Advisory board flags 2026 strategic-plan update; members discuss options for facilitation

Library Director Corey Bridal reminded the Library Advisory Board that the current strategic plan runs through 2026 and that the board needs to begin planning for a successor next year. Board members discussed options that included hiring a consulting firm, engaging city staff who have helped format prior plans, or having a small board-led team facilitate the process. Bridal said the last plan was created during the COVID period and acknowledged the work by staff and volunteers. The board discussed trade-offs between broad community engagement (surveys, listening sessions, focus groups) and a narrower, in-house process. Members emphasized the difficulty of reaching residents who do not currently use library services and suggested outreach through school newsletters and the district to broaden participation. Several members offered to help with parts of the process; one member indicated they had experience facilitating strategic planning for nonprofit boards and another suggested splitting tasks (data collection, staff survey, community outreach, drafting). The board agreed to put strategic-plan work on the radar and to consider dedicating a full meeting in January for an initial review of current goals and priorities. No formal motion was made to hire a consultant at this meeting; the board asked the director to research options and report back with a proposed process and timeline.