Value Statements

Progress continues on the LRP. We have reaffirmed the Value Statements created in the 2005 Strategic Plan, adding a fifth statement. They are as follows: We believe...

• knowledge and information are vital to the quality of life.
• reading gives people the power to improve their lives.
• public service is our first priority.
• public libraries are the foundation of a free society.
• in fiscal & environmental responsibility to our community.

SWOT update

The group really got the creative juices flowing Tuesday and we came up with MANY threats. That may not sound like a good thing, but it is when you turn it around and see what kinds of OPPORTUNITIES it can present! Also, we don't want to be blindsided by something we could have avoided.
You can see all the identified Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats on the H drive. I'm always on the lookout for additional ideas, so never hesitate to share them with me. Our next step, Tuesday at 2-4 in the meeting room, is to "clump" like things together into 'threads', which we'll use to weave our future together.
I'm nervous about all this, but only because I see how many of us are actively involved and want to have the best product. Consultant Tess Kirby will be coming in a few weeks to help us create our over-arching VISION statement. Then we'll use the identified threads to weave ladders of goals and objectives that will help us reach the library we envision being in 5 years.
What an objective - what an opportunity to develop as individuals and as a team, what a chance to be a force for good in the community (even more than we are now!).
-- Dave

Initial Post

Hello!

This forum is created to share ideas, concerns, comments and more about the Southfield Public Library's current Long Range Plan. Here I will share the progress of the process, ask you questions, answer questions, and give you my thoughts. In exchange I hope you'll give me honest feedback about the whole shebang.

Ground Rules:

1. Please, no name calling or disparaging of anyone (at the library or in the city).

2. This is fertile ground for brainstorming, so I even want to read about "Crazy" ideas. There may be reasons against putting some into action, but this is a good place to present them. They don't have to be completely thought out - that's what this forum is for, to explore pros & cons, so try not to make fun of another's ideas.

3. Comments should be made with the understanding that anyone else on staff can read them, and may comment back, so be gentle in pointing out flaws. BUT - we do need to know about flaws in ideas!

I'll soon be blogging about the newest steps we're taking, and will begin putting forth ideas for you to critique.

More to come soon, thanks for reading,
Dave