Task P Four: Planning Library Services.

Turn the vision developed in the assessment phase into a practical plan for providing specific library services. A different level of planning may be needed for each kind of districting project:

Establishment Territory that contains no library can be formed into a library district. The new library district sets up its own library and provides services itself. In this case, develop a complete library plan that includes information about services to be provided during the first three to five years and the personnel and facilities that are needed to support those services.

Establishment/Contract Service Territory that contains no library can be formed into a library district. The new district does not provide services to itself, but contracts with an existing library to provide services to its residents. The existing library's long range plan will need to be modified to indicate how its contract with the district will affect its services. The new district should develop a plan for evaluating the contract services.

Establishment/Existing Library Territory that includes one existing city or county library can be formed into a district that serves the city and surrounding territory. The city or county library's plan may be used as a basis for a new long-range plan for the district.

Establishment/City Library Combination Territory that includes two or more city libraries can be formed into a district that includes untaxed territory that connects the cities together. The existing long-range plans may be used as informational documents for a new long-range plan. However, a totally new long-range plan will need to be created for the district.

Establishment/County Library Combination Territory that includes two or more county libraries can be formed into a district. The existing long-range plans may be used as informational documents for a new long-range plan. However, a totally new long-range plan will need to be created for the district.

Establishment/County-City Library Combination Territory that includes one or more county libraries and one or more city libraries can be formed into a district. The existing long-range plans may be used as informational documents for a new long-range plan. However, a totally new long-range plan will need to be created for the district.

There are a number of different models for planning which are available. Some developed for libraries; others are more general. Good models of planning include the following elements:

A community description, focusing on community needs.

A mission statement.

Roles that the library district will fulfill for its community.

Goals, broad general targets which the library should achieve.

Objectives, by which achievement of goals is measured.

General approaches used to accomplish the objectives.

Activities that lead to accomplishment of the objectives.

An evaluation method for the plan.

A plan for updating the plan at least annually.

Contact the Montana State Library for help with planning.

Methods for Planning

The methods that you use for planning depend upon the level of planning that is required. Extensive input from the public should be sought if you are writing a new plan or making major changes to existing library services. Here are ways to gather public input:

User surveys Ask current users about their library use - what they like and what they would like to see changed. This method reaches out to the most likely supporters of the new district and is relatively easy and cheap to conduct. It has the disadvantage of only reaching current users and will not reach those who might benefit most from a new district.

Community surveys Survey people in the community by mail or telephone about the library and potential services. This method reaches out to the whole community. Asking people about library services helps them understand the possibilities that exist with a district library. The survey also contributes to public relations for the district effort. Its disadvantage is that it is expensive and time-consuming to administer.

Focus groups Bring small groups (8-10 people) together to discuss library services - what they like and what they would like to have from a new district. This method is more personal, and participants are allowed to react in depth. You can target a particular audience, such as parents, community leaders, teenagers, etc. This process is time-consuming to administer and it reaches relatively few people. The results require a good deal of interpretation.

Facilitated Community Meetings Hold a meeting for any person who wishes to discuss the library. Facilitate the meeting, so that every person in attendance has an opportunity to express opinions. Participants get to hear what other people are thinking and they can express their own opinions. Advertising the meeting contributes to the public relations effort of the districting project. Unfortunately turnout is often low and the information gathered does not necessarily represent a true cross-section of the community.

Use these methods throughout the planning process to gather information about the plan. An intensive planning process contributes to the public relations aspects of the districting effort, since continually asking the public for input about library services offers ownership to those services.

The value of the information gathered from these methods depends on the quality of work that has gone into each of them. Seek professional help in designing surveys. If that is not possible find help at local institutions of higher learning, which may view this kind of surveying as an ideal student project.