Better Strategic Planning Assessments - Webinar (06/27/19)

Did you arrive at the New Destination? Evaluating and Adjusting Your Library's Strategic Plan

The effective strategic plan has several functions. It’s a contract between the library and the community regarding how resources are allotted and spent. It focuses the attention of the staff members on shared goals and priorities. And it establishes a new destination for the library, sometimes making big changes in the library’s and principles.

But how will the stakeholders inside and outside the library decide that the plan is working? Does the plan have specific outcomes by the numbers, such as more books circulated, more library cards issued, and used, better attendance at events by target audiences? Or are the goals external? More positive publicity? More political support for a new building? More community members find jobs? Students and teachers report better test scores? Businesses prosper?

There isn’t one best way to evaluate any plan. However, success starts with how the plan is written and how goals and priorities are communicated from the beginning. And if there are problems, evaluations and adjustments need to be made while the plan is active, not while critiquing it after the final curtain.

Finally, how do we hold ourselves accountable, and what exactly does that mean?

Topics include basic strategic planning and project management principles, different ways to measure and describe success, better guessing, setting benchmarks and milestones, typical mistakes, using precise language, and what to do when the guesses were wrong.

Virtual Trainer: Pat Wagner

Pat Wagner has been a trainer and consultant for libraries and universities since 1978. She specializes in the topics that support productivity, workplace relationships, and career advancement, including personnel, management, and leadership issues. Pat was a facilitator for the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute for several years and has been a frequent visitor to Florida libraries. She is known for her good-humored and practical presentations.

This is an online class. Access information will be emailed one week ahead.

Cost: NEFLIN classes are free of charge for Florida library staff. Registration is required for all classes and NEFLIN members get priority.