For the first time since the Richland Public Library was established in 1944, a formal ten-year Strategic Plan has been completed. The Strategic Plan will help guide the future by informing the library’s policies, practices, services, and resource allocation decisions. By achieving set goals, the library looks ahead to reach its 2033 Vision: “All Richland residents experience the library as a durable, trusted institution for the public good that is finely interwoven into the entire fabric of our community.”

To help develop this strategic plan, a community-wide effort to receive input was conducted in early 2022. The team gathered over 124 hours of public comments and insight at meetings, forums and work sessions. Idea boards were placed in the community to gather recommendations, and a successful community survey campaign was completed. In all, 509 public comments were recorded. A 16-member strategic planning task force was formed, comprised of members from a large cross-section of the community.The strategic planning task force, staff, and the consulting team finalized the community-informed plan. 

Library Manager Christopher Nulph states, “This library has seen incredible support from our community since it was founded. The library’s roles of Public Square, Community Advocate, and Knowledge Nursery reflect the value our citizens see in our operation. Our strategic plan sets the stage to brainstorm future ideas between our library and the citizens of Richland.”  

The library’s strategic plan outlines its vision, mission, values, roles, goals, and strategies to ensure success. It also includes an assessment plan and how to measures those successes.