A new Strategic Plan that charts the future course for Greenwich Library was unanimously adopted by the Library's Board of Trustees at its meeting on June 12.
"While some may argue that libraries are not relevant in the digital age, it is very clear that the Greenwich community loves its library and cares deeply about its future," said Nancy Better, President of the Library Board of Trustees. "The world is changing around us, and we must change with it."
The Plan is the culmination of an eighteen month-long process which included a community-wide survey, focus groups, a Trustee survey, a staff survey and retreat, as well as countless hours of analysis and evaluation by the Strategic Plan Steering Committee. Staff and Trustees worked with consultant Maureen Sullivan, now the President of the American Library Association, and Berk Associates, a Seattle-based consulting firm, throughout the process.
The Strategic Plan builds upon the Library's strengths and identifies five key areas of focus: Collections, Technology, Lifelong Learning and Enrichment, Service and Community Space and Community and Connections. Strategic Initiatives within each of these five topical areas outline short- and medium-term efforts to improve operations. A new mission and vision are identified within the Plan, along with a new set of values.
"Over the next five years, patrons will see Greenwich Library change in significant ways, maintaining the core aspects that make the Library a cherished Greenwich institution while boldly embracing new approaches, new technologies and new priorities," said Carol Mahoney, Greenwich Library Director.
Library staff has already begun implementing changes identified throughout the planning process, said Mahoney. When 83% of respondents to the Community Survey indicated they would like to be contacted via email, staff launched a bi-weekly e-newsletter which highlights collections and services, as well as programs. The Library has begun sending all borrowing notices by email, as well. A staff programming committee has been organized to review current programs and make recommendations. The committee's goal is to plan programs that promote and extend the collections, services and mission of Greenwich Library. This spring, the Library will launch a new Self-Service area, which includes self pick-up of holds.
Following are ten Strategic Initiatives identified in the Plan:
- Continue to expand and curate our collections and provide easy access to Library resources.
- Embrace and integrate emerging media into our collections.
- Use appropriate media and targeted messages to raise patron awareness of relevant Library resources.
- Ensure our patrons and staff have access to established and emerging technologies and the opportunity to achieve technological literacy.
- Meet the needs and interests of Greenwich residents by making strategic programming choices.
- Support the academic and life success of Greenwich children by promoting early literacy and a love of reading.
- Strengthen our focus on satisfying the questions, needs and preferences of our patrons.
- Reimagine our public spaces to reflect changes in technology and how people use the Library.
- Strengthen our community of readers by increasing patron connections to one another and to our collections.
- Expand and focus our partnerships for the collective benefit of the Greenwich community.
Mahoney said the Library will use the Plan to develop services and collections, "We will focus on partnerships, building community and providing access to technology. The Library will be truly integrated into the community. Greenwich Reads Together is a great example of partnership, and we look forward to organizing more initiatives like this," she said.
"We're excited about completing the Plan, not because the document is 'finished' but because our future path is clear and the journey is underway."
To read the complete Plan, please visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/strategy.
