Surprise Public Library unveils strategic plan, new data dashboard and expanded 'Library of Things'

Kelsey, the library department head, presented the Surprise Public Library strategic plan to the council on Oct. 7, 2025, outlining priorities, partnerships and a new public data dashboard that staff say will make library performance metrics transparent to residents.

Kelsey described the library’s mission as "the library of the Surprise community," noting the system moved from county to city operations and that staff have used focus groups and front‑line conversations to develop the plan. She said priorities include community experience, research and information services, fiscal responsibility, economic development partnerships and government transparency.

Kelsey highlighted four key initiatives: an America250 reading campaign (455 participants and 4,846 minutes read at the time of the presentation), the thousand books before kindergarten early‑literacy campaign (750 participants, 50 graduates and 142,000 books read by under‑5 readers over the year), and expanded 'Library of Things' circulation (telescopes, record players, American Girl dolls, Tonie boxes, pickleball kits and caregiver kits). She said six American Girl dolls had about 40 holds and new items were drawing strong demand.

She also announced a new public data dashboard on the library website with 33 metrics tracked monthly, and reported a FY25 estimate that physical‑item checkouts produced $11,300,000 in direct savings to Surprise residents (the calculation covers only physical items and excludes programming). Kelsey said the result equates to roughly $3 of value for every $1 of the library’s FY25 budget for the included services.

Councilmembers praised the library’s growth and staff engagement, noting increases in gate counts and local partnerships. No council action was required; the presentation was informational.