sample staff retreat

Library Planning to [Target Year]Staff Retreat

Meeting Date

PurposeThrough dialog and sharing of information• To envision the best future for community• To envision the best Library as a part of

that community• To learn and listen and share opinion,

facts, & knowledge to help library board and staff develop a strategic plan

LW

Ground rules• Everyone participates, no one dominates• Disagree with grace and tact• Think playfully, speak courageously• Listen as an ally• Share responsibility

Introductions• Name• Job here• How long?• What’s your favorite thing about your job?• Optional: something about yourself that

might surprise your colleagues

What’s important about libraries?

Healthy libraries indicate healthy communitieso Economic healtho Educational healtho Cultural healtho Community health

Planning Context• U.S. public libraries have strong planning

culture• Long history and experience• Vermont DOL encourages local library

planning through Standards program• Has the library built a plan before?

Library planninggrounded in community need• Community vision and need• Library as a part of that

o Addressing needso Serving the vision

Planning• Strategic Plan• Long Range Plan• Facilities Plan• Capital Plan• Service Plan• Development Plan• Technology Plan

Process this time• Community task force – conversation,

gather input and data. Two meetings.• Staff retreat – four hour meeting to review

community input, add library knowledge of program

• Meet with town board, town department heads, and focus groups

• Write plan, and use it!

Town Scan

Town demographic profile•  Population, 2008 est.-• Growth 1990 – 2000 % (VT 8.2%)• Growth 2000 – 2008 %• Ethnicity – % white, 2000 census• Median age - (VT, 37.7)• 65 and older – %• Under 18 - %

Town– demographic profile (2)

• Median household income – (1999)$51,000 (VT - $41,000)

• Education levelso Less than H.S. – 8%o Beyond High School – 64%o Bachelor’s or higher – 28%

Review the preliminary Library Service Responses selected by the Planning Committee

Compare to the full list of LS Responses Compare what the library does well to the

LS Responses chosen by the Planning Committee

Are there areas or audiences the Committee missed?

What did the Planning Committee discover?

The Library Landscape

Public libraries are changing 7/2010: Amazon sold more titles for the

Kindle than hardcover books in the previous 3 months

Delivery methods are changing rapidly (smartphones, Netflix, ListenUp VT for audiobooks and ebooks)

Libraries are busier than ever, especially as public computer centers

Other thoughts?

Public libraries are the sameAll public libraries Lend materials Provide ‘certified’ information Provide a “third place,” a community

anchor, a commons Are unique among public institutions in the

breadth of audience and of function

Spending on public library servicesPer capita, monthlyVermont average: $2.61Annual:• Vermont average, 2008 - $31.28• Town Library, 2008 - $• Vermont average, 2006 - $29.44• National average, 2006 - $33.24

Sources of support Planning Town: ? %local tax income, ? %

other Vermont average :72.9% local tax, 27.1%

other National averages: 84.1% local tax, 15.9%

other

2008-2009 VT Public Library Statistics

Library tourand break

Library walkabout• Pretend you’re visiting for the first time, or

showing your mother (lover, grandparent, child) the library for the first time

• What do you see? Neat? Clean? Clear signage? Inviting?

• Note things you like, delight you – note problem areas.

Library StaffCommentsGoals and activitiesBeginning to shift the library

Library goals and activities - start with a laundry list

Results – Library conversations