Draft

Vision 2010
A Strategic Plan for Oregon Libraries through the Year 2010

Introduction

In 1999, an Oregon Library Association Executive Board charged a Vision 2010 committee to develop a road map for the next decade, building on the success of Vision 2000. The Vision 2010 committee developed its plan using the Public Library Association's Planning for Results approach. Environmental scans describing the current status and future issues in Oregon and its libraries were developed and used by the committee as the basis of their work along with input from library organizations. The scans along with this plan can be found at http://www.olaweb.org/v2010/.

The plan includes vision statements for Oregon communities and their libraries, goals, measurable objectives, and suggested strategies for the first several years. The committee believes that strategies need to continue to be developed throughout the decade as conditions and needs change.

The plan serves as a resource for both OLA and all types of Oregon libraries. Libraries can adapt the plan to meet local needs within their city or county, their campus, their school district, or their user community. OLA can use the vision to create legislative proposals, promote collaborative projects to address statewide needs, and provide staff development opportunities to keep pace with internal and external changes.

Vision for Oregon Communities

The environmental scans describe where we are and what is likely to happen in the next several years. The vision statements describe where we would like to be, as a community and as a profession dedicated to meeting the information needs of the citizens.

Oregonians are educated, thoughtful, and involved members of their communities.

• Children and adults have easy access to quality educational programs at all levels.
• Employment opportunities for Oregonians are plentiful and challenging.
• All Oregonians have access to adequate housing, food, and health care.
• The quality of life is enriched by a multitude of cultural opportunities.
• Oregonians maintain a healthy natural environment.
• Oregonians of all ages have convenient access to relevant and timely information.
• Oregonians work collectively to solve problems and enhance community well being.
• Communities accept and value their diversity.
• Oregonians support and respect the free expression of ideas.
• Communities offer a sense of security and physical safety.
• Communities are economically healthy.
• Communities support the growth of small business.
• Oregonians are involved in their government, acting upon issues and ideas in an informed manner.
• Oregonians support stable and appropriate investment in public services.

Visions for Oregon Libraries

Oregon's libraries play a critical role in the Vision for Oregon by helping Oregonians become educated, thoughtful, and involved members of their communities.

• Libraries promote the joy and life long benefits of reading.
• Libraries nourish the human spirit by stimulating intellectual curiosity and personal growth.
• Libraries guarantee the impartial provision of information.
• Libraries teach Oregonians the best ways to find useful information.
• Libraries are the leading advocates for equity in access to information.
• Libraries advocate for freedom of information and the protection of individual privacy.
• Libraries present cultural programs, collect resources, and provide services that anticipate and respond to the changing needs of their communities.
• Libraries reflect the diversity of our society.
• Libraries are the heart of the community, a community meeting place and source of pride.
• Library buildings reflect the needs, values, and traditions of their communities.
• Libraries are easily accessible, as physical spaces and as online service providers.
• Libraries are leaders in promoting and using information technology.
• Libraries create, organize, and archive resources to meet current and future needs.
• Libraries collaborate with other libraries and community service providers to improve information services to all citizens.
• Libraries contribute to economic development by providing information and services to support business and industry.
• Libraries are recognized as one of the best values in government service.

Goals and Objectives for Oregon Libraries

The Vision 2010 Goals and Objectives reflect the key issues identified in the Environmental Scans of Oregon Communities and Oregon Libraries and the Visions for Oregon Communities and Oregon Libraries.

Access

Goal

All Oregonians have easy and convenient access to library resources and services from their local library and within the state.

Objectives

1. A virtual statewide catalog provides online access to all collections.
2. People of Oregon have more and easier opportunities to borrow materials from other Oregon libraries.
3. Oregon libraries collaborate to pilot innovative ways of sharing resources throughout Oregon and beyond our borders.
4. All Oregonians have access to a core collection of electronic resources.
5. Oregon libraries collaborate to improve customer service and convenience.

Staff

Goal

People working in libraries invite change, approach problems creatively, and are committed to continual learning and the development of new skills. Libraries provide all employees with the support and encouragement to reach their full potential.

Objectives

1. Library organizations seek people with attributes, skills and abilities to promote the vision and flexibility needed to thrive in 2010 and beyond.
2. Oregon libraries develop aggressive plans to address retention and recruitment issues.
3. Oregon libraries invest at least 2% of their personnel budgets in the training and development of employees.
4. Oregon libraries collaboratively develop relevant continuing education opportunities to address needs in Oregon communities.
5. The library community works collaboratively with higher education in Oregon and elsewhere to create and sustain professional programs which address the most critical staffing needs in the state.

Technology

Goal

Librarians in Oregon continuously improve services and enhance customer convenience through the appropriate application of cost-effective technology.

Objectives

1. Libraries anticipate technological change and react quickly to developments to improve customer service.
2. Libraries collaborate to develop pilot projects to develop and deliver library services based on the changing ways people use technology.
3. Libraries make a major commitment to increase services through investment in technological infrastructure and technical training.
4. Libraries collaborate to organize and preserve our cultural heritage in appropriate formats.
5. Librarians contribute to the knowledge base by digitizing unique and special collections and by linking resources to assist library users.

Value

Goal

Oregonians consider libraries an essential community service.

Objectives

1. The people of Oregon recognize libraries as key in the development of the love of reading and lifelong learning.
2. Communities and parent institutions recognize the value of libraries and are willing to fund them appropriately.
3. Oregon libraries of all types meet standards established by appropriate professional organizations.
4. School library media services are recognized by school districts as essential to student learning.
5. Every K-12 school student has access to an adequate curriculum-based library collection managed by a certified school media specialist, and is skilled at finding and using library resources.
6. Faculty and higher education administrators support stable and adequate funding for libraries.
7. Librarians play a key instructional role on college and university campuses.
8. All Oregonians are served by tax supported public libraries.
9. Public libraries and their supporters work together to form economically viable and efficient organizations capable of providing and sustaining a wide range of high quality services.

Planning and Marketing

Goal

Oregon libraries design and target services in response to community needs.

Objectives

1. All libraries have a long-range strategic plan.
2. Library staff utilize market research tools to assess, address and advertise services to specific populations.
3. Oregon libraries work together with community partners to reach out to diverse populations including non-English speaking groups and older citizens.
4. Oregon libraries maintain and use current and projected community trend information to plan for changing service needs.
5. Library staff evaluate current services and redirect resources as necessary to meet community needs.

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