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Larry Neal

In this course, part of the Public Library Management Professional Certificate program, we’ll explore the nuts and bolts of creating a strategic plan by reviewing and reflecting on the strategic plans of a variety of library types.

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In this course, part of the Public Library Management Professional Certificate program, we’ll explore the nuts and bolts of creating a strategic plan by reviewing and reflecting on the strategic plans of a variety of library types.

Strategic planning is a strategy for setting an organization’s goals, vision, and desired future. You’ll learn how library leaders, in partnership with trustees, library boards, and/or municipal leadership, use strategic planning to set long-term goals as well as identify the necessary funding priorities, staffing needs, and other elements needed for success.

You’ll also learn how an effective strategic plan is more than mere paperwork: it is an ongoing planning, action, and reflection process that can engage all stakeholders in a common set of expectations and action steps for the future.

What you'll learn

  • The value of and guiding framework for strategic planning
  • How to identify funding priorities, staff needs, and infrastructure needed to reach a strategic planning goal
  • How to establish effective communication with and input from stakeholders, including board members, municipal officials, staff, and the public
  • How to craft a strategic plan and integrate it into your management workflow to ensure success
  • How to adapt your plan when changes arise in your organization

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The value of and guiding framework for strategic planning
  • How to identify funding priorities, staff needs, and infrastructure needed to reach a strategic planning goal
  • How to establish effective communication with and input from stakeholders, including board members, municipal officials, staff, and the public
  • How to craft a strategic plan and integrate it into your management workflow to ensure success
  • How to adapt your plan when changes arise in your organization

Syllabus

None

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Intended to help library leaders create a strategic plan for their organization
Provides a guiding framework for strategic planning, including how to identify funding priorities and staff needs

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Strategic Planning for Public Libraries with these activities:
Review Writing Fundamentals
Prepare for success in this course by refreshing your foundational writing skills, including grammar, punctuation, and structure.
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Show steps
  • Review the parts of speech and their usage.
  • Practice writing short sentences and paragraphs.
Review library management fundamentals
Refresh your understanding of core library management concepts to build a strong foundation for the course.
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Show steps
  • Read textbooks and articles on library management
  • Review notes from previous library science coursework
  • Attend a workshop or webinar on library management
Volunteer at a Library
Provide you with practical experience in library operations and help you gain insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by libraries.
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Show steps
  • Contact your local library and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Participate in volunteer activities.
17 other activities
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Review Strategic Planning Frameworks
Ensures students have a common understanding of the value of strategic planning
Browse courses on Strategic Planning
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  • Review frameworks using provided materials
The Strategic Librarian: Planning for Success
Provide insights into the key principles and practices of strategic planning in library settings.
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes and highlight key concepts.
Follow online tutorials on strategic planning software
Enhance your proficiency in using software tools to support strategic planning.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant software tools
  • Find online tutorials or training videos
  • Complete the tutorials and practice using the software
Strategic Planning Resources Compilation
Introduce you to additional resources on strategic planning, such as articles, books, websites, and templates.
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Show steps
  • Search for and gather resources on strategic planning.
  • Organize and categorize the resources.
Online Tutorials on Strategic Planning
Supplement your course materials with online tutorials to reinforce your understanding of strategic planning principles and techniques.
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Show steps
  • Identify online tutorials from reputable sources that provide clear and concise explanations.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step and take notes on key concepts.
  • Complete any practice exercises or quizzes provided in the tutorials.
Read Strategic Planning for Public Libraries: A Guide for Managers
Gain insights into the strategic planning process specifically tailored to public libraries.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly
  • Take notes and highlight key concepts
  • Summarize the main points of each chapter
Strategic Plan Audit
Help you assess the current state of your library's strategic plan by reviewing its components, identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and recommending ways to improve it.
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Show steps
  • Identify key stakeholders and conduct interviews.
  • Review and analyze existing strategic plan documents.
  • Identify areas for improvement and develop recommendations.
SWOT Analysis Practice
Strengthen your understanding of SWOT analysis by completing exercises that involve identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for different library scenarios.
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Show steps
  • Review the concept of SWOT analysis.
  • Complete practice exercises on SWOT analysis.
Strategic Planning Case Studies
Deepen your understanding of strategic planning by analyzing real-world case studies and identifying key concepts and best practices.
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Show steps
  • Select a case study that aligns with your interests or career goals.
  • Read the case study thoroughly and identify the key issues and challenges.
  • Develop a strategic plan that addresses the issues identified in the case study.
Complete exercises on strategic planning frameworks and techniques
Strengthen your understanding of strategic planning tools and frameworks through practice exercises.
Show steps
  • Find online exercises or purchase a workbook
  • Complete the exercises independently
  • Review your answers and identify areas for improvement
Develop and Practice Communication Strategies
Helps students develop their communication skills, which are essential for effective strategic planning.
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Show steps
  • Identify key stakeholders
  • Develop communication plan and messages
  • Practice communication through mock meetings or presentations
Library Strategic Plan Outline
Give you hands-on experience in creating a strategic plan outline, which will form the foundation of your library's strategic plan.
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Show steps
  • Identify the key components of a strategic plan.
  • Develop an outline for your library's strategic plan.
Strategic Planning Discussion Group
Engage in discussions with peers to exchange ideas, share best practices, and gain diverse perspectives on strategic planning.
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Show steps
  • Join or form a discussion group with other students in the course.
  • Discuss specific strategic planning topics, such as stakeholder engagement or performance measurement.
  • Collaborate on developing innovative approaches to strategic planning challenges.
Library Strategic Plan Communication Plan
Develop your skills in creating a communication plan to effectively communicate your library's strategic plan to stakeholders.
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Show steps
  • Identify key stakeholders and their communication needs.
  • Develop a communication strategy and plan.
Develop a mock strategic plan for your library
Apply the concepts of strategic planning by creating a plan for your own library.
Show steps
  • Define the library's mission, vision, and goals
  • Identify stakeholders and gather their input
  • Conduct an environmental scan
  • Develop strategies and action plans
  • Create a written plan document
Strategic Plan Outline
Develop a comprehensive outline for a strategic plan that you could implement in your own library setting.
Browse courses on Strategic Planning
Show steps
  • Identify the key components of a strategic plan, such as mission, vision, goals, and objectives.
  • Draft an outline that includes these components and aligns with the specific needs of your library.
  • Seek feedback on your outline from colleagues, mentors, or other stakeholders.
Attend industry conferences and workshops on strategic planning
Network with professionals and learn about best practices in strategic planning.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant conferences and workshops
  • Register and attend the events
  • Engage with speakers and attendees

Career center

Learners who complete Strategic Planning for Public Libraries will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Chief Executive Officer
Strategic planning is a key responsibility of CEOs. This course would provide foundational knowledge of strategic planning, and can contribute to the success of a CEO in advancing their career.
Consultant
Consultants often provide guidance and support in the development and implementation of strategic plans. This course would provide training in the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a Consultant in the field of strategic planning or related fields.
Senior Executive
Senior Executives are often responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans. This course provides foundational knowledge and skills in strategic planning, which can contribute to the success of Senior Executives in their careers.
Vice President
Vice Presidents often have a significant role in strategic planning, helping to develop and implement the organization's strategic vision. This course would provide valuable knowledge and skills for Vice Presidents to contribute to strategic planning and advance their careers.
Director
Directors often play a key role in strategic planning, helping to shape the organization's long-term vision and goals. This course would provide valuable knowledge and skills for Directors to contribute effectively to strategic planning and lead their organizations.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofits often rely on strategic planning to achieve their missions. By taking this course, Nonprofit Managers can gain a deeper understanding of how to develop and implement strategic plans that can contribute to the success of their organizations.
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officers (COOs) are often involved in developing and implementing strategic plans. This course can provide valuable insights and skills for COOs to contribute to strategic planning and drive organizational success.
Department Head
Department Heads often participate in strategic planning to ensure their department is aligned with the organization's strategic goals. This course would provide valuable knowledge and skills for Department Heads to contribute to strategic planning and lead their department effectively.
Manager
Managers often participate in strategic planning to align their team's activities with the organization's overall goals. This course provides a solid foundation in strategic planning, helping Managers to contribute to strategic planning and lead their teams more effectively.
Executive
Executives often play a central role in strategic planning by setting the organization's strategic direction. This course may be helpful in building a foundation for strategic planning, which can contribute to the career success of Executives.
Project Manager
Project Managers may participate in strategic planning to define and scope projects. The course may be helpful in building a foundation for understanding strategic planning and how to apply it to project management, which can contribute to the success of a Project Manager's career.
Program Manager
Strategic planning is often used to guide program development and implementation. By taking this course, Program Managers can gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively participate in strategic planning and contribute to the success of their programs.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers may engage in strategic planning to further marketing goals. This course may help build a foundation for strategic planning in the domain of marketing, which can contribute to a Marketing Manager's career success.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers may participate in strategic planning to help align operations with the organization's strategic goals. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for Operations Managers in developing and implementing strategic plans in the context of operations.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts often participate in strategic planning initiatives, helping to analyze data and develop recommendations. This course would provide valuable knowledge and skills for Business Analysts to contribute to strategic planning projects and advance their careers.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Strategic Planning for Public Libraries.
Is the course textbook and will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the strategic planning process for public libraries. It covers all the essential steps, from developing a vision and mission statement to setting goals and objectives, to implementing and evaluating your plan.
Comprehensive guide to the library planning process for small and medium-sized public libraries. It covers all aspects of planning, from needs assessment to implementation and evaluation.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic planning process for information professionals. It covers all the essential steps, from developing a vision and mission statement to setting goals and objectives, to implementing and evaluating your plan.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the role of the strategic leader in public libraries. It covers all the essential aspects of leadership, from developing a vision and mission statement to setting goals and objectives, to implementing and evaluating your plan.
Provides a comprehensive overview of public library management in the 21st century. It covers all the essential aspects of management, from planning and budgeting to marketing and public relations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the current issues and future prospects for public libraries. It covers all the essential aspects of public library service, from funding and technology to staffing and marketing.
Classic work on the role of the public library in society. Carnegie argues that public libraries are essential for providing access to education and information to all citizens.
Passionate defense of the public library. Gorman argues that public libraries are essential for democracy and that they should be supported by all.
Manifesto for the public library. It argues that public libraries are essential for providing access to information, education, and culture to all.
Report that highlights the role of public libraries in promoting social and economic development. It provides case studies from around the world that demonstrate how public libraries are making a difference in people's lives.

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