(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