children Enter School Ready to Learn*3. Library Contributes to a Vibrant Community

Embracing its Cultural Heritage*4. Learning and Language5. Online Library Services6. Branches and Regional Libraries

*Durham County RBA Priority Outcomes

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Community communication HIGH level of communications within and

external to the library throughout the process Transparent process Through multiple channels E-mail hotline WIKI

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What’s a wiki? Web software designed for collaboration

‘Wisdom of the Crowds’ Easy to use

No special software knowledge or training required Can add text, photos, movies, more

Can set the desired levels of control and access Can keep private or make public Can distribute and share passwords for permission to create, edit, or

moderate Anyone can comment without having a password

From the Hawaiian, wiki-wiki means quick Wikipedia is an example

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Why a wiki for DPL? Large number of people involved

Lots of research, data produced Want to be able to share it widely

Can use a variety of visual and audio media to share information

Easy to update Anyone can participate, share opinions Can use it to publish a portfolio

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Tour Now/Visit Later Much easier to experience than to describe!

Durham County Library Strategic Plan wikihttp://dclstrategicplan.pbwiki.com/

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Roles of key players Library Director Core planning team Steering Committee members Consultants

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DPL’S Search Conference Location to be determined Dates

May 18, 9:00—4:00 May 19, 8:30—2:00

Develop list of stakeholders to invite

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Timeline and Milestones See attached calendar

AssignmentsOther issues, questions?