Strategic Plan

A note from Library Director Amy Falasz-Peterson:

In early 2020, the Library had started the process of drafting a new Strategic Plan. The work was paused for the Board and staff to focus on our response to the pandemic.

In August 2022, the Library conducted a community survey to see how we can improve our services to our community. This survey was the first step in updating our strategic plan. We had over 520 responses. And, I’m happy to report that most of our survey respondents are satisfied with the services the Library provides.

Our survey responders want more of all the things that the Library provides. Most survey takers  (42%) also visit the Library once a week.  More than 360 survey takers are interested in expanding our Library of Things collection, as well as having more special STEM programs.  Additional study areas and comfortable seating were also a top request. 

In addition, survey takers want to learn more about the services that they didn’t know we had. We are committed to effectively promoting our resources and services, and will work creatively to expand our reach to the community. 

After the survey results, library staff and board met to consolidate the information into the adopted plan. We settled on four goals to focus on during 2023-2025.

Goal 1

• Refresh the library’s building interior to attract new patrons, expand opportunity to use the library space, and most effectively use available physical space.

Goal 2

• Strengthen targeted marketing and communications efforts that build upon the community’s existing awareness of what the library has to offer.

Goal 3

• Optimize library offerings to increase their accessibility and efficacy within the lives of patrons

Goal 4

• Expand internal capacity to continually improve library services for the Deerfield community.

We are excited to meet our new goals, and the work has already begun. The input from our community, whether it be the 2022 survey, email, or in-person is invaluable. It takes a Village to make a great library.

Click here to view the Board Adopted Plan

A note from Library Director Amy Falasz-Peterson:

The Library completed it’s FY 2017 – FY 2019 Strategic Plan.  We have had some time to reflect on the work and projects completed over the past three years. The Strategic Planning process was productive and useful to measure the success of the Library. We were able to introduce new programs and materials that were of interest for the Deerfield community. We expanded our electronic resources collection by budgeting more annually for titles and resources.  The Adult Services and Youth Services staff developed a new Library of Things collection. These are non-traditional items available at the Library that aren’t books, CDs, or movies. Our collection started with Rokus and Wireless Hotspots as well as Discovery Kits focusing on STEAM concepts and hands-on making. We evaluated online resources and wanted to offer more options that would be of interest to the community, like CreativeBug (a free online creative resource). Our Youth Services department zoned the department by ages. In addition, we refreshed and added supplemental reading materials, toys, and games. The Youth Services staff created a new World Languages collection. We added more programming for everyone and have watched how that continues to grow in popularity. We monitor program registration and if possible, add additional sessions.

Finally, we repurposed existing Library space into a MakerSpace, which is multifunctional and designed to help the Deerfield community learn, create, collaborate, and have fun with technology.  This space opened in November 2019 and we’ve seen over 200 appointments. We have a creative community that has made everything from holiday ornaments to engraved mugs to embroidered towels.

The Board has embarked on a Strategic Planning refresh this year. We will examine our Library materials, services, and programs and look for ways to improve! Watch this page for updates later this year.

Click Here to View the Board Adopted Plan