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Killeen library consultant says system is under-resourced; plan recommends new outreach, flexible spaces and funding options
Summary
Consultant Garrett Mason and Library Director Tiffany McNair presented Killeen Public Library’s first five-year strategic plan, which found the library under-resourced compared with peers and recommended priorities including communication, community partnerships, programming growth and exploring facility expansion or a new branch.
Consultant Garrett Mason and Killeen Public Library Director Tiffany McNair presented a draft 2026–2030 strategic plan to the Killeen City Council on Feb. 17, saying the library is under-resourced compared with peer systems and recommending steps to increase usage and visibility.
Mason said the peer analysis showed Killeen Public Library (KPL) serves one of the largest service areas but ranks near the bottom on many measures. "KPL serves the fourth largest official service area population, but has the lowest total e-materials and second lowest e-materials per capita," he said, adding that the system’s total collection items per capita was 1 versus a peer average of 2.8.
McNair described the plan’s priorities: clearer, standalone communications; stronger community engagement and partnerships with schools, Fort Hood and local organizations; programming tailored to children, teens, seniors, English-language learners and workforce users; and exploring service-capacity improvements that could include renovating existing space or developing a new facility.
The presentation identified funding shortfalls as a central constraint. "KPL has the lowest total operating revenue per capita," Mason said, noting operating revenue per capita was "$11.60 less than the average" compared with peers. Council members and staff discussed the competitive nature of grants and structural barriers to receiving philanthropic dollars; one council member suggested creating or supporting a library foundation to accept donations and grants.
Councilmembers and staff focused on near-term, low-cost changes to increase visibility and use: hiring a muralist for the main branch, creating adaptable interior layouts so librarians can run tech training without displacing general users, and community "adopt-a-library" initiatives to bring art and volunteers into branches. McNair said the plan includes a spatial analysis showing high activity at the downtown main branch and in southwest Killeen.
The plan proposes pursuing longer-term options if funding allows, including adding square footage or building a new branch; McNair said such a decision would follow further site analysis and community input.
The council did not take a final vote on the plan at the Feb. 17 meeting; staff asked for council feedback to incorporate before a final draft is returned for future consideration.
