Press ReleaseICPL to Begin Strategic Planning Process


The Iowa City Public Library is working on a new strategic plan and needs input from the public about how the Library will serve the community in the future. 

“Strategic planning is a significant part of overall service design, and aligning with the community’s aspirations is an important piece of the process,” Library Director Elsworth Carman says. “Our next five-year plan needs to balance changing community needs and position us to nimbly respond to new challenges.  A prerequisite for crafting this plan is engaging the community around some broad questions.  What does our community aspire to be? How can your Library support growth toward these goals?”

The Library's Bookmobile came about because of the strategic planning process, as did revamping the Computer Lab into the Digital Media Lab and creating a designated space for Tweens in the Children's Room.

In order to gather community feedback, 10 focus groups for Library users of varying ages will be held the week of December 2.

Monday, December 2

  • 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. General Session (Library Board Room)
  • 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. General Session (Library Board Room)

Tuesday, December 3

  • 2 to 3 p.m. Seniors Age 55 and Older Session (Environmental Education Center at the East Side Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE)

Wednesday, December 4

  • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Seniors Age 55 and Older Session (Library Board Room)

Thursday, December 5

  • Noon to 1 p.m. Teen Session (Library Board Room)
  • 4:30 to 5 p.m. Tween Session (Storytime Room)

Friday, December 6

  • 11 to 11:30 a.m. Caregivers of Young Children Session (Storytime Room)
  • 4 to 5 p.m. General Session (Library Board Room)

Saturday, December 7

  • 11 a.m. to Noon General Session (Library Board Room)
  • 2 to 3 p.m. Teen Session (Library Board Room)

“Feedback from these community meetings will have a very real impact on the next steps of our planning process,” Carman says.

If you’re unable to attend one of these sessions, a survey will be available at all service desks in the Iowa City Public Library and online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8JTZD5D. Carman also invites the public to email him their thoughts at elsworth-carman@icpl.org or call 319-887-6003 to schedule a meeting.

For more information, contact the Library at (319) 356-5200.