Bitterroot Public Library director Trista Smith knows just how hard it is to hit a moving target.
In the last week of October, Smith and members of the library board are hoping the public will step forward to help them with their aim in creating a new five-year strategic plan.
“When you start thinking about how things are changing so rapidly, it’s hard to know just where we’ll be five years from now,” Smith said. “This will be a best stab at where we need to go.”
The library has set aside two times on Oct. 24 for the community to step forward and offer input on the draft strategic plan that is now ready to read at http://bitterrootpubliclibrary.org.
“We want the public to tell us if they think we’re hitting the mark,” Smith said. “We’ve already received some great feedback from them. We’re hoping for a lot more.”
The sessions will be held from 3-4 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the library.
The draft plan breaks down five goals for the upcoming five-year span.
Smith said the library has already done some work on the first goal that seeks to create a space that fosters an environment of lifelong learning.
Initially that seemed like an overwhelming challenge, considering the fact the library is housed in an old Carnegie building that’s already bursting at the seams and isn’t particularly conducive to technology.
There was no money for an expansion or a new building, so Smith said the focus turned to making the best of what was already available.
They found that space just outdoors. Some new landscaping and places for people to sit added a whole new place for people to enjoy their library.
“That space that we already had wasn’t being used,” Smith said. “The transition has been amazing.”
The next goal focuses on the changing world of technology.
The library’s initial offering of Kindles for reading and another device for tapping into the world of streaming information and programming has been met with a great deal of demand.
“They are so popular that there’s a waiting list,” she said.
Smith said the library wants to continue to explore the potential of using technology to expand its offerings to the public.
Another goal centers on unleashing the creative potential of the library staff by using a program piloted by Google that allows its employees one free hour a week to explore and learn more about their field.
“A lot of great program ideas came from that time at Google,” she said.
The library’s plan also creates goals for the continuance of the library’s role as a community center and gathering place.
“Our Wild Wednesday offerings have really captured that idea,” she said. “We want to try to build on that.”
The last goal focuses on developing a new marketing strategy.
The two public meetings are open to everyone.
Smith hopes to have a final plan in place by the end of the year.
“I think we have a really solid draft plan,” she said. “We hope people will give us some solid input that we can add into it before we take it before the board and have it finalized.”
Reach reporter Perry Backus at 363-3300 or pbackus@ravallirepublic.com.
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