I want to thank each and every person who contributed feedback to the draft of new strategic plan! It has made this process much more pleasurable for me and, I believe, the result is more meaningful. I took your feedback to the Ad Team and Manager of Library Operations meetings on April 18, 2012 where we had good discussions. Below is the final draft of our next plan, which will be presented for the Commission’s approval at the Long Range Planning Committee meeting on Monday, May 7, 2012.

SATISFY CURIOSITY AND ENCOURAGE LIFELONG LEARNING

The resources you need to explore topics of personal interest and continue to learn throughout your life are at your library.

Goal 1: Visitors explore their interests using the variety of information at the library.

Goal 2: Your libraries are centers that offer access to civic, cultural and community enrichment opportunities.

ENSURE A WELCOMING EXPERIENCE

Your library has safe and welcoming physical spaces to meet and interact with others or to sit quietly and read and has open and accessible virtual spaces that support social networking.

Goal 1: Visitors are welcomed into an atmosphere of hospitality, exemplary service, and friendly interaction.

Goal 2: Visitors easily navigate our inviting physical and virtual spaces.

KNOW HOW TO FIND, EVALUATE, AND USE INFORMATION

When you need information to resolve an issue or answer a question, you have the support and skills to search for, locate, evaluate and effectively use information to meet your needs.

Goal 1: Our community has access to expert library staff with up-to-date knowledge, skills and abilities to deliver library services.

Goal 2: Visitors are connected with library resources at every point of contact.

CONNECT TO THE ONLINE WORLD

Your library has access to the digital world with no unnecessary restrictions or fees to ensure that you can take advantage of the ever-growing resources and services available through the Internet.

Goal 1: Our community has access to current technology and digital resources as well as trained staff to help them use the resources effectively.

Goal 2: Our community has access to a continually growing digital collection and services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.