Draft of the Stragetic Plan Goals
Over the past month we have discussed on the MyMetrolibrary forums the four responses and eight goals we are considering for our next Strategic Plan. I find it extremely beneficial and exciting to be able to hear from others on the forums and thank each person who has contributed. Based on my understanding of those discussions, the following is a draft of the responses and goals. Do you have any suggestions as we work to finalize this draft? I need to get it finalized by next week (April 16-20). Here are a few questions to consider:
- Is the language consistent among the goals? If not, what do you suggest?
- Is the grammar accurate and appropriate? If not, please offer corrections.
- Does the language provide the flexibility to measure meaningful actions, stories, usage, etc? If not, what suggestions do you have?
- Do you understand the responses and goals, as currently written, well enough to know the direction to work over the next few years? If not, which one(s) are unclear to you?
- Any other thoughts about these goals or this process?
Draft 4/12/12
Provide Opportunities for continual learning
Goal 1: People at every age explore their interests using the variety of information at the library.
Goal 2: Libraries are centers in which users can experience civic, cultural, and community opportunities.
Ensure a Welcoming Experience
Goal 1: Atmosphere of Hospitality: Library customers are welcomed by exemplary service and friendly interaction.
Goal 2: Inviting Spaces: Library customers easily navigate physical and virtual spaces that are inviting, clean and safe, inside and out.
Know How to Find, Evaluate, and Use Information
Goal 1: The library offers expert, knowledgeable staff who receive continuous, up-to-date education and technology training
Goal 2: Staff connect all customers with library resources at every point of contact.
Connect to the Online World
Goal 1: Customers have access to current technology and digital resources as well as trained and knowledgeable staff to help them use it effectively.
Goal 2: Customers have access to a continually growing digital collection and services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Thank you in advance for your input, it will be great to hear from you!
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Comments
I like these goals and I think they reflect a natural progression from the goals in our last Strategic Plan. I do have a couple of suggestions as noted below:
Provide Opportunities for continual learning
Goal 1: People at every age explore their interests using the variety of information at the library.
For this goal, I would like to suggest changing "people at every age" to “All ages” as that was the phrasing in the last Strategic Plan or to Customers or Library customers, whatever would be consistent with the other goals. I noticed that some of the goals refer to “Customers”, some to “Library customers” and this one to “People at every age.” I think one format should be used throughout.
Also, I think it sounds like the responsibility is being given to the customer to complete this goal. I'd like to suggest the addition of the phrase "are able to" as written below because it puts the responsibility on us to make it possible for them to do this.
Goal 1: All ages are able to explore their interests using the variety of information at the library.
I agree with Kim that the format of the goals under “Ensure a Welcoming Experience” isn’t consistent with the other goals and with her suggestion of removing the qualifying phrasing. But I'd still like to see the word "hospitality" in there. So, I'd like to suggest:
Ensure a Welcoming Experience
Goal 1: Library customers are welcomed in an atmosphere of hospitality with exemplary service and friendly interaction.
And, finally,
Goal 2: Library customers easily navigate physical and virtual spaces that are inviting, clean and safe, inside and out.
Again, this sounds as if the responsibility for action is with the customer. So, I suggest:
Goal 2: Library customers are able to easily navigate physical and virtual spaces that are inviting, clean and safe, inside and out.
Sounds good but I had a few questions about the grammar in the following sections:
Know How to Find, Evaluate, and Use Information
Goal 1: The library offers expert, knowledgeable staff who receive continuous, up-to-date education and technology training (What about using... "educational and technological training...)
Goal 2: Staff connect all customers with library resources at every point of contact.
(What about...Staff members connect all customers.... or Staff members able to connect all customers with library resources.... )
Connect to the Online World
Goal 1: Customers have access to current technology and digital resources as well as trained and knowledgeable staff to help them use it effectively.
(What about ...knowledgeable staff to help them use "those resources" effectively.)
These are good at expressing the goals and the language is easy to understand. Julie has a great point with language consistency. I like the idea of using "library users" throughout.
I also have a couple of suggestions:
Original wording:
Provide opportunities for continual learning.
Goal 1: People at every age explore their interests using the variety of information at the library.
Goal 2: Libraries are centers in which users can experience civic, cultural, and community opportunities.
I think we should highlight that one of the most important things we offer is access. The other important detail is that we offer information in many forms. So here is my proposed wording of the first goal statement:
Provide access to knowledge, enrichment, and continual learning.
Goal 1: Library users of all ages gain access to information in a wide variety of formats.
Goal 2: Libraries offer access to civic, cultural and community enrichment opportunities.
Orignial wording of this can be made a little smoother. I like Sharon's suggestions.
Know how to find, evaluate and use information
Goal 1: The library offers expert, knowledgeable staff who receive continuous, up-to-date education and technology training
Goal 2: Staff connect all customers with library resources at every point of contact.
Here is another way to state that:
Goal 1: Library customers have access to trained experts in information and technology.
Goal 2: Library staff connect users to information and resources in every forum.
Based on the conversation thus far, I would propose the following:
Provide opportunities to knowledge, enrichment and continual learning
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Goal 1: Library users explore their interests through access to a variety of information provided by the library.
Goal 2: Library users discover their community through access to a variety of civic and cultural opportunities provided by the library.
Ensure a welcoming experience
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Goal 1: Library users experience an atmosphere of hospitality, exemplary service and friendly interaction.
Goal 2: Library users navigate physical and virtual spaces that are inviting, clean and safe, inside and out.
Know how to find, evaluate, and use information
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Goal 1: Library users encounter expert, knowledgeable staff, who receive continuous, up-to-date educational and technological training.
Goal 2: Library users are engaged, at every opportunity, with the variety of resources provided by the library.
Connect to the online world
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Goal 1: Library users explore their interests through access to current technologies, digital resources, and well-trained, knowledgeable staff, to assist in their effective use.
Goal 2: Library users encounter a continually growing digital collection and services, availible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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