I recently was involved in a discussion about how libraries can develop their Vision of themselves as a 21st Century Library. It reminded me of the Strategic Planning Process that I have outlined previously in Posts – Library Strategic Planning Process Overview, and Strategic Planning – So What?. Some new thoughts struck me in the context of creating a Vision of a 21st Century Library, and then making it a reality.
What does it take for a library to create a Vision of becoming a 21st Century Library? As I wrote in 21st Century Library Strategic Plan – Vision Statement, the distinction between Vision and Mission is that a Vision “presents an image toward which the library is motivated and it inspires a compelling future – to become something more than most thought it could be”.
Creating that Vision is a combination of the following, IMHO.
• Recognize a need to become something more.
• Communicate that ‘something more’ into a shared Vision by all of your library stakeholders.
• Incorporate 21st Century Library tenets into your library’s operations.
Recognize a need to become something more
If the past 20 years of advancing technology have taught us anything, it is that people embrace change ONLY after they recognize a NEED. Most Baby Boomers are a good example as regards using computers, email, mobile devices, etc., as opposed to Millennials who have always had technology.
Library funding cuts, staff layoffs, rapid advances in information access technology, more information literate customers, advances in digitally available ‘books’, increased demand for technology-based library services, less communal society, and questions of relevance to your community. If these are not enough causes for concern about your library’s continued existence WITHOUT change – keep the status quo – I would really like to hear from you about why you think ‘business as usual’ will enable your library to survive long term.
So, you accept that your library DOES NEED to be something more than it has ever been, because change is needed in order to overcome all the challenges that your library faces. YOU recognize and embrace the NEED for change, but how does your library organization and all your stakeholders buy into that Vision?
Communicate that ‘something more’ into a shared Vision by all of your library stakeholders
It is difficult at best for so many diverse stakeholders to agree on a common Vision. However, if your Vision is one that enables your library to become ‘something more’, based on what is achievable and compatible with your Mission, it might be easier than you think to gain buy-in from others to your Vision. If “it inspires a compelling future”, odds are that others will catch it as well.
But, you have to communicate that Vision. Don’t you suspect that Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs were able to communicate their visions of their companies? Don’t ALL successful organizations communicate their Vision to all the people within their organization? Doesn’t it take all stakeholders to support the Vision in order for it to be successful? And, isn’t it an understood behavior for people to want to be a part of something bigger than themselves? Make your library that something for your stakeholders.
Once you communicate that Vision and get buy-in from those critical stakeholders, you need to rapidly move on that impetus and finish your new Strategic Plan so you can –
Incorporate 21st Century Library tenets into your library’s operations
Which tenets? Good question! Those that will enable you to achieve your Vision based on your Mission, Goals & Objectives, etc.
OK, if that sounds like it’s leading you around in circles, it’s not. Let me recap. Your Mission Statement is not developed in a vacuum. It relates to why your library exists for tomorrow. Today is already over. Each “today” is already a project that is in process, and you don’t plan for “today” – you plan for “tomorrow”. Your Mission should address why you exist and what you want to accomplish tomorrow. The Vision Statement is what inspires that compelling future. The Goals & Objectives are how you intend to achieve that future state, and all the other elements of the Strategic Plan contribute to achieving that compelling future.
One of the traditional problems with Strategic Planning was that people would look at a list of library service responses or traditional roles for a library and select those that looked do-able, incorporate them as Goals and call it GOOD!
WRONG WAY TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN! This is a new millennium in which old canned library roles and service responses can no longer be swapped around at will depending on the mood of the stakeholders. This new millennium has challenges and external factors (technology advances, education reform, and societal changes) that impact the library and are largely unknown and unpredictable. Canned strategic plans will not help any library achieve anything. A vibrant and dynamic Vision Statement will compel your library into that opportunity ripe future with confidence.
Create Your Vision of Your 21st Century Library!
