The strategy focuses on enhancing community outreach and engagement by utilizing the library's new van. It begins with conducting community needs assessments, using surveys and focus groups to uncover program priorities. Examples include collaborating with local organizations and schools to identify underserved demographics, ensuring the programming is tailored to community needs. Through ongoing feedback mechanisms, the library maintains relevance and responsiveness.
Developing strategic partnerships is another crucial component. By aligning with local businesses and organizations, the library broadens its impact. For instance, co-branded events and joint marketing efforts further community outreach. Partnerships are regularly evaluated for effectiveness and celebrate mutual successes.
Lastly, the strategy emphasizes a dynamic programming schedule. This involves regular van visits and themed programming, such as digital literacy workshops or seasonal events, designed to attract diverse community members. Flexibility allows the library to adapt its programming to community interests, ensuring engagement remains high and varied.
The strategies
⛳️ Strategy 1: Conduct community needs assessments
- Survey community members through online and in-person questionnaires to identify program needs
- Organise focus groups with different community demographics for detailed insights
- Collaborate with local organisations to gather data on community needs
- Review past library programming successes and community feedback
- Identify underserved areas and demographics within the community
- Utilise social media platforms to gather informal feedback from the community
- Engage with local schools and educational institutions for potential needs
- Review data and identify recurring themes and requests
- Develop a priority list of programs and services based on community input
- Set up a system for ongoing community feedback and needs analysis
⛳️ Strategy 2: Develop strategic partnerships
- Identify potential local businesses and organisations for partnerships
- Reach out to existing partners to assess interest in expanded collaboration
- Tailor partnership proposals to align with the needs of potential partners
- Organise joint meetings with partners to discuss mutual goals and responsibilities
- Create partnership agreements outlining roles and contributions
- Plan co-branded events and initiatives to maximise impact
- Leverage partner networks for broader community outreach
- Work with partners to develop and conduct joint programs
- Analyse partnership effectiveness and adapt as needed
- Celebrate partnership successes through joint marketing efforts
⛳️ Strategy 3: Create a dynamic programming schedule
- Develop themed programming based on community interests and needs
- Schedule regular van visits at popular community spots
- Rotate programming to accommodate diverse community interests
- Create a flexible schedule allowing for spontaneous pop-ups
- Introduce digital literacy programs by rotating technology workshops
- Plan seasonal and holiday-themed events for community engagement
- Coordinate with schools for educational pop-ups aligned with curriculum
- Promote mobile maker space sessions to foster creativity
- Integrate health and wellness workshops through partnerships
- Organise monthly or bi-weekly review meetings to assess and refine the schedule
Bringing accountability to your strategy
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.
