Sometimes in library management, strategic planning can get pushed to the side. When you’re on the front lines, addressing daily needs with limited resources, it’s difficult to find time to think three, five, or ten years into the future. But for the Sterling Heights Public Library (SHPL) in Michigan, a comprehensive strategic plan has become the linchpin of a fresh approach to serving their community. Tammy Turgeon, Library Director at SHPL, talked with ReThinking Libraries about the evolution of her library and how strategic planning has reshaped their services, partnerships, and overall vision. 

Libraries understand the delicate balance between honoring the past and embracing the future—a balance that the Carnegie-Stout Public Library (C-SPL) in Dubuque, Iowa, is striking beautifully. The library, which has served its community since 1902, is in the midst of an exciting and thoughtful renovation designed to expand its services, modernize its facilities, and continue its legacy as a cornerstone of the Dubuque community.

Great Falls (MT) Public Library (GFPL) was struggling with a fundamental challenge common to many libraries: lack of funding. Since enduring budget cuts in 2014, the library grappled with the strain of providing essential services while operating well below the Montana state average. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, GFPL partnered with ReThinking Libraries and MMW Architects to conduct a thorough analysis of its operations, staffing, and capital needs.