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Strategic Planning

Strategic Plan 2013-2017
The Menomonie Public Library provides a valuable resource to residents of Menomonie and the surrounding area. In addressing the ongoing library needs of the community, the Menomonie Public Library Board asked John Thompson, Director of the Indianhead Federated Library System, to conduct a series of focus groups.  The focus groups involved members of our community to help identify library needs. These focus groups were held in April of 2013.  Based on the information gathered in our focus groups; community surveys conducted by Justin Prestrud; and staff discussion, the library board has developed this long range plan.  The plan focuses on 7 main topics: Community Awareness; Facility and Space; Funding; New Populations; Programming; and Technology.  The plan will serve as a guide for the Library Board in budget and service development.

Public Awareness Plan 2014-2015
The Menomonie Public Library has a long history of service to and support from the community.  The Library is in a stunning building on a beautiful lakeside site.  The Library receives support from both the City and County, and also receives private assistance from both a Friends group and Library Foundation.    In the last few years, the Library has seen modest but continuing declines, as have many libraries nationwide, in library usage, especially visitation, circulation of print and hard copy materials, and the number of library cardholders.  These declines have been offset, to a large degree, by use of various electronic materials which are accessed using the Library’s card, but are provided by the regional library or state system.    By embarking on a public awareness campaign over the next two years, the Library plans to reverse current trends and increase use of the library, make more of the service population aware of its services and resources, and advance knowledge and understanding among local decision-makers of the changing role and importance of the Library.

Public Survey 2012
Conducted throughout the fall of 2012.  Survey to determine usage of electronic media and mobile devices by library members.  Survey was available online and as hardcopy in the library.

Public Survey 2013
Survey on library space needs and public perception of the building conducted in spring of 2013.

Edge Technology Benchmarks
Launched in March 2011, the Edge initiative is an effort driven by a coalition of leading library and local government organizations to develop a suite of tools that support continuous improvement and reinvestment in public technology. The Urban Libraries Council is leading this Initiative.

Bremer Rural Libraries and Literacy Leadership Institute 2013-2014
The library has been selected as one of six western Wisconsin public libraries to participate.

Inspiration

The Otto Bremer Foundation is committed to building the strength and integrity of libraries and literacy programs within its rural communities. As part of this commitment, the Foundation initiated the Bremer Rural Libraries and Literacy Leadership Institute (“L3”) in 2012—a pilot program focused on building the leadership capacity of twelve rural Minnesota libraries and literacy programs. With the great success of this pilot year, the Otto Bremer Foundation will launch a second stage of the Institute in western Wisconsin beginning in September of 2013.

L3 Partners

L3 is sponsored by the Otto Bremer Foundation and presented by Library Strategies, a consulting group of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, and the Minnesota Literacy Council.  Benefits to participating organizations Participants in the Institute will work on building the leadership capacity of their library or literacy program. After a detailed capacity assessment is conducted, participants will attend the Institute training program. Training topics will be tailored to fit the needs of the participating organizations.

Topics covered may include:

  • Conducting fundraising activities to raise private support
  • Advocating for public funding for your organization
  • Building strong community partnerships
  • Building and managing a strong volunteer or library Friends base
  • Improving administrative infrastructure
  • Planning for leadership transition
  • Recruiting and developing a strong Board
  • Making effective programming decisions
  • Using technology for maximum effectiveness