(Strategic) Plan for the Future

Russell County Public Library is revising our five year strategic plan. The theory is that the priorities in the plan drive what we do.  The reality is that it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities of any job. And it's easy for the urgent to push aside the important. (That's why I actually LIKE this process; it keeps you honest about what you should be doing.)

The strategic plan process forces us-staff and board--to look  at what we are doing and justify it; it also makes us admit openly whether we are achieving what we said we were going to achieve. Are we doing the important things? Are we getting the day-to-day things done and done well?

We started by compiling and distributing a survey. (We had help from Beth Trigg at Taproot Consulting.) We offer a heartfelt 'Thank You' to everyone who responded to the survey. Library Staff and Board of Trustees have reviewed the responses to the survey in marathon meetings. The work of compiling the responses into mission, vision, goals, and objectives has begun.

If you responded to the survey, you may be wondering what the results were. Reviewing the results, it's clear that some things would be easily remedied with money. Other things are more complex and subtle. Much of what we learned can be summarized in three points, noted below.

1. more and better technology wanted
2. more books wanted
3. staff are appreciated

Obviously, all those responses can't be funneled down into three bullet points. But as we work through the process, you can know that the board and staff are sincere in our efforts to better serve Russell County.

posted by Kelly McBride Delph

Our Women's History

Handmade Book -- Russell Co. Women's Hall of Fame

Russell County Public Library has highlighted OUR women's history--the history of the women of Russell County--by establishing the Russell County Women's Hall of Fame. Click to see names of the Hall of Fame members.)
Every March for the last five years, RCPL has tried to add to our knowledge of the history of Russell County's women by sponsoring an essay contest during Women's History Month. The subject of the essay must be a woman who is a native of or has lived in Russell County. Essay contest judges recommend women for induction in the Russell County Women's Hall of Fame based on the essays submitted. All essays are included in the Local History files, so our knowledge of our women's history grows every year.

If you look at the list of women in the Hall of Fame (that link above), you will  notice several prominent and notable Russell County women who aren't there. Look at that list and ask yourself if the 'firsts' are there. 
Is our first woman treasurer there?
Is our first woman supervisor there?
Is our first woman superintendent of schools?
Has your church had a woman pastor or deaconess? Is she there?

If you don't see those women, sit down at a keyboard or put pen to paper and write. We keep the word limit to 500, so you won't be intimidated by the writing. In fact, you will probably find it hard to say everything you want in just 500 words. The libraries have computers for typing and scrap paper for writing. What's your excuse?

send the essays to kmcbride@russell.lib.va.us by 5 pm, March 20, 2013

Celebrate Our Women's History
March 28, 4 pm
Lebanon Library
A reception honoring essayists and this year's Hall of Fame inductees

submitted by Kelly McBride Delph