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Strategic Planning FY2022 - FY 2027

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Strategic Planning at the Arms Library

What are our library's values? Our priorities? Our goals? Our role in our community's fabric? What actions will we take to understand and attain those goals? The Arms Library, with community members, is working on its Strategic Plan, which will create a map to answer these questions.

We hired a consultant, conducted a survey that was made available (by many and varied means, both hardcopy and electronic) to every resident of Shelburne and Buckland and all Arms Library users, as well as all of the Village businesses., we also had many conversations, and held two focus groups made up of residents of our Buckland and Shelburne communities. At our Open House this past Saturday, October 9, we invited focus group members, survey respondents, and all other community members to come in and let us know what you think of our Draft Strategic Plan. We had a great turnout!

Libraries must grow and change to remain vital; this particular planning process has brought to light many new library trends and ideas that dovetail with the services we currently offer, and the spirit in which we offer them.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) asks each library to develop create a new strategic plan that every five years, creating a guide that helps us to better meet the needs of our communities. We also submit an Action Plan, which details our goals for the next year and the steps we will take to achieve them.

In addition to being a planning document, It also enables us to apply for Library Services and Technology grants, which enhance library service and help us to meet our vision and our mission.

We are excited about the many creative, desirable, far-reaching ideas that Library staff, community, Board members and Friends, have developed! For the past 8 years we have been fundraising and renovating our library, while providing day-to-day services at the library, and we now have a safe, solid home, that is beautiful, historical, and functional. It's time to take it further, working even more on the heart of the library, in the heart of our community.

If you could not make it, and are interested in seeing our draft strategic plan, stop by to see copies of the draft plan. They will be up through Saturday.

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