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Library trustees set first-year priorities under proposed 2025–29 strategic plan
Summary
At a Jan. 18 special meeting, trustees reviewed the library’s mission and the 2024 accomplishments, then identified priority actions for year one of a new 2025–29 strategic plan, including stronger municipal relationships and a fundraising/sponsorship push.
Franklin Public Library trustees on Jan. 18 reviewed completed 2024 objectives and agreed on initial priorities to begin implementing a new 2025–29 strategic plan, emphasizing community outreach, municipal relationship-building and a targeted fundraising wishlist.
The board reaffirmed the library’s mission — “The Franklin Public Library is dedicated to providing every member of our community with abundant opportunities to learn, explore and connect” — before moving into a line-by-line review of proposed goals and first‑year activities for the new five‑year plan.
Trustees and staff highlighted several near‑term priorities they want to complete in the first 12 months: adopt consistent program evaluation tools (short patron forms and QR codes), create a communications strategy to better reach demographic groups, and establish clearer outreach and reporting rhythms with municipal leaders. “I think it would be a miss to not have something about facilitating community dialogue and the relationships with the city,” one trustee said during the discussion.
The board singled out improving relationships with city officials and the finance department as a top implementation task. Trustees said more regular contact — including quarterly check‑ins and pre‑budget briefings — would give municipal budget staff context about library needs (facility maintenance, minimum fund balance requirements and staffing) before formal budget hearings.
Trustees also asked staff to produce a concrete fundraising “wish list” to present to the Franklin Public Library Foundation and potential corporate sponsors. The board discussed packaging sponsorship opportunities by price tier (for example, summer reading sponsorships or program series) so the foundation can pursue businesses and philanthropic partners with specific asks.
Next steps set at the meeting include finalizing the year‑one action items and bringing the package to the regular board meeting on Jan. 27 for formal adoption and to begin scheduling outreach to city finance leadership.
Ending: Trustees agreed to post the finalized first‑year activities and to present the strategy at the regular board meeting for formal adoption and next‑step assignments.
