Strategic Planning Update
By Greg Pronevitz

The NMRLS Executive Board approved a new Strategic Plan for 2005-2010 in October 2005. The plan includes a new mission, vision statement and nine ambitious goals and related objectives set out by the Strategic Planning Committee. We thank the Strategic Planning Committee (www.nmrls.org/about/committee.shtml#spc) for their efforts.

We invited members to help us define steps toward implementation and their prioritization to meet these new goals and allow NMRLS and the membership to attain our vision at NMRLS' Annual Meeting. We had a great turnout and many valuable ideas were discussed and prioritized. The Executive Board will meet on December 15th to begin review of the ideas generated at the Annual Meeting.

Among the high priority activities were several related to delivery, e.g., investigate electronic delivery, the efficiency of processing in individual libraries, research on the impact of delivery models related to materials type, and modifications to library systems' software. In the area of continuing education members suggested information gathering related to the establishment of core competencies for library staff and how they might influence training, and research into elearning options.

A large group of members discussed reference services and recommended community assessment studies, forming a marketing committee, and identifying and publicizing unique special collections in the region. Another large group addressed marketing and public relations and suggested activities such as providing a PR kit, developing a clear message to the public with simple catch phrases, and translation of library marketing to diverse populations and language groups.

One group discussed NMRLS' infrastructure and recommended encouraging member participation by promoting a standard whereby member libraries with multiple employees each have at least one staff member in an active NMRLS role, having Executive Board members invite colleagues to sit in on Board meetings to learn the ropes, and developing rewards for service, e.g., training opportunities, social events, and public recognition.

In the area of partnerships, members called for a survey to identify unmet needs for group purchasing programs in order to create a wish list that could be prioritized and acted upon to expand discount opportunities beyond the existing purchasing cooperative.

Inter-library Collaboration participants recommended improving member knowledge about tools and services for interlibrary loan, identification of "expert libraries" that have important resources to share, and investigation of what types of materials might be part of a collaborative collection development project to efficiently enhance access in the region.

Funding issues were covered by a group that would like NMRLS to identify contacts in companies and foundations that might provide support and/or become partners with NMRLS and libraries, and to look into new, non-core services that might be offered to members for a fee that could support NMRLS growth.

The group discussing advocacy recommended expanding participation in NMRLS' electronic discussion list to reach all levels of staff in all types of libraries, using the list to educate members about the importance of advocacy and legislative alerts, and encouraging advocacy among staff in special, academic, school, literacy, youth services, and young adult libraries and departments.

We now invite members to participate in the implementation by completing a "Member Interest Form." (See link below.) Please contact greg@nmrls.org if you have any questions or comments.

Related Links:

Download a "Member Interest Form" to participate in implementation:
www.nmrls.org/strategicplan2005/memberinterest.doc

Download the Plan and Related Documents:
www.nmrls.org/strategicplan/index.shtml