Wagnalls Memorial completes vision for the future

Aaron Burd, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
·2 min read

LITHOPOLIS − Wagnalls Memorial, a destination for arts, culture, and education, has set their sights on the future with the unveiling of a new strategic plan for the next three years.

With this new plan, Wagnalls' plan will be a step towards their vision of creating a community that is thriving through high quality educational and cultural experiences.

The five strategic priorities outlined in the plan are capital and financial planning for sustainability and growth, buildings and grounds maintenance and enhancement, honoring and building their legacy, cultivating a supportive community, and recruiting and sustaining a dedicated and talented staff.

"With the strategic plan we highlighted the values we felt were important for the organization and serving our community, which will carry on the legacy that was left to us by the Wagnalls," said Executive Director of the Wagnalls Memorial Foundation Deb Silvia.

Wagnalls Memorial's stated mission is to continue building upon their legacy by serving as a hub of opportunities to foster community unity, diversity and appreciation through arts culture and educational programs and services.

"I hope it draws (the community) near to Wagnalls," said Silvia. "That they find that we are a place, that we are their place, to come and gather, to come enjoy, to come experience literary pursuits and educational pursuits and culture. I just hope that it's more open and we develop much better relationships with our community."

Books and old photographs line the walls in the original library, which was built in 1925, at Wagnalls Memorial in Lithopolis, Ohio on August 22, 2022.
Books and old photographs line the walls in the original library, which was built in 1925, at Wagnalls Memorial in Lithopolis, Ohio on August 22, 2022.

According to Silvia, this is a broad plan that will be aimed at helping both Wagnalls Memorial's staff and the local community.

"It's comprehensive, it's looking at every part of the organization," said Silvia. "It also is really looking at our staff, it's looking to take care of our staff. It's also very community-focused, not only what we can do for the community but how we can bring the community in to what we do."

Wagnalls Memorial hopes that this plan will make them a destination for arts and education in Central Ohio, while also making it clear that they are more than just a library.

In the future, Wagnalls will be doing fundraising to help with their strategic plan. They are still in the early days of their three-year plan and they will need community input down the line.

To learn more about Wagnalls, you can go to their website or visit them in-person at 150 E Columbus Street, Lithopolis.

Diane Kollman, a book editor from Lithipolis, sits at a large table editing a book on her computer in the original library, which was built in 1925, at Wagnalls Memorial in Lithopolis, Ohio on August 22, 2022.
Diane Kollman, a book editor from Lithipolis, sits at a large table editing a book on her computer in the original library, which was built in 1925, at Wagnalls Memorial in Lithopolis, Ohio on August 22, 2022.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Wagnalls Memorial completes vision for the future