Rippey Public Library

Strategic Plan 2025-2030

Development of Plan: In March of 2024, we had 17 participants from around the community participate in Community Focus Group calls. We disseminated these phone calls at the next board meeting at the end of March 2024. We also had an overview session with our district consultant from the State Library of Iowa in April 2024. From the community focus group calls, discussion with our district consultant, and dissemination of data we came up with four areas of focus/”service options” for the next five years, as stated in the plan below. 

Mission Statement: The Rippey Public Library will provide convenient access to library services to aid in meeting educational, cultural and recreational needs.

Goal #1: Civic/Community Engagement

The Rippey Public Library will continue to be an active voice in the community. It will promote public presence so the community is aware of valuable programming and services. 

• Objective 1: The Library will have hours of library service convenient to the population of this community. 
  • Activity 1: The library will maintain consistent hours, and consider changing hours to accommodate the working/commuting population by 2027. 
• Objective 2: Continue to have current and relevant collections.
  • Activity 1: To achieve this the library will maintain a list of requested materials and order from this list first.
  • Activity 2: Prioritize our nonfiction and reference book collections and get those items up to date with books and materials from within the last 10 years, by 2028. 
  • Activity 3: Work on promoting and curating our new “Library of Things” collection by offering programs showcasing this collection at least quarterly by 2027. 
• Objective 3: Encourage use of online resources, including platforms like Bridges or Brainfuse.
  • Activity 1: The library will promote the use of online resources by ensuring inquiring patrons are well-versed in using the resource by 2026. ​​​​​​​
  • Activity 2: Continue to promote these online resources to the public via the website by 2027.

Goal #2: Education/Lifelong Learning

 The Rippey Public Library is committed to continuing education and lifelong learning. 

• Objective 1: The library will offer free training and speakers to adult patrons. ​​​​​​​
  • Activity 1: The library will investigate speakers and have events a minimum of 4 times per year by 2026. ​​​​​​​
  • Activity 2: The library will advertise these quarterly speakers on social media, website and posters. 
• Objective 2: The library will ensure all computers are updated, as needed.​​​​​​​
  • Activity 1: The library will ensure technology is current and purchase a computer, as needed. 
• Objective 3: Continuing education for director and board members will be provided ensuring all are up to date on current policies and guidelines. ​​​​​​​
  • Activity 1: We will document our learning at the end of every board meeting. 

Goal #3: Information Access

 The public will view a vibrant Rippey Public Library website and be aware of library services and events through social media and other means of advertising. 

• Objective 1: Use multiple information sources to announce programs and resources available at the library. 
  • ​​​​​​​Activity 1: The director will use the library’s Facebook page to announce all  programs and alert patrons to new and existing resources. 
  • Activity 2: The director will work with any other community websites or media outlets to include the library in any community newsletters. This also includes direct mailers. 
  • Activity 3: The director and any library board member will submit articles to the local newspapers on a quarterly basis. ​​​​​​​
  • Activity 4: The Library Director will update the website and social media pages continually, making improvements based on metrics of engagement and event attendance, monthly at a minimum. 

Goal #4: Spaces/Places

  The Rippey Public Library will provide programs for various ages and group types.

• Objective 1: The director will introduce or continue a variety of programs such as summer reading program, guest speakers and children’s programs, crafts, adult reading programs, author visits and community coffees. ​​​​​​​
  • Activity 1: The director will invite program presenters on a quarterly basis. ​​​​​​​
  • Activity 2: With the demographic information of the population, we serve in mind, plan and present programs for all age groups, utilizing external sources when necessary
  • Activity 3: The library will offer story time crafts once a month for children in the community.
  • Activity 4: Teens and children will have learning programs available throughout the year. 

Evaluation:  The library board will review this plan quarterly. Evaluative methods may include an assortment of quantitative data (reports, attendance numbers, etc.), qualitative data (from patron input ex. talking to people about the library) and outcomes (through use of Project Outcome surveys).