Focus:Public:Planning

From NetworkedLibraries

[edit] Public Libraries - Strategic Planning and Leadership

(What it means to strategically plan and lead technology)

[edit] Checklist for Public Libraries

• Pay attention to social, cultural, economic,and political trends and consider their potential impact on our library. What national trends are evident in our community? Are we developing services and providing resources to meet the needs and interest generated by these trends?
• Collect, track, and analyze library data for patterns of usage and change. (Do we need new ways to gather data that are more helpful to planning for technology?)
• Remember to contact our stakeholders to seek input on library plans. Include representatives from community agencies, educational institutions, businesses, and social and cultural organizatons and groups in our planning process. (Do we have new stakeholders or constituent groups?)
• Spend time within the community to understand the needs and interests of our user population. (Does our community have universal access to technology and resources – how do we contribute to enhancing universal access in our community? What types of computer technology do residents have in their homes? How do they access the Internet?)
• Double-check our policies related to Internet use, patron records, access, copyright, and confidentiality to make sure that new technology applications are reflected.
• Contact the library system to explore group purchases of digital resources.
• Maximize the resource sharing potential of our consortium to expand our collections. Collaborate with other public libraries in the area to evaluate and share electronic resources that will benefit the communities served.
• Compare the last three years of spending for any technology or electronic resources. (What areas show the need for increased funding allocation on a regular basis?)
• Have we taken advantage of all external funding opportunities? (Look at potential grants, community sources, and business sponsorship. Consider a partnership with a school or cultural organization to maximize external funding opportunities.)
• Determine who will represent the library and advocate on our behalf locally, statewide, and nationally. Schedule a briefing with the mayor, as well as community, county, and state representatives, to update them about legislative issues that may affect the library -- and request their active support.
• Review, revise, and expand the “To Do Checklist” of strategic leadership and planning tasks most critical to the needs of our library.

[edit] Illinois Public Library Models

These public library models have been shared by libraries in Illinois.