Library Governance – Strategic Planning

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.

Strategic Plan Workbook and Strategic Plan Template (New Mexico State Library) – Great guide to get started in developing a strategic plan.

Plans for Public Libraries (Indiana State Library) – Provides sample long range plans for public libraries.