YOUR OPINION IS NEEDED!

Please help us write our official Strategic Plan by completing our Community Survey.

You're invited to take our Community Survey to inform our Strategic Planning process for the Orange Public Libraries. Click the link here to take the survey!

Why a Strategic Plan?
A strategic plan is a document that sets the goals that a library, network, or other organization wants to focus on during a multi-year timeframe, usually 3 to 5 years. It is intended to help the institution move towards meeting its overall mission and vision. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners recommends that every library maintain an up-to-date strategic plan as a management best practice.

Who is on the Library Strategic Planning Subcommittee?
Amy Borezo (Trustee), Julie Davis, Jason Sullivan-Flynn (Library Director), Cory Tanner, Harry Veilleux, April Violette (Children’s Librarian), and Joanne Woodcock (Trustee) The subcommittee met once per month from March-May and will meet one final time in summer of 2025. Meetings are open to the public. Agenda and minutes are posted to the town’s website.

What process is being used?
The subcommittee is following the process laid out in The New Planning for Results by Sandra Nelson which has been recommended by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

What has the subcommittee done so far?
Step One: Establish a Vision for our Community
The committee created vision statements for our town, establishing where we want to be heading in the future. Current demographics and long range town planning are being considered in all steps.
Step Two: Create a SWOT analysis for the town
The committee looked at where the town is currently in terms of its (S)trengths, (W)eaknesses, (O)pportunities, and (T)hreats.
Step Three: Create a list of Community Needs
The subcommittee created a list of community needs that can help the town get from its current state to the vision established in step one.
Step Four: Choose Library Service Responses
The subcommittee selected six library service responses, detailed below, from a list of thirteen that correspond to community needs. The Trustees have approved these six service responses as our focus.
Step Five : Community Surveys
The chair and staff members on the subcommittee created a community survey to gather more input for the strategic plan.

What are the next steps?
We will be drafting the final plan for feedback by the committee, stakeholders and final approval by the Trustees. The plan will include our mission, preliminary goals and objectives that speak to our service responses, and plans of action to reach our goals. The plan will be submitted to the state board of Library Commissioners as well as be implemented in FY26. Plan implementation will be actively evaluated throughout the next 3-5 years.

Library Service Responses
The following service responses were chosen to focus on by the subcommittee that address community needs:
1. Commons
A library that provides a Commons environment helps address the need of people to meet and interact with others in their community and to participate in public discourse about community issues.
2. Community Referral
A library that offers Community Referral addresses the need for information related to services provided by community agencies and organizations.
3. General Information
A library that offers General Information helps meet the need for information and answers to questions on a broad array of topics related to work, school, and personal life.
4. Current Topics and Titles
A library that provides Current Topics and Titles helps to fulfill community residents' appetite for information about popular cultural and social trends and their desire for satisfying recreational experiences.
5. Business and Career Information
A library that offers Business and Career Information service addresses a need for information related to business, careers, work, entrepreneurship, personal finances, and obtaining employment.
6. Lifelong Learning
A library that provides Lifelong Learning service helps address the desire for self-directed personal growth and development opportunities.

Posted: to Orange Public Library News on Wed, Jun 18, 2025
Updated: Fri, Jun 20, 2025