Today we're pleased to release our Strategic Plan for the years 2023-2027, entitled "Inspiring Staff, Inspiring Spaces, Inspiring Yonkers." You can download a copy of it here (PDF).
Background
A Strategic Plan is a roadmap for how to keep an organization moving forward and meeting its goals. A good plan is not simply a checklist of tasks or set of step-by-step instructions. It establishes a mission and vision and sets major goals, but gives the organization the latitude to adapt to challenges and opportunities that inevitably arise over the course of five years. We think that's just what this document does.
Before describing the plan itself let's take a quick look at how it came to be written. This is undoubtedly the most collaborative document YPL has ever released. Thousands of Yonkers residents responded to an online survey about what they wanted to see from their library. Over thirty YPL staff joined committees on topics such as public service, technology, outreach and spaces; conducted research; studied best practices; and even took field trips to local libraries for ideas and inspiration. Key stakeholders, including Mayor Spano, were interviewed about their vision for library service. The result is a plan that considers countless perspectives on how to keep YPL moving forward.
Mission and Vision
YPL's new mission statement reflects a commitment we are making to the community we serve: "YPL is an essential and dynamic institution whose dedicated staff provide outstanding service, meaningful collections, and impactful programs in welcoming and inspiring spaces."
Our vision articulates what succeeding in our mission will look like in the future: "YPL improves life in Yonkers for everyone by fostering literacy, culture, connection and community."
Strategic Goals
The plan also outlines four major strategic goals for achieving our mission and vision:
Goal 1: Everyone Belongs Here
This goal revolves around making the library more accessible, inviting and inclusive to everyone in Yonkers. Are our buildings and website usable for people with disabilities? Can a native Spanish speaker navigate our website and the signage in our buildings in order to take advantage of library offerings? Just as important, do individuals see themselves, their language and culture reflected in our collections and programs? If you don't live near one of our three locations can you find meaningful remote or digital services? Can we bring the library closer to you through outreach events, pop-up collections, a bookmobile, or even a new location? Goal 1 explores all of these options.
Goal 2: Deliver an Exceptional Library Experience
"Deliver an Exceptional Library Experience" recognizes that the public we serve expect and deserve a great experience whenever they visit the library, even if it's to do something as seemingly simple as finding a book, attending an event, or printing a letter. Ultimately, a satisfied (or, better yet, enthusiastically dedicated) public is key to our long-term viability. It examines how staff can succeed in helping our patrons achieve those goals through the following: customer service training; updated and reliable technology; attention to how our programs and collections are presented and curated to the public; and data-informed decisions around what materials to buy and programs to offer.
Goal 3: We're Your Partner for Life (YPL)
Goal 3 examines how the library serves people and improves their lives throughout every stage of life. It also acknowledges the importance of forging partnerships to better amplify and extend those services. Although YPL strives to be all things to all people, this goal identifies specific demographics that can especially benefit from YPL, including infants and toddlers, older adults, and jobseekers, and the organizational partners we need to deliver such services.
Goal 4: Inspiring Staff, Inspiring Spaces, Inspiring Yonkers
The final, and in some ways most aspirational goal, looks at how we better invest in our staff and buildings. Done correctly, it envisions YPL as a driver of civic pride and quality of life in Yonkers and a model for library service regionally and nationally.
The plan gives us five years to achieve these goals, but we believe we've already begun to deliver on some of them, such as the recent launch of a new, user-friendly and ADA-compliant website, innovative services like the Seed Library, commitment to early literacy through the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, and inclusive spaces like the Sensory Room.
We encourage you to peruse the plan, let us know what you think, and keep us accountable as we strive to deliver on its mission, vision and goals.