STRATEGIC PLAN 2016/2020

Hearing directly from users of our libraries and
the public was also important. Eight community
meetings were held throughout the County and
an online feedback form was provided. While
participation in the community meetings was light,
the quality of the contributions was extremely
high. Well over 100 people also participated in the
online process.
Extensive information-sharing. Various background
materials were available to participants
during each phase of the process. Through meetings,
at branches, and online, information was
provided on the new Strategic Plan’s purpose,
along with the context in which it was developed,
including an overview of the decision-making
approach. Key questions and participants’ advice
were also factors. Discussion Guides and presentation
slides were made available on the Strategic
Planning website:
www.stratplan.toledolibrary.org
Drawing on best practices and the work of
others. There are many organizations across the
country that are thinking hard about what it takes
to keep our libraries strong into the future. The
Aspen Institute’s 2014 report “Rising to the Challenge:
Re-envisioning Public Libraries” was an
important resource throughout development of
this Strategic Plan. The strategic plans of other
libraries were also extremely helpful to review,
including the Columbus Library, Carnegie Library