Northland Public Library Strategic Plan: CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2016-2020 FINAL

2016-2020 Strategic Priorities
In order to truly function as “The Primary Community Connection,” Northland needs to focus on:
Library Funding;
Library Programs, Collection and Services;
Library Space;
Library Promotion;
Library and Community Partnerships;
Library Technology.
Strategic priorities will support our residents’ desire for lifelong learning through both group and individual
experiences; desire to live in and contribute to a stable and sustaining community; desire to understand the
wider world; and desire to understand the past and look to the future.
The activities outlined in the Strategic Priorities will be reviewed on a regular basis and used as a guide for
evaluating new and existing services, activities, policies and procedures. In some areas of focus, such as
technology, it is difficult to make exact forecasts of organizational and community needs beyond a 3 to 4 year
time period.
Priority 1 – Library Funding
Northland will secure appropriate public and private funding required to enable, empower and encourage
lifelong learning and discovery for the residents of its supporting municipalities. Northland will seek excellence
in the stewardship of both public and private funding.
Municipal and Self-generated
Current
Northland receives approximately 58% of its annual income from the 5 municipalities who are members of the
Northland Public Library Authority; 19% from the Allegheny Regional Asset District as a member of the
Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA); 11% from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 5% from the
Northland Public Library Foundation and 7% from income generated through fines and fees (including meeting
room rental), sales, and interest from investments.
Future
All parts of the funding that supports Northland are critical to its success. Stable appropriations from the 5
member municipalities help leverage additional funding such as RAD funds and other sources of funding such
as grant funding and local businesses.
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