The Friday Follow-up: A Plan of Service to Thrive

Each year our libraries complete their Annual Report for Public and Association Libraries. It is the official title of the “annual report to the state.” It is also the long awaited “thing to do” for library directors (and some trustees).

This report is quite relevant although directors can be reluctant to complete it. I too have been filing it for 14 years now, so I sympathize with anyone who works on it. Quite honestly, it is not so bad, but it does pull you away from things you might rather be doing.

Member libraries were required to submit their 2016 report last March. STLS is responsible for reviewing it prior to providing to the State Library – Division of Library Development. We check it for completeness, accuracy and minimum standards.

Section 90.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education asks that library systems ensure member libraries are meeting all 11 New York State Minimum Standards for public and free association libraries. Standard 2 of 11 on this checklist asks that each chartered library “has a board-approved, written long-range plan of service.”

I have worked directly with our membership since 2013, so I understand long-range plans are open to interpretation. Each library is unique in how it approaches planning for the future. It can be a comprehensive process that allows for full community engagement, or it can be as simple as polling library patrons. There are many best practices that should be discussed here, but that is for another time.

Today, I am proud to announce that Southern Tier Library System has finalized its own strategic planning process. Similar to member libraries, library systems are asked to make available their own long-range plan. Unlike member libraries, our Plan of Service is a requirement of funding. No plan, no money.

Our Plan of Service 2017 – 2021 is the culmination of our cooperative library system. In 2016, STLS brought together more than 100 member librarians or trustees to discuss how we would strengthen library services for the betterment of Southern Tier residents.

This planning has been a highlight moment for me. I say this because it involved a broad and diverse member representation. We learned much through our engagement. We learned about the people we serve and the communities they live in. It painted a clear understanding of the actions we need to take and where we need to go.

I want to thank everyone who participated in our focus groups. 30% of 440 people directly connected to STLS participated (directors, trustees, staff & friends). 89% of all member libraries were represented. And, 100% of our stakeholders (directors, trustees, staff & friends) felt compelled to attend. These numbers mean something… The same cooperative spirit that created STLS in 1958 exists today.

However, I would like to take it a step further. These numbers do mean something, but this library system means so much more! Very few stakeholders (if any at all) question the existence of STLS. A quick history lesson would teach us this was not the case in 1958. The advent of library systems were certainly innovative, but not without question. 60 years of data and community impacts have proven library systems don’t just exist. Library systems thrive!

Now I know systems aren’t perfect institutions. We might be highly efficient, but we also require continual adjustments. Additionally, we need member participation. It is the essences of a cooperative.

STLS trustees aren’t just STLS trustees. They are individuals representing the interests of their member libraries. And Directors Advisory Council representatives aren’t just representatives. They are professionals voicing the thoughts of their member peers. The same can be said for every STLS-sponsored council, committee, sub-committee, group, workshop or event. The strength derives from the collective.

It is our hope member libraries use our Plan of Service to engage with the library system as often as possible. STLS’ sole purpose is to connect, empower and advocate for all Southern Tier public libraries. It is the relationship between our members and the system that makes STLS so special. It is what will empower us to thrive as a whole.

We invite you to join us on this journey!

Have a great weekend, STLS.