ACPL STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW

Step 5 of Phase 1 also calls for Godfrey’s Associates, Inc. to review the Strategic Plan of the ACPL and the roles the Library plays in the Albany County community, with corresponding goals and objectives.[1]

The consultants have been provided with an electronic copy of  “Albany County Public Library 5-Year Plan: APPROVED AUGUST 2007.  Work on the Plan was initiated in 2005.  The document provided the consultants is a PROGRESS REPORT Summary.

The Plan is organized into four major goals:

I – Programs and Services/Non-Infrastructure Technology with four goals.

II – Facilities and Space/Infrastructure Technology with two goals.

III – Funding and Budgeting with one goal.

IV – Friends/Foundation/Library Relations with one goal.

Inasmuch as the consultant study is to focus primarily on the Laramie facility our review of the Plan will address Goal II.

The first sub-goal is stated as follows:

Provide appealing and functional facilities in a friendly environment.

Three action items were proposed:

A.     Match physical environmental and use of space to library programs and services.

B.     Update technology plan.

C.    Develop a disaster plan to protect staff, patrons, collection, and facilities.

For sub-goal 1 seven “Steps to complete item” were identified.  The County Librarian and the Administrative Services Manager was identified as those “Responsible for Action.  Proposed Start dates were set for six of the seven Steps (none set for 1. Create maintenance and painting schedule.  Proposed Completion dates were established for four of the seven.  Those lacking Completion dates were 1., 3. Modernize elevator operations, and 4. Improve lighting and signage.

Estimated Costs and/or potential funding sources were identified for each of the seven sub-goals.  Only two of the seven had hard numbers -- $84,000 for Improve lighting and signage and $42,000 for Assess furniture condition and repair/replace damaged furniture and carpet.

As for Progress, the Plan states that:

1. Is in progress; painting begun.  Dates need to be completed.
2. Complete.
3. Architect has promised bids documents by 2-020-09.  (NOTE: While on-site during our initial visit it appeared that this sub-goal was very near to be completed.)
4. Funding needs to be identified and procured.
5. Same as 3.  Completed while consultants were on-site.
6. FY08 for completion.  “Shabby chairs replaced, new couches, and funding for carpet in place.
7. Explore contract for beverage service has not begin and a start date needs to bed postponed.

For sub-goals 2 (Update technology plan) and 3 (Develop a disaster plan …) minimal work has progressed due to loss of staff and/or a decision to postpone in the case of sub-goal 3.

Goal 2 is stated as Create a vision for the library of the future.  There are two sub-goals:  A. Explore feasibility of renovating, expanding, or replacing current Laramie facility for 2012 funding ballot, and B.  Involve stakeholders in the process.

The County Library and staff are the Responsible parties for A. and the Staff, Board, and stakeholders for B.  The Proposed Completion for A was stated as 2008, now shifted to 2009.  The Proposed Start for B. is 2010 and Completion also 2010.  “Steckel money for planning is listed under Estimated Cost.

SUMMARY AND CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS

The Plan is not, in the best sense of the word, a “strategic” plan – and perhaps it was never intended to be.  The Goals are clearly stated, as are the Steps.  The Dates are not firm, and were too ambitious to start with. 

That said, the primary Goal is number 2, Create a vision for the library of the future.  In essence, that is what this Needs Assessment Study is all about.  Stakeholder input has bee achieved – although there could be – and will be more as the consultant’s progress with their work on behalf of the ACPL.  Funding for the Study is adequate.  However, it appears to the consultants that a design charrette, proposed as an additional service in our proposal, would be most advantageous in presenting and ultimately selling the voting public on whatever recommendation is made and adopted.

The 2012 funding ballot, identified as the primary Action Item for sub-goal 2, may well be advanced to the spring of 2010.  Based upon the principal consultant’s interview with the City Manager of Laramie all decisions for a May 2010 election would need to be made sometime in February/March 2010.  If it is true that a “picture is worth a thousand words” then a design charrette could be a very cost-effective way to get the picture.

Regardless of that decision, the Plan that the ACPL is working with is a good one, progress is being made, and more will be made.