Week 10 - Mission, Vision, Values Statements and Task Force development

MISSION and VISION

This week the Strategic Planning Committee worked on combining the three mission statements shared with staff last week, the excellent discussion from last Wednesday’s meeting, and the comments that were subsequently turned in through the suggestion box, into a single concise Mission Statement for the library. Our aim was to make it specific, short, and memorable. We think we’ve succeeded. It’s still considered a work in progress however so continue to share your thoughts with the committee. We appreciate the input!

The Vision Statement shared with staff met with general approval. A few word changes were suggested so we are substituting some stronger verbs and rearranging a few bits.


VALUES STATEMENT

Another element of strategic planning is clarifying what we stand for and believe in – also called a Values Statement. While our library has never specifically written a values statement before, we do include in our policy manual the following documents that represent our values:
Ethics Statement for Library Trustees
Library Bill of Rights
Pledge of Service to Elmhurst Citizens
Freedom to Read Statement
Freedom to View Statement

These documents are all readily available for staff to read. You might want to take a look! The Committee is also working to develop a Values Statement specifically for our library.


TASK FORCES

Task forces are committees organized around a specific focus area. The purpose of a task force is to examine and analyze its particular focus area, keeping in mind the challenge to consider the future and draw up pertinent goals and objectives for a five-year plan.

We will be using task forces during phase two of the strategic planning process and are currently working to determine what focus areas are needed and defining the charge for each group. Watch for a call for volunteers in late April. This will be an excellent opportunity for more staff to get involved. The task forces will begin work on May 21st at a meeting with consultant Maureen Sullivan, and continue over the summer. We hope everyone will consider participating.