Citizen Input and Volunteers Needed for Strategic Planning Process
The Grafton Public Library’s Long Range Plan (LRP) expired in December 2020, and we have had an extension due to the pandemic, but it’s time to update, review priorities, and see where we are going, next! Strategic planning isn’t new for Grafton–it is a routine part of running a successful Library, and considered to be a standard of best practices in library management.
We are seeking a community of key stakeholders–Grafton residents, property owners, business owners, and community leaders–to volunteer to serve on a planning committee that will assist in setting Library service priorities for the next five years (2024-2028).
The time commitment is about six hours total; participants MUST attend two evening focus group meetings, one in July, one in August. Meeting attendance is MANDATORY for planning committee members. The successful candidate has a strong working knowledge of the Grafton community, and may or may not be a current Library user. The meetings will be facilitated by an outside library consultant.
Meetings will include: defining a vision for the community served by the Library; brainstorming; and conducting a strengths, weaknesses, growth opportunities and aspirations type analysis, first looking externally at the community, then internally at the Library. The feedback gathered will be used to develop LRP for 2024-2028. This written document provides goals, measurable objectives and specific activities for Library staff to execute.
An LRP spanning five years is required by the MBLC for any library that wishes to apply for—or keep—Library Services and Technology Act grant funding. The plan is due October 1, 2024.
The LRP is reviewed annually by the Grafton Public Library Board of Trustees, and the Library Director must submit an approved, updated a plan of action to the MBLC by December 1 annually. Anyone can review the current LRP and Action Plan online.
If you are interested in participating in the strategic planning process and joining the LRP committee, please contact Beth Schreiber, Library Director, at schreiberb@graftonlibrary.org or 508-839-4649.
Can’t commit? Bored by meetings? You can still provide valuable input! A Community Survey is available online.
Thanks in advance for your continued help and support!