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Carmel library trustees review draft 2025–27 strategic plan, push for timeline and execution details
Summary
Trustees discussed a detailed draft strategic plan that updates the library’s mission, sets goals on programming, equity, facilities and resilience, and asks staff to return with an execution timeline and assigned responsibilities before final approval in May.
Trustees of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Public Library reviewed a draft strategic plan for 2025–27 and instructed library staff to provide a clearer implementation timeline and role assignments before the board’s planned approval in May.
The draft condenses the library’s mission to a shorter sentence. The presenter said the board should adopt a mission reading to “remain the heart of our community, cherished by our village, and a welcoming place for learning, enjoyment and connection for everyone.” Trustees suggested small word-order edits and agreed the board should approve the plan by the end of the fiscal year to align it with budget planning.
The plan keeps four broad goals: be a center for learning and community connection; innovate for equitable access; maintain operational excellence; and improve environmental sustainability and resilience. Staff proposed concrete objectives such as weekly tech-help hours, deeper school partnerships across Carmel Unified, outreach to homebound patrons, restoring Saturday service, expanded large-print and braille collections, and continuity-of-operations planning tied to renovations.
Trustees repeatedly pressed for implementation clarity. Trustee comments focused on who would own each objective and how progress would be measured. “How do you know you’re on track? How do you know you’re off track?” one trustee asked, urging that assignments be delegated beyond the director.
Staff said they had already mapped likely responsible staff and would present a project spreadsheet showing milestones, assignees and target dates. The presenter said she intended to bring that tracking spreadsheet to trustees at a follow-up meeting and expected to post the draft plan for public comment before returning a revised version in May.
Trustees also discussed coordination with community partners. The Carmel Public Library Foundation (CPLF) and other volunteer organizations were identified repeatedly as potential execution partners for capital and program projects. Trustees asked staff to identify which objectives the foundation or other community groups could accelerate.
Staff and trustees agreed to continue the discussion at a future meeting and to seek community input on the draft plan before attempting final approval in May.
