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Receive a presentation on the Library’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan; and Consider accepting the new five-year Plan
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Library Services recommends the Board of Supervisors receive a presentation on the Library’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan; and Consider accepting the new five-year Plan.
SUMMARY:
The Library’s new, five-year Strategic Plan will help address current and future library service needs for the community and enable the Library to make thoughtful service and budgetary decisions. The Strategic Plan project team, comprised of library staff, worked with department staff, elected and appointed officials, library supporters, and community stakeholders to facilitate the creation of the plan which addresses the proposed goals for an overall library service model, including collections, programming, technology, facilities, and staffing.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Library is funded primarily through property and sales tax revenues, resulting in no impact to the General Fund. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Library’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The new five-year Strategic Plan positions the Library to proactively provide resources and services that meet the changing needs of county residents in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The plan was driven by input from over 2,000 residents, including leaders from government, non-profits, business, and education.
The Library contracted with J. Stokes & Associates, Inc. to conduct telephone surveys in English and Spanish, with the goal of receiving feedback from people who do not currently use the Solano County library. 600 surveys were completed. The Library also deployed a survey in English and Spanish on its website and pushed out the survey via social media and email newsletters, receiving over 2,000 responses. In addition to surveys, Library staff conducted over 20 discussions with community stakeholders, and hosted in-person and virtual stakeholder discussions in English and Spanish.
After synthesizing the feedback, Library staff drafted the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan using three overarching themes: We believe Solano County Library is a place where you belong; We reflect and celebrate the communities of Solano County; and We make it easy to use Solano County Library. Under each strategic theme, the Library has developed initiatives and associated measures of success that will increase its reach and relevance in the community.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to accept this Strategic Plan; however, this alternative is not recommended. The new five-year Strategic Plan supports the Board’s ongoing efforts to ensure the Library remains relevant, provides services tailored to community needs, and offers free programs and resources for county residents.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Library received feedback from the Solano County Library Advisory Council, Solano County Library Foundation, Friends of the Solano County libraries, Dixon Library Governing Board of Library Trustees, Vacaville Library Commission, and elected officials from Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo. The Department also spoke with county and city employees from numerous departments before developing the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.
The County Administrator’s Office has been consulted on the presentation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION