REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Approve Library Strategic Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara City Library has developed a Strategic Plan to identify the Library’s goals and priorities over the next three years. The Strategic Plan will be used to direct staff work efforts with strategy and intent, to strengthen services in those areas that will be most impactful for the community.
The Library began working with consultants Fast Forward Libraries in February 2023 to develop a strategic plan for the Library. This work 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. Community engagement and data gathering, supported by engagement with staff and the Board, was intentionally prioritized to ensure strategic goals are responsive to the needs of the community.
The Board of Library Trustees engaged with the consultants at five Board meetings in 2024, during which they developed a Vision and Mission for the Strategic Plan and kept abreast of the information collected in the Learning Report and the progress on the development of the Strategic Plan. Library staff continued to develop and refine the Strategic Plan in coordination with the City Manager’s Office in 2025.
DISCUSSION
The Santa Clara City Library has produced a Strategic Plan designed to be specific and actionable over the next three years, with a new mission and vision and three organizational priorities that are intentionally evergreen and can be refreshed with the growth and changing needs of the community.
The first organizational priority is to Increase Community Connection. The strength of the Library is its connection and its service to the community. Objectives include developing and growing partnerships in the community, aligning fundraising efforts to strategic objectives, and strengthening communications and outreach.
The second organizational priority is to Improve Capacity. This priority focuses on taking action to identify structural improvements and adapt to current needs, ensuring the department is designed to best support staff success and organizational outcomes. This includes refreshing outdated policies and expanding capacity through volunteer and staff development.
The third and final organizational priority is Building a Stronger Today for a Better Tomorrow. This priority focuses on those activities most needed to reach the vision of the future library of Santa Clara. It involves improving technology resources and services, in multiple languages; making process improvements for efficiency; improving data collection, analysis and reporting, and improvements to Library community facilities.
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(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than staff time.
COORDINATION
This report and the Strategic Plan were coordinated with the City Manager’s Office.
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 or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve Library Strategic Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: Sami James, Management Analyst
Approved by: Patty Wong, City Librarian
ATTACHMENTS
1. Santa Clara City Library Strategic Plan 2025-2028
2. Santa Clara City Library Strategic Plan 2025-2028 (Graphic Draft)