Strategic Planning for Results

Citation

Fourie, I. (2009), "Strategic Planning for Results", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 482-483. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830910988603

Strategic Planning for Results is one of those rare publications I could not wait to tell people about. I think it is a must‐have publication for every public library, as well as the kind of publication librarians in other contexts could use. It is certainly also worth bringing this to the attention of students in library and information science.

Librarians, and especially public librarians, are facing many challenges, such as literacy problems, social inclusion and drawing in non‐users. Systematic, well‐structured, clearly‐written and practical advice on planning for different scenarios and problematic issues is therefore invaluable, especially if it also comes with all kinds of practical aids and advice.

Strategic Planning for Results consists of four parts, each with a number of chapters. The parts include: the planning process, public library service responses, tool kits and 14 examples of work forms. The part on the planning process covers guidelines on planning, identifying service priorities, setting the stage, reflecting on the future, and communicating the plan to all stakeholders. There are many issues to which public libraries need to respond. These include the need to support the development of well‐informed citizens, as well as building successful enterprises in business and non‐profit contexts. Public libraries call also offer support in raising cultural awareness, connecting to the internet, stimulating and developing young readers and interest in genealogy and local history and creativity. Interest in community resources and services, promoting reading and writing skills on different levels, support in making career choices, making informed decisions, and lifelong learning can also be encouraged. When considering other options that are discussed, such as stimulating imagination, offering support in homework, understanding information fluency, creating a comfortable space, and welcoming new immigrants, I really wish that, as an academic, I could have some part in addressing these challenges, and making a difference. The starting points and “how‐to‐go‐about‐it” are already offered in Strategic Planning for Results. Public librarians only need to carefully study the book, and contextualise it in their own situation.

Issues such as reaching agreement, library communication and presenting data are also addressed. The variety of useful work forms include: a communication plan, selecting planning committee members, community vision, community SWOT analysis, library SWOT analysis, analysing change readiness, goal worksheet, objective worksheet, branch goals, organisational competency issues, communicating the results, message elements and forced‐choice process. The work concludes with an excellent index.

Considering the wealth of information and practical experience shared on a level accessible to all, this work offers excellent value for money and is highly recommended to the target audience.