Strategic Plan Building: We Want to Hear from You

Libraries grow and thrive when they reflect the needs, goals, and voices of the communities they serve. As our community continues to change, it is important that the library plans thoughtfully for the future. That is why we are beginning the process of building our next strategic plan—and why your input is essential.

A strategic plan is a roadmap that guides the library’s priorities over the next several years. It helps determine how we use our resources, what services we expand, what programs we introduce, and how we ensure the library remains welcoming, relevant, and responsive. Rather than guessing what our community wants or needs, a strong strategic plan is built on listening—listening to patrons, families, educators, students, and community partners.

Your feedback helps shape decisions that directly impact library services. From collections and programming to technology, spaces, and hours of operation, community input ensures the library evolves in ways that truly serve you. Whether you visit the library daily, stop by occasionally, or haven’t been in a while, your perspective matters. Sometimes, the most valuable insights come from those who see opportunities for improvement or have ideas we may not have considered.

As part of the strategic planning process, the library will be offering several ways for the public to share their thoughts. Community surveys, focus groups, and open conversations will allow you to tell us what the library is doing well and where we can grow. We want to know what services you value most, what challenges you face, and what you would like the library to offer in the future. This could include expanded programs, new technology, additional resources, or changes to how our spaces are used.

Strategic planning is also about imagining what the library can become. Libraries today are more than places to borrow books—they are centers for lifelong learning, creativity, connection, and access. Your ideas help us envision how the library can continue to support education, workforce development, early literacy, digital skills, and community engagement. By sharing your voice, you play a role in shaping a library that serves not only today’s needs but tomorrow’s possibilities as well.

We encourage you to participate when opportunities for feedback are announced. Take a few minutes to complete a survey, attend a community meeting, or speak with library staff. Even small comments can lead to meaningful improvements. Your input helps ensure the library remains a trusted, inclusive, and forward-thinking space for everyone.

This strategic plan will guide the library’s direction for years to come, and it should reflect the community it serves. We are excited about the future and deeply value your partnership in this process. Together, we can build a library that continues to inform, inspire, and connect our community. We want to hear from you—because the library’s future is shaped by the people who use it.