Community Needs Response Planning for Public Library Accreditation
Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic,
the Public Library Accreditation program has been suspended for
2020.
We plan to resume the program in 2021.
All
Accreditation expiration dates have been extended by 1 year.
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The Nebraska Public Library Accreditation Guidelines are based on the principle that a good library is a library that is
serving the unique needs of its own community. Therefore, the Accreditation Guidelines require that each library applying
for accreditation submit a Community Needs Response Plan (previously called the
Strategic Plan) that addresses how the library will serve those needs.
The Community Needs Response Plan (previously called the Strategic Plan) must be up-to-date and include the following 7 elements:
- The library's mission statement.
- A community profile.
- An assessment of community needs. (A library's first responsibility is to address the needs of its
community.)
- An analysis of library strengths and weaknesses; and, an analysis of opportunities and threats outside the library.
- An analysis of what all this means and where the library can contribute to community progress, based on the previous 3 steps.
- Specific goals with measurable objectives or action plans that provide details
including timelines, assignment of
responsibility, etc.
- A plan for evaluation of accomplishment, and a summary of evaluation of previous accomplishments.
Public Library Accreditation and
Community Needs Workshop - Recorded online session - 2 hours - 5/30/2019
Workshop Materials
Community Engagement: Straight Talk - Recorded online session and
presentation slides - 1 hour.
Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide
for Strategic Planning - Recorded online session and presentation
slides - 1 hour.
Examples:
Templates and Guides:
Libraries which do not have a plan in place may use the following guide
to create a Community Needs Response Plan.
Community Needs Response Planning Process in
12 Steps
Please contact Christa Porter with questions about Accreditation via email or at 402.471.3107.
Related pages:
- About Accreditation
- Public Library Accreditation FAQs
- 12 Minimum Qualifications
- Accreditation Program History
- Sample Accreditation Application
- Nebraska Public Library Accreditation
Status - list of all Nebraska Public Libraries, with their accreditation standing & next accreditation year
- Public Library Survey