Library Planning to [Target Year]Staff Retreat
Meeting Date
PurposeThrough dialog and sharing of information• To envision the best future for community• To envision the best Library as a part of
that community• To learn and listen and share opinion,
facts, & knowledge to help library board and staff develop a strategic plan
LW
Ground rules• Everyone participates, no one dominates• Disagree with grace and tact• Think playfully, speak courageously• Listen as an ally• Share responsibility
Introductions• Name• Job here• How long?• What’s your favorite thing about your job?• Optional: something about yourself that
might surprise your colleagues
What’s important about libraries?
Healthy libraries indicate healthy communitieso Economic healtho Educational healtho Cultural healtho Community health
Planning Context• U.S. public libraries have strong planning
culture• Long history and experience• Vermont DOL encourages local library
planning through Standards program• Has the library built a plan before?
Library planninggrounded in community need• Community vision and need• Library as a part of that
o Addressing needso Serving the vision
Planning• Strategic Plan• Long Range Plan• Facilities Plan• Capital Plan• Service Plan• Development Plan• Technology Plan
Process this time• Community task force – conversation,
gather input and data. Two meetings.• Staff retreat – four hour meeting to review
community input, add library knowledge of program
• Meet with town board, town department heads, and focus groups
• Write plan, and use it!
Town Scan
Town demographic profile• Population, 2008 est.-• Growth 1990 – 2000 % (VT 8.2%)• Growth 2000 – 2008 %• Ethnicity – % white, 2000 census• Median age - (VT, 37.7)• 65 and older – %• Under 18 - %
Town– demographic profile (2)
• Median household income – (1999)$51,000 (VT - $41,000)
• Education levelso Less than H.S. – 8%o Beyond High School – 64%o Bachelor’s or higher – 28%
Review the preliminary Library Service Responses selected by the Planning Committee
Compare to the full list of LS Responses Compare what the library does well to the
LS Responses chosen by the Planning Committee
Are there areas or audiences the Committee missed?
What did the Planning Committee discover?
The Library Landscape
Public libraries are changing 7/2010: Amazon sold more titles for the
Kindle than hardcover books in the previous 3 months
Delivery methods are changing rapidly (smartphones, Netflix, ListenUp VT for audiobooks and ebooks)
Libraries are busier than ever, especially as public computer centers
Other thoughts?
Public libraries are the sameAll public libraries Lend materials Provide ‘certified’ information Provide a “third place,” a community
anchor, a commons Are unique among public institutions in the
breadth of audience and of function
Spending on public library servicesPer capita, monthlyVermont average: $2.61Annual:• Vermont average, 2008 - $31.28• Town Library, 2008 - $• Vermont average, 2006 - $29.44• National average, 2006 - $33.24
Sources of support Planning Town: ? %local tax income, ? %
other Vermont average :72.9% local tax, 27.1%
other National averages: 84.1% local tax, 15.9%
other
2008-2009 VT Public Library Statistics
Library tourand break
Library walkabout• Pretend you’re visiting for the first time, or
showing your mother (lover, grandparent, child) the library for the first time
• What do you see? Neat? Clean? Clear signage? Inviting?
• Note things you like, delight you – note problem areas.
Library StaffCommentsGoals and activitiesBeginning to shift the library
Library goals and activities - start with a laundry list
Results – Library conversations