The first three tasks looked at planning for the districting effort. This task looks at planning the services that the new library district will provide. In the assessment phase, the exploratory group creates a vision for the district library. In the planning phase, the working group turns this vision into a practical plan for providing specific library services.
The amount of work that will need to be done at this point will depend on the type of districting project that is envisioned. A different kind or level of planning may be needed for each type of project.
There are several planning models available for consideration. Some of these models have been developed principally for libraries; others are more general models. As often as not, good models for planning include the following elements:
- A community description, focusing particularly on community needs.
- A mission statement.
- Roles that the library district will play – and needs it will fulfill – in its community.
- Goals – The benefits your community will receive because the library provides specific services.
- Objectives – The means of measuring the library’s achievement of its stated goals.
- General approaches and methodologies that will be used to accomplish the objectives.
- Activities that will lead to accomplishing the objectives.
- An evaluation method for the plan.
- A plan for updating the plan at least annually.
Reality Check.
The library’s vision statement is a broad view of how it is going to leave an impact on customers and the greater community.
The library’s mission statement, on the other hand, tells a) what the library does, b) how this is done, c) for whom it is done, and d) what value the library brings to the community. Your library’s mission statement does not have to look like anyone else’s. The important thing is to figure out what is important to your community and start from there.
Methods for Planning
The methods that you use for planning will depend to a large extent on the level of planning that is required. If you are writing a totally new plan, or if you anticipate the implementation of major changes in library services due to the creation or expansion of a district, then you should plan to solicit extensive input from the public. There are several methods of gathering input. These can be used alone or in combination.
User Surveys
Current library users are asked how they use the library, what they most like about the library, and changes they would like to see at the library. This method has the advantage of reaching out to the most likely supporters of a new district while being very cost effective and relatively easy to implement. Because these surveys reach only current library users, they come with the disadvantage of not reaching those who might benefit most from a new or enlarged district.
Community Surveys
Community members are surveyed – by email, mail, or telephone – about current and potential library services. This method has the advantage of reaching out to the entire community, including those who might benefit most from a library district. Asking individuals what library services are important to them is a way of encouraging them to consider the possibilities that exist with a district library. The community survey method comes with the added benefit of improving public relations during the districting effort. The disadvantages to this method are the time and expense involved in collecting and collating the data.
Focus Groups
Small groups (eight to 10 people) are brought together to discuss library services – what they like about the library and what they would like to see added in a new or expanded district. The advantages to this method are that it is more personal, and participants can react in depth. A focus group can also be targeted to a group of people – for example parents, community leaders, or teens. It can also let people in the group know what other people in the community are thinking. One disadvantage of focus groups is the time commitment – at least an hour for each meeting and several hours for preparation and interpretation. Focus groups also reach relatively few people, and their results require a good deal of interpretation.
Facilitated Community Meetings
This method involves meetings open to all those who would like to discuss the library. These meetings are facilitated so that everyone in attendance has an opportunity to express an opinion. The advantage to this method is that participants get to hear what other people are thinking and they get to express their own opinions. Advertising the meeting also contributes to the public relations effort of the districting project, and the meeting itself may receive news coverage. The disadvantages are that turnout is often low and the information gathered does not necessarily represent a true cross-section of the community.
These methods can be used throughout the planning process. Earlier in the districting process, they can be used to gather information. Later, they can be an indicator of public opinion on the districting campaign. As indicated above, an intensive planning process will contribute to the public relations aspect of the districting effort, since it continually asks the public for input about library services, and thus offers the community ownership of those services.
The information-gathering methods mentioned above should not be entered into lightly. The value of the information depends on the quality of work that has gone into the creation of the questions asked and the method of delivery. It is best to seek professional help in designing surveys.