The Strategic Reality Check An Infopeople Webinar with Joan Frye Williams and George Needham October 28, 2010

Most libraries already have a strategic plan

Countless meetings

Civilian input I’VE GOT A GREAT NEW IDEA-- LIBRARIES SHOULD HAVE COMPUTERS!

Service responses

Vision statement LIBRARY

Values statement Integrity Communication Respect Excellence

Goals, objectives, and metrics

Changing facilities

Changing library leadership

Changing political leadership

Changing service model

Changing role of the central library

Changing finances

Are you still on course?

No way you want to start over

A new approach to planning Pragmatic Cost-effective Timely Flexible Motivational Developmental

Service assessment Community check in Guiding principles Realignment

Service assessment

Start with the service-related data

What are you telling your community? Website Newsletter Social media Press releases Annual reports Signage Instructional materials Mission, vision, values

What are you telling yourself? Staff newsletters and memos Intranet Director’s messages Internal communications Job descriptions Staff evaluations

Observation

Take a look at service outside the library

How well does your service match your promises?

Community check in

Review plans that are already in place City or county strategic plans Business initiatives Not-for-profit organizational goals School district planning Infrastructure projects

Review existing survey data

Who else is planning your community’s future?

How does your community see itself?

What are your community’s hopes for the future?

How can the library help realize those hopes?

Guiding principles

This I believe…

What are your decision-making criteria?

Realignment

Compare your strategies to Your library’s strengths Your community’s vision of itself Your principles

Check for sustainability

Modify to match

Repeat as needed

Let’s continue the conversation Visit