REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Possible Action on Santa Clara City Library Draft Strategic Plan
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Since February 2023, the Santa Clara City Library has been working with consultants Fast Forward Libraries to develop a strategic plan for the Library. This work has included Board and Staff Kick-Off Sessions encompassing Environmental Scans and SOAR Analyses (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results); a Community Survey which collected 1,543 responses in five languages; Community Mapping activities involving interviews and focus groups; production of a Learning Report of data collected; Staff and Board retreat sessions; and a Staff Objective Setting Workshop.
At the April 1, 2024 regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees, the Board engaged in discussion with Amanda Standerfer of Fast Forward Libraries, the consultants working with the Library to develop a Strategic Plan. The Board drafted language for the Vision and Mission statements for the draft Strategic Plan.
On April 23, 2024, Library leadership, in coordination with Fast Forward Libraries, held a Strategic Plan Implementation Meeting, during which the team reviewed the process of selecting and developing specific, actionable Objectives and Activities in support of Strategic Plan goals. As part of the next steps, the Library will utilize Implementation Plan materials, the local data collected in the Learning Report phase of the Strategic Plan process, and the ideas and recommendations generated during the Staff retreat, to develop an implementation plan. This plan will include SMART(specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) objectives and activities and evaluation to support the higher-level draft Strategic Plan.
DISCUSSION
At the May 6, 2024 regular Board of Library Trustees meeting, Fast Forward Libraries will review with the Board the finalized Vision and Mission statements for the draft Strategic Plan. Library staff and Fast Forward Libraries will share information and updates with the Board on progress on the draft Strategic Plan and takeaways from the April 23, 2024 Staff Strategic Plan Implementation Meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than staff time.
COORDINATION
The draft Strategic Plan is being developed in coordination with Library Staff, the Board of Library Trustees, and consultants Fast Forward Libraries.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Board agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Review and discuss the vision and mission statements and project updates on the Santa Clara City Library Draft Strategic Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: Sami James, Management Analyst
Approved by: Patty Wong, City Librarian
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Santa Clara City Library Strategic Plan