Planning For Library Services

Planning for Library Services assists library and information service managers in initiating, improving, and sustaining good planning practices in their organizations. It provides practicing librarians with a guide to assist in their planning methods for increased library effectiveness and promotes a better understanding of the concepts, benefits, potential problems, and processes related to planning.

The PLA Results Series has long served to help public librarians envision, evaluate, and respond to community needs with distinctive programs and services. Building from this proven model, Strategic Planning for Results is the fully revised version of Planning for Results, the foundational book in this groundbreaking series. Sandra Nelson, senior editor of the Results Series, focuses on the essential steps to draft a results-driven, strategic planning process that libraries can complete over the course of four months, regardless of organizational structure or size. Reflecting on the current planning environment for public libraries, Nelson makes the case for strategic rather than long-term planning and includes a wealth of information about understanding and managing the change process to help staff Assess the change-readiness of the library and preparing staff to implement forthcoming changes Simplify data collection and decision-making processes through the use of 14 reproducible workforms Identify service priority options and reach agreement as a group Successfully present and communicate within their library Including the newly revised and adopted Public Library Service Responses, along with case studies, workforms, and tool kits, Strategic Planning for Results offers librarians a wealth of ideas to effectively meet changing community needs.

Planning for Library Services assists library and information service managers in initiating, improving, and sustaining good planning practices in their organizations. It provides practicing librarians with a guide to assist in their planning methods for increased library effectiveness and promotes a better understanding of the concepts, benefits, potential problems, and processes related to planning.

Intended to be used by librarians, this guide will also be useful to boards of trustees, governing officials, members of funding agencies, and community support groups involved in planning on a local level and within the context of regional and state library service. It provides information to help libraries plan and evaluate their services and meet the needs of users in the most effective way their resources will allow. Information is presented in three major sections: (1) administration and planning (structure and governance, planning, finance, public relations, friends and junior friends of the library); (2) resources (facilities, collections, personnel, staff development, volunteers, automation); and (3) services (access to service, reference, interagency cooperation, programming, extension). Each section contains a philosophy statement, goals, guidelines, and a bibliography. Appended materials include selected sections from Virginia's Freedom of Information Act; requirements for grants-in-aid; library lighting standards; a site evaluation questionnaire; the "Library Bill of Rights"; "Freedom to Read" statement; "Freedom to View" statement; "Free Access to Libraries for Minors"; "Guidelines for Library Services to an Aging Population"; "Standards of Practice for Professional Librarians"; "Statement on Professional Ethics"; "Children's Services Suggested Guidelines"; "Young Adult Services Guidelines for Virginia"; and a glossary. (SD)

Planning a new or refurbished public library means considering not only facilities for collections, services, staff and users, but examining also the local context, reviewing the library image, and developing relationships with other community facilities and agencies. This book examines the entire gamut of challenges confronting the planning and development of contemporary public libraries; their mission, their roles, and key issues such as lifelong learning, social inclusion, community and cultural needs, regeneration and funding. The helpful presentation and readable style guides the librarian through the preliminary information-gathering and decision-making process that ensures a successful library building for all concerned. Using practical case studies, plans and photographs, the author tackles the critical issues of siting, size, plans and design concepts, and provides a helpful guide to weighing up the alternatives of refurbished, converted and new buildings. Separate chapters focus on the planning, briefing and construction process; security, safety and sustainability; key characteristics of successful buildings; identity, decor and signage; and interior layout and facilities. The text draws together a vast resource of real library examples from all over the world which provide best practice models and lessons to learn. For funding authorities, librarians and architects of public libraries this is a highly informative book that will help to ensure wise decision-making and prevent costly mistakes.

This guide applies strategic management concepts and techniques to library and information services. It covers the key steps in the planning process from mission statements through to operational plans.

This text offers a planning programme to improve public library management and evaluative processes. It is devoted to defining missions, setting appropriate goals and writing the planning document.