Draft strategic plan shows demand for more programs, raises accessibility concerns, board told

Wylie library staff presented early findings from a draft five-year strategic plan, saying patrons overwhelmingly requested more programming while some survey respondents raised COVID-related and accessibility concerns.

Staff said the patron survey had 340 responses; stakeholder respondents (friends, board, others) numbered four and staff responses numbered ten of 32 total staff. "So we got in the patron survey, there were 340 respondents... in the stakeholders that's you guys... we got 4 respondents... staff we've got 10," the staff member reported.

Survey highlights included requests for more author, cultural and children's events and interest in increased digital and physical copies of popular titles. Staff said many respondents reported learning about programs via Facebook. Notably, multiple patrons commented about COVID-related policies—some asked to drop mask requirements or to return to in-person story time—remarks staff described as surprising in number.

Accessibility was raised as an ongoing issue; staff said the library's new automatic doors have been shipped and they are awaiting an installation date. "The doors have been shipped. We're just waiting for the date for installation," the staff member said.

Staff also summarized stakeholder and staff feedback calling for private study spaces, more digital resources, training on serving patrons with special needs, and increased marketing and community metrics transparency. Board members discussed how to balance demand for more programming with budget and staffing constraints; staff said the strategic plan will prioritize achievable goals for the five-year period.

The board was told staff expect a fuller plan draft for review at a future meeting and that implementation steps will follow board and city review.