This document outlines an agenda and process for a community meeting facilitated by Deb Hoadley to develop a shared vision and goals for the library. It introduces the S.O.A.R. framework to identify strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results. Participants will discuss their hopes for the community, identify themes, and challenges to achieving their vision. They will then discuss how the library can help address needs by focusing on specific actions. The meeting aims to develop draft goals and objectives for the library related to services, programming, collections, staffing, space and technology.

1. STRONGER TOGETHER
S.O.A.R. &
Community Vision
December 6, 2014
Facilitated by Deb Hoadley

2. STRONGER TOGETHER
Ground Rules
• Everyone participates; no one dominates
• No “right answer”
• Keep an open mind
• One person speaks at a time
• Keep discussion on track
• Build on ideas

3. STRONGER TOGETHER
S.O.A.R.
• Strengths – what is being done really well?
• Opportunities – where can there be
improvements?
• Aspirations – what will the library look like
or be in the future?
• Results – how will you know the vision(s)
have been realized?

4. STRONGER TOGETHER
Community Aspirations
My hope is to live in a community where
___________________________________
_.
This aspiration will benefit
___________________________________
_ and this is how
___________________________________
_.

5. STRONGER TOGETHER
Examples
My hope is to live in a community where our
youth have a safe place to gather and share
interests.
My hope is to live in a community where
there is public transportation available to
allow citizens to have access to shopping
and public and social services.

6. STRONGER TOGETHER
Themes and Patterns
Do we see any themes coming out of this
discussion?
– Communication needs
– Transportation
– Learning/education needs
– Safety

7. STRONGER TOGETHER
Challenges and Solutions
Right now we face challenges in reaching
these aspirations and in order to meet these
community needs we need to
_____________________________

8. STRONGER TOGETHER
Actions – How does the Library fit
in?
Where can the library focus to make a
difference?
What is that action, how can it be done, and
who is going to do it?
Note: Think about the SOAR exercise

9. STRONGER TOGETHER
Goals and Objectives
• Goals – long-term,broad, general statements
describing a desired condition or future. This
is an intention not a description.
• Objectives – short-term statement describing
the results to be achieved. This is
descriptive.
• Activity – set of tasks that accomplish an
objective.

10. STRONGER TOGETHER
Draft Goals
Library goals may relate to: services,
programming, collections, staffing, space,
technology and fundraising
• Goal: To develop, maintain and preserve
collections in a variety of formats and
locations.
– Objective: Library users will have access to
materials that are most relevant to the library
• Action 1: Will annually review and assess collections
• Action 2: Prepare acquisition reports on an ongoing
basis, and prepare budget accordingly