PLA Blog

Blogging in real time this morning, since the Internet connection service ends at the same time that the workshop ends…

Introduction

As usual, Sandra Nelson began with a recap of the rest of the week’s information, and answering questions. She provided us with the URL of Gwinnett County Public Library (outside of Atlanta) which has been doing a lot of the planning process online:

www.sandranelson.com/gcpl/overview.htm

To skip directly to the planning process, click on “Phase 1″

Monitoring Progress

June Garcia took over with this part of the training and walked us through an exercise from the online course. Participants broke into groups to examine the situation presented in a case study (in which staff were reluctant to let go of certain responsibilities even though they had identified them as ineffective). A variety of solutions were discussed, but Nelson chimed in to emphasize that the goals should determine the activities, and compromising to keep the staff happy may squander away your resources that should be devoted to the plan.

Sandra Nelson jumped in again before the break to share some citations for articles she discussed earlier in the week:

“In Search of a World-Class Mission Statement” http://66.23.131.98/archive/1997/mar/assess.txt
or
Google
Governing Magazine
Search
Advanced Search (full editorial content)
Mission Statement

“Customer Service and the Rule of 1965″ by Karen Hyman, American Libraries October 1999, vol. 30, iss. 9, p. 54

After a break, Nelson clarified that libraries should be sure that the activities are proceeding as designed, and that the activities are accomplishing the goals that they were designed to address. Reports to the board (or staff) should center around progress on the plan.

Every objective has a measure. Libraries will need to determine where they will get the data to track the progress (this can even be stated explicity in the plan). Workshops 9.4 and 9.5 are designed to help us do the following:

1. Identify the data needed to monitor progress toward reaching objectives
2. Develop a plan to collect and record the data needed
3. Review the data monthly and report to the staff and board on progress at least quarterly
4. Revise activities as needed to accomplish objectives

www.sandranelson.com “Planning Links” - provide examples of libraries who have posted their progress online

How often do we review progress?

monthly - individual activities

annually - Cluster of activities, some measures

year 2 - review and adjust objectives, if necessary

(No need to revisit goals except in extraordinary circumstances)

Recommended survey data analysis services include:

www.surveymonkey.com
www.perseus.com
www.boomerang.com

At the end of three years (or in the case of extraordinary circumstances), review the plan, determine whether changes need to be made. Some libraries invite planning committees back to touch base even if they think everything looks good.

At the end of six years (or whenever it’s determined that things have changed in the community), most libraries will need to repeat the process to insure that the community analysis is still accurate. This may be done either with the same committee planning group or by using new people.

Common Sense Guidelines for Collecting Library Data (handout 9.6)

Why do we need to collect data?

• State requires it
• Track progress on strategic plan
• Report to town/city
• grants require it

Definitions of library data are available at

www.niso.org (look for ANSI/NISO standards)

DON’T FORGET! - more information is available in the Planning for Results book

Examples of libraries that have been successful with the Planning for Results process:

Fort Worth - http://www.fortworthlibrary.org/

Las Vegas - http://www.lvccld.org/

The remainder of today’s session was spent with each participant beginning to develop a plan for their library, and workshop evaluations.

I would like to strongly encourage other participants in this program to post their own impressions/questions/success stories to this blog to provide a more comprehensive view of the experience.

Thanks to PLA for offering us this wonderful opportunity!

Tags: PLA, Results Boot Camp 9/2005, workshops

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