River Forest Public Library Strategic Plan 2010-2013 Version 3.0 Gretel Stock-Kupperman Library Consultant Vision Statement The River Forest Public Library will enhance the quality of life in River Forest by maintaining a welcoming environment where all patrons will experience a high level of service and satisfaction from a responsive and knowledgeable staff who helps them find the information they need and the services they want. Mission Statement Develop, publicize, and deliver a wide range of high-quality library services to the community with an emphasis on providing: * A warm and welcoming environment, * Facilitation of lifelong learning and cultural enrichment, * Access to evolving information technology and traditional resources to meet personal, professional, and community needs. Strategic Values Through this plan, the River Forest Public Library Board of Trustees and Library Staff affirm their commitment to: * The library’s relevance to, connection to, and understanding of the community of River Forest, * Providing excellent and responsive services focused on the needs of the patron, * Wise fiscal management, * Connecting citizens to premium resources to meet their information needs, * Support and care of library staff, * The library’s use of, dedication to, and re-imagining of its building, * Excellence in all areas of service and management, * Outreach to other entities in the community, * Exploration of new programs, resources, and services, * Seeking of new resources to supplement tax income, * Embracing innovation and change. Strategic Initiatives Care For and Improve the Library Building The library is a steward to a rich historic building that requires maintenance and improvement. The library will meet the changing needs of patrons and staff while maintaining the warmth and feel of the space. Goals: * Continue to make progress on deferred maintenance. * Develop and implement a plan for improvements of public spaces. * Develop and implement a plan for improvements of staff space. Maintain an Effective and Efficient Organization The library will seek to improve and enhance its operation through efficient and wise management of its staff, board, and fiscal resources. Goals: * Evaluate staff roles and responsibilities, and make organization changes to improve operations and support strategic initiatives. * Implement a Board committee structure to increase the efficiency of board meetings and operations. * Seek tools and resources that allow staff to do their jobs more effectively, including technology enhancements, space redesign, and service partnerships. Market the Library The library possesses a unique brand that embodies the values of the library and the community of River Forest. The library will communicate that brand broadly and seek to inform patrons of the rich array of services that the library provides. Goals: * Create a formal marketing plan to enable staff and board action. * Formalize the library’s marketing materials to create a consistent message. * Provide tools and resources to staff to communicate the library brand and execute the marketing plan. Pursue Creative Funding for a Sustainable Organization In order to serve its community and remain a valued resource for the long term, the library must expand its base of financial support. Goals: * Engage the community of River Forest in seeking funding for strategic initiatives. * Enhance the library endowment through fundraising efforts. * Seek partnerships that maximize the strengths of the library and extend existing funding resources. Systematic Outreach to the Community The library must enhance its presence outside of the physical library facility. The outreach efforts resident in individual areas of the library will be expanded to a library-wide focus. Goals: * Create a plan for a scaled outreach effort to target areas. * Identify key areas for outreach, including, but not limited to, seniors, reading groups, commuters, schools, village government, and civic organizations. * Provide tools and resources to staff to enable outreach efforts. ?? ?? ?? ?? 4 | Page