Strategic Plan: 2026–2030

Mission Statement

Where families, learners, and neighbors explore, create, and belong.


Vision Statement

Minerva Public Library will be a welcoming place that reflects the warmth and character of our community, where people of all ages can learn, connect, and build experience for today’s world.


Core Values

  • Access: We provide free access to information, technology, resources, and spaces so every member of our community can learn, explore, and participate.
  • Community: We are rooted in Minerva and committed to strengthening connections, partnerships, and a shared sense of belonging.
  • Service: We serve our community with respect, care, and responsiveness, striving to make every library experience welcoming, helpful, and positive.
  • Learning: We support curiosity and lifelong learning by offering resources and experiences that help people of all ages grow in knowledge, skills, and confidence.
  • Stewardship: We responsibly manage public resources, facilities, and collections to ensure the library remains strong, sustainable, and valuable for future generations.
  • Tradition: We honor Minerva’s history, stories, and community heritage by preserving local memory and celebrating what makes our town unique.
  • Growth: We embrace innovation and new ideas, continually evolving what we offer to meet the needs of our community.

Strategic Priorities & Goals
 

Priority 1: Support Children, Families, and Youth

Goals

  • Expand after-school programming
  • Increase family programming at a variety of times
  • Expand outreach to the homeschool community
  • Improve the marketing of services to new families

Measurable Outcomes

  • Increased youth program attendance
  • Offer new youth or family programs on a quarterly basis
  • Continued engagement with Minerva School District

Priority 2: Strengthen Collections & Access

Goals

  • Increase availability of high-demand materials
  • Add unique and high-interest items to the circulating collection
  • Improve collection marketing both in-person and online

Measurable Outcomes

  • Increase overall circulation annually
  • Annual collection satisfaction survey

Priority 3: Enhance Welcoming, Functional Spaces

Goals

  • Improve comfort and flexibility of library spaces
  • Adjust spaces to meet the needs of patrons of all ages
  • Evaluate space for hands-on and collaborative learning areas

Measurable Outcomes

  • Develop and implement plan to create dedicated afterschool space
  • Decrease the number of patron behavior incidents
  • Complete improvements in Youth Services spaces

Priority 4: Expand Access & Convenience

Goals

  • Explore outreach/delivery options
  • Improve access to services through schedule adjustments and outreach

Measurable Outcomes

  • Evaluate and implement adjusted service hours as feasible
  • Create 2 or 3 pilot outreach or delivery efforts

Priority 5: Encourage Curiosity & Lifelong Learning

Goals

  • Expand adult education programs
  • Offer technology and digital literacy learning opportunities
  • Develop partnerships for skill-based programming

Measurable Outcomes

  • Introduce at least one new technology-focused offering annually
  • Increase adult program attendance annually

Priority 6: Strengthen Community Partnerships & Local Connections

Goals

  • Build stronger partnerships with schools, organizations, civic groups, and local businesses
  • Develop a local oral history project to preserve and share community stories
  • Use programming to highlight local businesses and community resources

Measurable Outcomes

  • Establish new or expanded community partnerships each year
  • Launch an oral history initiative and collect community stories annually
  • Partner with local businesses in programs, displays, or events throughout the year
  • Assist in the development of a new Friends of the Library group