Just wanted to thank those of you who came to the workshop on Sunday morning at the ARSL Conference. There were some great insights and discussions on planning and several of you had good comments and questions after the workshop. I always learn something new each time I have this workshop and appreciate your contributions to the topic.
Please feel free to share, question and comment here or on the ARSL member listserv.
It was good to see you!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering
A brief post to remember those who we lost 10 years ago on 9/11. To those who were innocent victims, in rememberance of those who fought back and in tribute to those who gave their lives so that justice would be served in the days, weeks and months after 9/11 - a moment of silence . . . . . .
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Journey of a Thousand Miles. . . begins with one step.
I am in Frisco, Texas this week, at the Association for Small and Rural Libraries Conference. Why is this important? Well, perhaps it is not. But if you are someone who is considering whether or you should listen to my advice and invest some time and grey matter into a plan for your library, it may weight in your decision if you know that what I write here and what I present when I talk about planning is all geared for the small, rural, sometimes isolated libraries that populate our country. Did you know there are more public libraries than McD's in the US?
Trivia aside, this practical, close to the vest type of planning resonates with folks. It simply makes sense to think about where you want to go, consider how you are going to get there, and plan what you need to make the trip happen. It works for taking a vacation, or building a house, figuring out what you need to do to retire. Why would you not plan the future of an institution that provides vital services to many of the residents of your community?
I encourage you, no, I challenge you, in fact I double dog dare you to spend time over the next few days thinking about where your library should be in 3 years. Don't allow the current economic depression to limit you. Go beyond the physical, think in global terms (at least the globe that is your community). what vital role does your future library play? What services or resources does the community count on that you can provide? Mull it over, dream about it, let it simmer on the back burner for a day or two. Then do me a favor - and write it down. Once you do - you have taken your first step toward a strategic plan for your library. Congratulations.
Trivia aside, this practical, close to the vest type of planning resonates with folks. It simply makes sense to think about where you want to go, consider how you are going to get there, and plan what you need to make the trip happen. It works for taking a vacation, or building a house, figuring out what you need to do to retire. Why would you not plan the future of an institution that provides vital services to many of the residents of your community?
I encourage you, no, I challenge you, in fact I double dog dare you to spend time over the next few days thinking about where your library should be in 3 years. Don't allow the current economic depression to limit you. Go beyond the physical, think in global terms (at least the globe that is your community). what vital role does your future library play? What services or resources does the community count on that you can provide? Mull it over, dream about it, let it simmer on the back burner for a day or two. Then do me a favor - and write it down. Once you do - you have taken your first step toward a strategic plan for your library. Congratulations.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Bigger they are . . .
My great apologies for the large gap in my writing. I could offer many excuses, but instead, please accept this new post, which is the basis for much of my philosophy for championing the need for every library to have their own strategic plan.
Strategic plans are often thought of as belonging to the large, urban, departmentalized libraries of the city. You may be saying "My library is me, my one part time assistant and 5 volunteers. I have 4 board members, one of whom is my father-in-law. My customers pay their fines in fresh eggs and loaves of bread. Why would my library need a strategic plan? " I say, you need one the most.
A strategic plan allows you to put down on paper what you and your board may feel you know in your hearts - the answer to this question - "What does this community need its library to be, to do and to have?"
And if you think if a strategic plan as something big, and overwhelming and needing a committee of 273 to write and inact, think again. The basics of a plan are a list of the priorities of that library, and the steps for how you are going to serve your community through those priorities.
But here is the kicker for small libraries - a plan will allow you to make those hard choices when money is tight (like now) and when you have to consolidate services, and choose what you will and will not do. It will also keep you focused on the Best Ideas for your library, when all around us are really good ideas.
No library, large or small, can do everything. The smaller your library budget, the more difficult your choices, the more necessary your plan. Being small does not excuse you from having a plan; conversly, it requires you to plan even more throughly than your larger library counterparts.
Strategic plans are often thought of as belonging to the large, urban, departmentalized libraries of the city. You may be saying "My library is me, my one part time assistant and 5 volunteers. I have 4 board members, one of whom is my father-in-law. My customers pay their fines in fresh eggs and loaves of bread. Why would my library need a strategic plan? " I say, you need one the most.
A strategic plan allows you to put down on paper what you and your board may feel you know in your hearts - the answer to this question - "What does this community need its library to be, to do and to have?"
And if you think if a strategic plan as something big, and overwhelming and needing a committee of 273 to write and inact, think again. The basics of a plan are a list of the priorities of that library, and the steps for how you are going to serve your community through those priorities.
But here is the kicker for small libraries - a plan will allow you to make those hard choices when money is tight (like now) and when you have to consolidate services, and choose what you will and will not do. It will also keep you focused on the Best Ideas for your library, when all around us are really good ideas.
No library, large or small, can do everything. The smaller your library budget, the more difficult your choices, the more necessary your plan. Being small does not excuse you from having a plan; conversly, it requires you to plan even more throughly than your larger library counterparts.
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