Mission Statement

"Enable lifelong learning, enrich lives and build a stronger community."

Vision Statement

"A thriving Library that is an integral part of the lives of the community"

Values

• Collaboration: Work in partnership to strengthen our community.

• Credibility: Be a source of trustworthy and dependable information.

• Empowerment: Provide the means or ability to accomplish objectives.

• Excellence: Be the best in everything we do.

• Inclusion: Invite and welcome.

• Innovation: Foster new possibilities.

• Respect: Treat all people with dignity.

(updated June 2025)

Strategic Plan 2026-2030

Goal 1: Providing aesthetically pleasing, functional spaces.

Develop a forward-thinking facilities master plan.

1. Identify potential library facilities and service locations based on population density, population growth, facility utilization and case studies.

2. Identify, prioritize and reduce deferred maintenance and upgrades for library facilities.

3. Identify and remove accessibility barriers.

4. Evaluate library branch spaces to match patron usage with special attention to meeting rooms and children’s spaces.

5. Evaluate sorting and storage space needs for the Friends of the Library.

   
   

Ensure library facilities are safe, well-maintained, accessible and up-to-date.

1. Reevaluate branch hours to match patron usage.

2. Renovate one library facility.

3. Replace the bookmobile to meet community needs.

4. Build a new library in Fair Grove.

5. Evaluate feasibility of additional community pick-up and return locations.

6. Create outdoor play spaces and trails at appropriate locations.

7. Update branch security personnel, cameras and technology.

8. Create a welcoming and safe exterior environment.

9. Streamline distribution of donated materials for the Friends of the Library.

Goal 2: Developing innovative, relevant and inspiring programs and services.

Develop program and service objectives, outcomes and evaluation criteria.

1. Create an associate director of public services position to oversee and manage district-wide programs.

2. Develop an annual assessment program to measure effectiveness and patron satisfaction.

3. Provide appropriate staffing to support program initiatives and services.

Develop marketing plans targeting advocacy, community awareness and branding.

1. Create a marketing strategy targeting both current patrons and non-users.

2. Invest in additional advertising methods and content creation.

3. Leverage community partnerships and engagement to reach a broader audience.

Provide technology-rich environments that support growth, access and learning.

1. Modernize technology platforms such as self-checkout systems and hybrid programming options.

2. Update technology in meeting rooms.

3. Develop a memory lab to support patron efforts to preserve family stories and convert media to digital formats.

4. Strengthen the Library District’s makerspaces by investing in dedicated, trained staff and new, well-maintained equipment.

Connect new users and underserved communities with library programs and services.

1. Identify service gaps and prioritize robust outreach to target underserved, nonusers and those unable to access branch locations.

2. Dedicate branch staff time and hire additional outreach staff for community outreach and engagement.

3. Create opportunities for social interaction and engagement for older adults.

4. Expand the community fridge initiative to multiple branches.

5. Investigate ways to overcome language barriers for patrons to access library resources.

Goal 3: Maintaining and growing a robust, representative digital and physical materials collection.

Ensure a well-rounded collection that reflects demand.

1. Decrease wait time for physical and digital materials.

2. Develop an evaluation process for adding and removing material types.

3. Create an acquisition process for local author materials.

4. Enhance and grow Local History & Genealogy and other special library collections.

   
   

Champion intellectual freedom.

1. Provide access to ideas, information and perspectives.

2. Advocate for intellectual freedom at the local, state and national level.

   
   

Collaborate with community partners to enhance physical and digital resources.

1. Build strategies to support multilingual collections.

2. Expand relationships with community partners to market collections.

3. Expand digitization initiatives to enhance the understanding of the Ozarks.

Goal 4: Fostering a growing, forward-thinking and sustainable organization.

Investigate and develop alternative funding streams to enhance fiscal stability, strength and growth.

1. Pursue a tax levy increase or move to a sales tax-based revenue system.

2. Build a dynamic development program.

3. Maintain fiscal responsibility.

4. Identify internal and external funding sources to fund facility improvements, personnel, operations and collections.

Promote operational effectiveness that supports staff retention, professional development and

long-term workforce sustainability.

1. Ensure appropriate staffing levels.

2. Foster career growth opportunities.

3. Provide leadership development.

Ensure competitive and fair compensation that enables staff recruitment, retention and satisfaction.

1. Conduct a compensation and classification study.

2. Implement compensation study recommendations.

3. Restructure the classification system based on study recommendations.

Nurture an employee-friendly organizational culture that prioritizes trust, staff well-being and

support.

1. Assess employee satisfaction annually.

2. Cultivate a community of trust through transparent communication.

3. Foster open communication channels between leadership and staff.

Strategic Plan approved by Board of Trustees, May 2025