Planning

Public Library Plans

Put simply, planning is deciding what is going to happen at the library over the next few years.  It involves these basic questions:

• What are the needs in the community?

• What is the purpose of the library related to community needs?

• Where are we now?

• Where do we want to go?

• How will we get there?

• How will we know what we accomplished?

Your library will need to create its own plan to meet the unique needs of your community.  These sample plans will give you an idea of what a library plan looks like:

Ames Public Library

Bondurant Community Library

Iowa City Public Library

Johnston Public Library

Keokuk Public Library

LeGrand Pioneer Heritage Public Library

Sioux City Public Library

Community Analysis Guidelines

Click here for a list of guidelines and resources to help libraries with community analysis.

Planning Consultants

The following is a list of Iowa consultants familiar with the Public Library Association's planning process called The New Planning for Results.  Contact them directly to discuss availability, fees, and other details.

• Karen Burns, Administrator (Available only in Iowa Library Services, Southwest District)
  Southwest Iowa Library Service Area
  427 E. Kanesville, Suite 404
  Council Bluffs, IA 51503
  Phone 712-328-9218
  kburns@swilsa.lib.ia.us
• Susan Henricks
  2108 N. Main Street
  Dubuque, IA  52001
  563-584-0613
  or 563-589-4126
  shenricks@stout.dubuque.lib.ia.us
• Roy Kenagy, Library Consultant
  cell (515) 419-3394
• Kim Boynton Kietzman, Director
  Altoona Public Library
  700 8th Street, SW
  Altoona, IA  50009
  kkietzman@altoona.lib.ia.us
• Bonnie McKewon, Director (Available only in Iowa Library Services, Northwest District)
  Northwest Iowa Library Services
  P.O. Box 1319
  Sioux City, IA  51102-1319
  712-255-2939
  BMcKewon@siouxlan.net