Join the WiLS 2021 Small Library Strategic Planning Cohort

Collaborate with WiLS and a group of up to eight small public libraries to learn and create an affordable and actionable strategic plan.

WiLS launched the small library strategic planning cohort two years ago in order to support libraries that serve communities with populations under 5,000. Small libraries need strategic plans to help make decisions, understand meaningful data and information, and set measurable goals just as much as the largest library. However, small libraries often have a smaller staff and smaller budgets, making it difficult to commit to a longer planning process or pay for a full plan. That’s where the idea of the small library strategic planning cohort was born.

Rather than a process handled solely by the library or a consultant, the small library cohort is a combination of the two. WiLS offers planning expertise to guide the creation of participants’ plans. This includes a flipped classroom approach, reserving face-to-face time for interactive work and allowing participants to take in supporting information on their own schedules, coupled with strategic full cohort meetings and coaching check-ins with WILS. WiLS provides the cohort training on the collection and use of quantitative and qualitative data, finding themes in what is collected, and plan development. This past year the cohort held only virtual meetings, which saved participants travel time and costs (but we may meet once in-person to help build connections between participants, depending on health guidelines and individual preferences). Cohort members have expressed appreciation for the survey support, one-on-one coaching, and the guidance that keep things moving forward.

Building on the last two years of learning and success, WiLS will again offer the small library cohort of up to 8 libraries in 2021-2022. The cost is $1,875 per library. For an additional $900, WiLS can administer a community survey for any participating library. At this time meetings will be held virtually, though that is subject to change based on cohort preferences and public health guidelines.

Anticipated Timeline and Process

• August: Libraries confirm participation in cohort
• October-November: Team kickoff with WiLS and orientation webinar
• November-December: Recorded data training followed by a virtual meeting to share ideas about data gathering, answer questions, and determine data
• December-March: Libraries (and WILS) work on data and information gathering
• March: Virtual meeting to discuss data themes
• April-May: Virtual or in-person meeting in Madison to begin writing plans and develop a writing schedule
• May-July: Write strategic plans
• July: Capstone webinar

Previous Participants

Is your library interested in joining the small library strategic planning cohort or do you have questions? Please contact Laura Damon-Moore at laura@wils.org.