Investing in service planning is crucial for libraries to provide innovative leadership and effective service delivery to their communities. Libraries that understand their facilities and resources can communicate with stakeholders and make informed decisions to improve services.
The National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program’s Sparks! Ignition Grants Libraries web page is a great resource for researchers. Here libraries can explore new models, tools, research findings and services.
Public Library Innovation
In 2016, the winner was Gwinnet County Public Library Community Gardens. They have the tower gardens including six healing herbal secrets. Certainly, library planning support for innovative projects and initiatives can benefit the community.
By utilizing resources like the Sparks! and investing in service planning such as:
Community development
Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
Population-specific programs and services
Learning Space
Architectural Planning
Workforce development
Civic technology
Data privacy and security
Digital inclusion
eBooks
Open educational resources
Approach to Planning
Aaron Cohen Associates, LTD approach to library planning, which focuses on measurements and user needs, is a data-driven and user-centered approach that can be highly effective. By using analytics to understand quantitative service levels such as circulation, collection use, building usage, and technology usage, you can gain valuable insights into how the library is being used and where improvements or changes may be needed.
We are knowledgeable about different types of library facilities – learning commons, community center, national monument, and professional research facility – Contact Aaron Cohen Associates, LTD. We help leadership make informed decisions about the allocation of space, equipment, and resources to best meet the needs of their patrons. Our library consultants can identify areas for improvement or renovation, and make recommendations for changes to better serve their community. Take a look at our blog post on mobility and libraries.
Build Community
By sharing information about the library’s facilities, resources, and services, and by actively seeking feedback and input from the community, Innovative Leadership can build trust and engagement, leading to a more productive and effective library for all. Transferring knowledge between our library professionals and your community is a valuable way to spread information, raise funding and build understanding.
Gaps are Normal
There may be gaps between leadership and the community, but these can be bridged through effective communication and collaboration workshops. Our library professionals can work to build relationships with community members and involve them in decision-making processes, such as through community focus groups or public forums.
What we Do..
Our library consultant focuses on measurements and user needs. It is a valuable approach to planning libraries, and can help ensure that your library is meeting the needs of your community and providing effective and efficient services.
Invest in the Future
Investing in future strategies is an important factor in the success of libraries and their collections. Library service planning helps libraries identify their goals and priorities, allocate resources effectively, and adapt to changing community needs and technological advancements. A lack of strategic planning can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities for growth and improvement.
Building Feedback Loop
It is important to take into account qualitative feedback from library users, such as surveys or focus groups, to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and preferences. By combining quantitative data with qualitative feedback, your library can develop a comprehensive understanding of user needs and preferences, and use this information to inform strategic planning and decision-making. This may include the need for better meeting rooms. It may include a new layout for the library with private spaces for people to work. Contact Aaron Cohen Associates, LTD Library Service and Architecture Planning Consultants.
