Bexley library launches new strategic planning process
The Bexley Public Library is conducting an online survey and will host a workshop from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 12 to give patrons a chance to help formulate a new three-year strategic plan.
“Our last strategic plan was supposed to go to 2020, but then a lot of things happened in 2020 that delayed some of this, obviously,” library Director Ben Heckman said. “Seeing how things settle into the new norm, we thought now was the right time to talk to people about what do they enjoy about the library, what could we do differently. Are there other avenues, services that we could offer in the future?”
The process will help officials identify new and changing needs in Bexley and the surrounding community; assess the strengths and challenges in library programs, services and physical spaces; and examine how to best leverage resources in the coming years, Heckman said.
“There’s a lot of great ideas in our community,” he said. “We thought we could tap into that so that we can be the best library that we can be.”
Starting this month, the library, 2411 E. Main St., will offer several opportunities for public participation. Postcards ‒ featuring a QR code linked to the online survey ‒ are being distributed to all Bexley households. In addition, dedicated computers for the survey will be available at the library. A link to the survey will also be available at bexleylibrary.org.
The Jan. 12 workshop will be an opportunity for community members to learn more about the planning process and provide in-person comments, Heckman said.
“If people want to do it in person instead of doing it online, we’re here to answer questions,” he said.
As the process gets underway, officials are working with the State Library of Ohio to facilitate the process, Heckman said.
“The state library does strategic planning for libraries all throughout the state. They shared what are the best questions to ask,” he said. “We tweaked it a little bit to better reflect Bexley.”
The State Library of Ohio will collect and analyze data and present the Bexley library with a report that will be used to draft the strategic plan, Heckman said.
“They don’t actually write the strategic plan for us. They say, ‘Here is the feedback,’” he said. “This will give us a good overview on where to take the library in the future”
In addition to gathering public input, Heckman said internal sessions will be held with the library’s board of trustees and staff members. The information-gathering phase of the planning process will be followed by an analysis of the information collected, identifying goals and objectives and the development of the final three-year plan, which is expected to be finished this spring, Heckman said.
The new strategic plan is just one of several developments that the library has in the works for 2023. Renovating the auditorium ‒ including new lighting, refinishing the stage and installing new audiovisual equipment to enhance online streaming of live events ‒ is on track to be completed by the end of February, Heckman said.
Library officials also are working with the city of Bexley and the Torat Emet Synagogue, 2375 E. Main St., to develop a new outdoor reading room and event space between the library and the synagogue. Once final cost estimates have been completed, work is expected to begin on the outdoor reading room this spring, Heckman said.
Construction is expected to be completed by spring 2024 in time for the library’s centennial celebration, he said.
“I think it’s going to change Main Street,” he said. “Patrons can sit out in front of the library on a beautiful day. Maybe we’ll trick you into checking a book out.”
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Bexley library launches new strategic planning process
