Jun 20, 2014 2 min read

Washington County Library System has hired Library Strategies Consulting Group, a Minnesota-based organization, to perform a countywide library service assessment to develop an improvement plan.

The library system board approved the plan last week at a cost not to exceed $11,500.

Melinda Tanner, district consultant librarian for Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, said the cost of the assessment will be paid for with funds from county coordination aid.

Diane Ambrose, director of the area’s library system, said the assessment is part of the state Office of Commonwealth Libraries’ goal for libraries through Pennsylvania to develop strategic plans regarding what services they will provide in an increasingly technological world.

“This will help define demographics and will assist our libraries as we write a countywide strategic plan, and Library Strategies will train a group how to train the other libraries to put together individual plans,” said Ambrose.

As part of its efforts to meet 21st-century demands, the library assessment includes a brief online survey for residents to complete, which includes questions on library use, such as which public library they most often visit and which services they use.

Also part of the improvement plan is the edge assessment, a management and leadership tool that is helping libraries and local governments work together so that libraries can be better positioned to address community issues.

Another component of the improvement plan will be a brainstorming session comprised of representatives from all of the system libraries and LSCG.

To participate in the library system’s online survey, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/washlibs.