Greater New London Community,
Thank you so much for participating in Tracy Memorial Library’s first ever Strategic Planning Process. As you may know, we recently concluded the data/information gathering phase of the process. We wanted to provide the community with some broad information about the process thus far and what the next steps are in the months to come. We’ve compiled an FAQ list below. If you have any additional questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you,
The Tracy Memorial Library Board of Trustees
Strategic Plan FAQ
What is the purpose for the strategic plan?
It is generally believed that all ‘healthy’ organizations (non-profit, for-profit, governmental, etc.) should have an up to date Strategic Plan. It guides decision making at all levels of the organization to ensure that the decisions being made are in line with the organization’s mission and values and helping the organization to progress in the right directions that are intended.
Who suggested the strategic plan initially? Who drove the process?
The Board of Trustees and former TML Director Sandra Licks originally put the wheels in motion for a Strategic Planning process in 2019. Up until that point the Board of Trustees had only done strategy sessions, not a full process. Unfortunately, we didn’t get very far. The plans understandably got put on hold during the COVID-19 Pandemic and then postponed again during our search for Sandra’s successor. Last year, Crystal and the Board of Trustees jointly decided we were in a good place and would be able to resume the project. The project was included in our budget. Crystal and the Board’s Personnel and Policy Committee took the lead on the process. We requested proposals from three different firms. We reviewed, scored, and deliberated on the proposals. After checking references we made a recommendation to the full Board to hire ReThinking Libraries. TML staff and trustees have worked in tandem with RTL during the entire process.
How will the strategic plan proceed in the future? How will the process continue without a Library Director?
We have completed the Data-gathering Phase with RTL and are awaiting their final report. Since we are in a slightly different situation than we had planned, with Crystal’s departure, we are going to delay the timing of the Implementation Phase. RTL prepared a preliminary report for Crystal to review and weigh in on prior to her departure.
We felt it was appropriate for her to weigh in before she moves on, but it would not be appropriate to begin implementing a strategic plan without a permanent Director in place. Once a new Director is in place, we will conduct a full day strategic retreat with RTL. At this session, which will include community members, board members, and staff, the full findings from the analysis and community input will be synthesized into the updated Mission, Vision, & Values, and the choices and priorities that will make up the structure of the High Level Strategic Plan. RTL will then use this info to draft the initial plan. After editing and adjustments are made in coordination with the library’s leadership and board, the Library will vote to adopt the new plan when they feel it meets the needs of the community and the library.
In what manner will the patrons and town citizens be informed of the ongoing progress of the strategic plan?
We greatly appreciate the communities’ involvement in the process thus far. We will continue to provide regular updates to the community regarding the ongoing Strategic Planning Process.