Week 13 - Community survey coming soon!

Vision Statement Responses

The good news is that the committee received 50 responses from staff. The bad news is that there was no consensus. The votes were evenly distributed across all three of the presented options. In addition, three people suggested alternate wordings. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. After much thought and discussion the committee has decided to go with option #2 for the time being. The current draft of the Vision statement has been posted in the staff lounge. This document will continue to be considered a draft until sometime in the fall.

Community Survey about to get underway

Professor Amy Clugg from Elmhurst College met with the Strategic Planning Committee this week. Her marketing class is conducting a survey on behalf of the library. This survey is an educational exercise for the students which they designed under the supervision of their professor. They will be providing valuable information to the Strategic Planning Committee as a community service. Amy reviewed with us how the survey was being put together, types of questions included (we provided some input), and how data would be collected and analyzed. There are 24 students in the class and each will be responsible for completing 30 surveys. Surveys will be conducted April 22-30 at locations throughout town. Some of the surveys will be conducted here in the library. The students will be clearly identified. If you see them in the library please be supportive. The students will make a formal class presentation on May 13th and we have been invited to attend.


TASK FORCES – CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS COMING NEXT WEEK! WATCH FOR DETAILS!

Week 12 - Input from the staff and community

Vision Statement input sought

The Strategic Planning Committee is debating some word changes in the Vision Statement and would like additional staff input. Rather than call another meeting we are distributing forms containing a draft version of the Vision to all the departments and asking staff to respond to the highlighted areas. Please take a moment and give us your opinion. Responses should be turned in by April 16th.


Task Force development

In the very near future Staff can expect to see a call for volunteers to serve on Task Forces. The Committee has identified six focus areas and is busy defining the work we hope each task force will undertake. Staff will have the opportunity to select the area that interests them the most.


Community Input

The Community Voice meeting was held Wednesday afternoon, April 9th, facilitated by Maureen Sullivan. Maureen asked the group to respond to three questions:

Where do they think Elmhurst should be in five years?
How do we get there?
What do they see as the library’s role?

Twenty-seven community leaders attended and by all accounts there was a lively discussion. To ensure that participants could speak freely no library staff were present. Discussion points were recorded on flip charts that will be reviewed by the committee at our next meeting. We greatly appreciate everyone’s participation.

Week 11 - Vision Statement, Community Input Meeting, and Task Force development

VISION STATEMENT – STAFF INPUT SOUGHT

The Strategic Planning Committee has been working to incorporate staff input into our draft version of the Library Vision Statement. A revised Vision Statement has been drafted and the Committee would like input from staff to some of the word changes we have made. Rather than call another meeting, we plan to distribute a Response Form to staff sometime next week. We hope everyone will take the time to read the new draft and respond to the highlighted areas. Your input is important to us!


COMMUNITY VOICE MEETING

A Community Voice meeting will be held on April 9th to gather input from community leaders about the future of Elmhurst and the library’s role in it. Invitations were mailed to leaders representing government, schools, business, seniors, youth, social services, service clubs, cultural institutions, and other community groups. Our consultant, Maureen Sullivan will facilitate the discussion. To ensure that participants may speak freely, no library staff will be present.


PHASE TWO – GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Committee has begun laying plans for Phase Two of the strategic planning process – developing goals and objectives. To facilitate this process we will be establishing a number of Task Forces to study various aspects of library service. A Task force is simply a committee organized around a specific focus area. The Strategic Planning Committee is working now to identify what those focus areas will be and defining the purpose of each one. Once this work is completed there will be a call for volunteers. Serving on a Task Force will be an excellent opportunity for all staff to get involved. The kick-off meeting for all the task forces is scheduled for May 21st. Save the date!