Library Governance – Strategic Planning

Planning Overview (State Library of Iowa) – This overview of the library planning process, particularly the “anatomy of a plan” section to the right, could be useful for any strategic planning participants that are new to the process.

Project Outcome (Public Library Association) – This free online toolkit provides outcome measurement tools and resources that could be a starting point for a strategic planning process.

Strategic Planning for Libraries: Getting Started (Massachusetts Library System) – This guide is full of resources to get the planning process started.

Library 101: Policies – A brief video overview from the North Dakota State Library

Community-Led Planning for Equitable, Responsive Services (WebJunction) – This webinar provides an overview of one approach to strategic planning that centers community voices. Create a free account on the WebJunction website to access the webinar.

Project Outcome 101 (Association of College and Research Libraries) – This YouTube video provides an overview of the Project Outcome toolkit.

12 Months to Better Library Data (Webinar Series) – This free webinar series features curriculum from the Research Institute for Public Libraries.

The Library Consultants Directory is a national directory of consultants with expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and more.

PLAN, formerly CTLS, provides in-depth consulting services for a fee, including strategic planning, conducting surveys and focus groups, and in-depth analysis of community demographics and library services.

Gleason Public Library (Carlisle, MA) Strategic Plan 2021-2025 (PDF, 44 p.) and FY 23 Action Plan (PDF, 9 p.) – This plan is quite detailed and includes a report of a community needs assessment. One feature of this plan is that some activities include a target fiscal year. The action plan is similar but highlights steps for the current fiscal year.

Ketchikan Public Library (AK) Strategic Plan 2018-2022 (PDF, 7 p.) – This plan includes clear goals and objectives and an action-oriented timeline for implementation.

Meridian Library District (ID) Strategic Plan 2021-2025 (PDF, 8 p.) – This plan is easy to follow, very clear about the library’s values and service philosophy, and included great pictures of their staff.