Introduction:
The Tuscarawas County Public Library System began its strategic planning process in 2022 with consultants from the State Library of Ohio (SLO). The library system had completed a successful 2015-2019 Strategic Plan, which included, among other goals, completion of a $5.3 million building project of its Main Library.
The Tuscarawas County Public Library System’s strategy between 2020 and 2022 was dictated by the COVID-19 global pandemic, with the overall goal to provide vital library services within health and safety guidelines. By the summer of 2022, the Tuscarawas County Public Library System’s Board of Trustees and administration found itself returning to more stable ground and in a place to again think strategically about the Library’s goals and objectives.
Process:
The Tuscarawas County Public Library System worked with SLO strategic planning consultant Erin Kelsey to develop the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. SLO uses a library-specific model of strategic planning called Planning For Results. Developed in 1998 by Sandra Nelson for the Public Library Association – and refined and updated by SLO – Planning for Results is a community-responsive planning model. The Planning for Results methodology is based on three assumptions:
- Excellence must be defined locally – it results when library services match community needs,
interests, and priorities. - Excellence is possible for both small and large libraries – it rests more on a commitment than on unlimited resources.
- Excellence is a moving target – even when achieved, excellence must be continually maintained.
The SLO consultant researched general library and community statistics and gathered input from the community, staff, and Board members. The community provided input through an online community survey, which was also available in an English and Spanish print version. In addition to the general community survey, community stakeholders participated in a Community Focus Group questionnaire, which provided more in-depth feedback. SLO conducted an appreciative inquiry workshop with library staff and an appreciative inquiry workshop with the library’s Board of Trustees. Based on the data collected, the SLO consultant presented a report with recommendations for the areas of focus for the Library’s next strategic plan.
The Library’s administration and Board reviewed the recommendations and selected six goal statements as the focus of the Library’s work. Staff and administration brainstormed together to determine the objectives for each of the goals.
Implementation:
The Tuscarawas County Public Library’s 2024-2026 Strategic Plan will serve as a framework for the activities related to the collections, programs, and services our leadership team and staff provide the community. The work of the administration and staff continues with the implementation of the plan. The leadership team will work annually with their staff to determine the activities and tasks to undertake in support of the strategic plan’s goals and objectives. The leadership team will regularly review progress and provide annual reporting related to strategic plan accomplishments.
Planning Team:
- Board of Trustees
Mary Burns, President
Kait Gallagher-Wilsterman
Vice President Nancy Wharmby, Secretary
Liz Miller
Richard Kaser
David Worth
Gerald Wortman
- Leadership Team
Michelle McMorrow Ramsell, Director
Brian Herzog, Assistant Director
Cara Randall, Support Services Manager
Robyn Guedel, Adult & Teen Services Manager
Mary Smrek, Children’s Services Manager
Larry Ritchie, Information Technology Manager
Nikki Stoldt, Fiscal Officer
Kathy Long, Deputy Fiscal Officer
Melissa Dean, Technical Services Supervisor
Lacy Bartley, Mobile Services Supervisor
Courtney Wallace, Bolivar Branch Supervisor
Christine Pierpoint, Sugarcreek Branch Supervisor
Emily Crilley, Strasburg Branch Supervisor
Tabitha Johnson, Tuscarawas Branch Supervisor
- Strategic Plan Facilitator
State Library of Ohio consultant Erin Kelsey
Our Mission:
The Tuscarawas County Public Library System provides all library users with access to resources to help them live, learn, and grow.
Our Vision:
The Tuscarawas County Public Library System strives to help Tuscarawas County residents thrive by providing quality resources, excellent customer service, and engaging programs in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Core Values:
- Community
We are an engaged community partner, committed to collaborating with others in an effort to enhance and strengthen the lives of all community members. - Customer Service
We are customer-focused and deliver positive experiences with kindness, respect, and integrity. - Freedom to Know
We provide free and equal access to library resources. We respect the freedom to read and support the open exchange of information and ideas that represent multiple points of view. - Good Stewardship
We respect the public trust through effective fiscal management, responsive leadership, and efficient operations. - Inclusion
We welcome and engage everyone. We believe a library is a place where all should feel they belong. - Innovation
We take risks, embrace change, and look for opportunities to say yes. We evaluate and continually improve. - Teamwork
We maintain open lines of communication and trust each other. We believe that through teamwork we each achieve more, our customers are better served, and our organization prospers.
Strategic Areas of Focus:
To meet the needs of the community, the Board and Administration have selected the following strategic goals and objectives.
Goal 1: Accessibility for All
Library customers will have access to all library resources and services regardless of ability, background, socioeconomic status, education level, or any other factor that may be a barrier to library users.
Objectives:- Ensure physical accessibility within our five physical buildings.
- Identify and develop solutions to break down barriers to library resources and programs.
- Explore mobile service opportunities to reach customers in our service district who may have a barrier to visiting a physical location.
- Grow and train staff to enhance a welcoming library environment for all.
Goal 2: Celebrate Diversity
The Library will provide and promote programs and services that foster appreciation and understanding of our individual heritage and that of our neighbors, as well as opportunities to celebrate diversity in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Objectives:- Build a collection that supports and celebrates both diversity and local heritage.
- Promote multicultural engagement within our community.
- Explore partnerships with community groups and organizations who share the goal of celebrating diversity.
- Explore partnerships with community groups and organizations that foster appreciation of local history and heritage.
Goal 3: Know Your Community
The Library will strengthen its community engagement by nurturing existing partnerships and welcoming new collaborative opportunities that will further enhance library programming and services that meet community needs.
Objectives:- Review our current partnerships and identify potential partnerships.
- Explore collaborative opportunities that will enhance library programming and/or library services.
- Increase awareness of library services and resources throughout the community.
Goal 4: Lifelong Learning
Library customers will have access to engaging collections, vibrant programming, innovative technologies, and vital services that they need to explore topics of personal interest and enrichment.
Objectives:- Build a robust collection for customer exploration.
- Explore new ways of offering lifelong learning opportunities for all ages.
- Explore opportunities to provide technology training and discovery.
- Provide training opportunities for staff related to reference services, readers' advisory, programming, and technology.
Goal 5: Optimizing Assets
Library staff and board will analyze and evaluate current policies, procedures, services, and programs in an effort to ensure they are both effective and supportive in meeting customer needs and cultivating a positive Library culture.
Objectives:- Ensure building policies and procedures meet changing needs.
- Develop a comprehensive framework for assessing collections, programming, and services.
- Nurture and enhance staff appreciation and communication.
- Goal 6: Social Services
The Library will develop partnerships with local social service agencies to provide resources and programming that will support Library customers facing life-changing obstacles such as addiction, mental illness, poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and unemployment.
Objectives:- Collaborate with local social service agencies to meet library customers' social service needs.
- Identify and seek to have a library presence at community task forces related to the library’s social services goal.
- Provide staff training opportunities related to supporting high-need library customers.
- Explore and investigate the feasibility of a social worker's presence at the TCPL.