Library Trustees Discuss Need For Updated Strategic Plan

New City Library Board Trustee Ed Kallen advised the board on Thursday that its last strategic plan was prepared in 2000.  It covered the time period from 2001 through 2006.  Kallen, who chairs the policy and planning committee, said the board has been certifying the same plan annually without revising it.  

“The question now is what to do,” he said. 

Kallen recommended the board certify the plan for 2012 and consider whether to update it for next year or hire a consultant to develop a completely new strategic plan.  The New York State Department of Education Library Development Division requires libraries to have a strategic plan.  The board voted in favor of extending the current plan through the end of the year.

It’s in our interest to have one,” Kallen said.  “It’s something we have to have. It’s not a choice.”

Board President Terri Thal said it is the board’s responsibility to implement strategic planning and to develop it in conjunction with the library administration, staff and community.  She said the planning should include immediate and long-term goals, who has responsibility for achieving the goals and what funds or sources of money are available.

Kallen recommended the board find out how much a consultant would cost and determine if the library has money in the budget to pay for a professionally prepared strategic plan. Trustee Tom Ninan said he would prefer to tap in-house expertise and instead of hiring an outside consultant.

Kallen said he felt it merited looking into the cost of a consultant and discussing with library administrators whether there was money available in the budget.