NCompass Live - http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ncompasslive/ August. 12, 2015. The linkage between strategic planning as a prerequisite for the new accreditation guidelines is obvious to those who have used the guidelines. Less obvious are the various sections of the guidelines that can be used for both long-term and short-term planning. Richard Miller and Laura Johnson, from the Nebraska Library Commission, and Denise Harders, from the Central Plains Library System, will make recommendations concerning this use.

1. Strategic
Planning

2. • To ensure the library is addressing
community needs
• To help think through priorities
• To give the library direction
• To show the library is forward-thinking
• To use staff time efficiently
• To avoid wasting money
• To fulfill the requirement for Accreditation
Why make a plan?

3. Strategic Plan community
Ingredients:
1. Mission Statement
2. Community profile
3. Community needs assessment
4. Library assessment
5. Unique contributions
6. Goals
7. Evaluation plan

4. The mission of the Oakland Public
Library is to provide quality materials
and services which fulfill the
educational, informational, cultural and
recreational needs of the entire
community in an atmosphere that is
welcoming, respectful and professional.
http://oakland-library.blogspot.com/p/mission-statement.html
Mission

5. The mission of The New York Public
Library is to inspire lifelong learning,
advance knowledge, and strengthen our
communities.
http://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/mission
Mission

6. • Geography
• Population
• Economics
• Education
• Culture
Community Profile

7. 7
Community Needs Assessment
• Surveys
• Key Informant Interviews
• Focus groups
• Community Meetings
• Keeping your eyes open

8. • Collection size &
annual growth
• Services offered
• Current technology
• Use of the library
• Library history
• Physical description
• Staffing
• Budget
Library Description

9. Strength
Opportunity
Weakness
Threat
InternalExternal
HarmfulHelpful
Situation Analysis

10. What unique contribution
can the library make to help
fulfill community needs and
desires?
The Central Question

11. S M A R T
Goals should be

12. Evaluation
 Who will evaluate
 If and how goals were met
 Any unexpected outcomes
 Any new needs that emerged
 Any goals that are no longer relevant
How will progress toward the goals and
objectives be measured or monitored?

13. • Concise
• Specific
• Integrated
• Foreseeable
• Flexible
A good plan is

14. • Summary
• Community profile
• Needs assessment
• Library description & situation analysis
(SWOT)
• Unique contribution
• Goals
• Evaluation plan
The Strategic Plan

15. Our goals can only be reached
through a vehicle of a plan. . .
upon which we must
vigorously act. There is no
other route to success.
--Picasso