The Wisconsin PLSR Project: Surprise and Delight

This blog post is the second in a series of reflections from WiLS on the PLSR Project so far.  Read the last post and look for the next edition next week!

The Wisconsin Public Library System Redesign Project (PLSR) is a community-based project to consider how to best provide public library system services in Wisconsin.  Building on the work of many, its goal is to develop a plan for implementation of new models of service.  The process, led by the Steering Committee and managed by WiLS, will include nine workgroups to consider new models for services.  The outcome of the process will be recommendations for new models of service and how to implement these new models.

This week, the three WiLS staffers involved with PLSR share what has surprised and delighted them in the process so far.

Melissa McLimans

This project’s success relies upon the participation and deep involvement of the Wisconsin library community. It needs expertise and advice and people that are willing to dig into finding new processes and assessing existing ones. It needs people dedicated enough to read through reports and data as well as to organize and take part in meetings, webinars, and more. And, while I really shouldn’t be surprised since I’ve worked in libraries for a long enough time, I am amazed at the level of commitment from the library community. People who have full (very full) time jobs are stepping up and taking on this challenge and they are doing it enthusiastically.

Bruce Smith

In my 20 years being involved with library systems, there have been a number of times when discussions and different efforts have taken place to re-envision library systems.  And, besides some changes in different parts of laws related to systems and a few border changes, these efforts did not result in any major changes.  As the efforts of the last two years, from the SRLAAW Report to the Lean System Study to COLAND’s Strategic Vision for Library Systems, have developed into the current PLSR project, it is clear to me that this will not become one of those distant memories where people wonder, “Whatever happened to that study saying library systems need to change or consolidate?”  When the workgroup leadership gathered in March to begin their first steps, while the scale of what this project is about became quite apparent to all the participants, there was an amazing bond that formed in the group around the awareness that this is the time and together, we can do this!

Stef Morrill

This process is all about change – changes to the public library systems and services for the libraries they serve.  Sometimes, when confronted with a process like this, the first reaction can be one of fear or defensiveness.  It has been so rewarding to see the community reacting positively to this process and to have them truly be on board for the potential of change.  While I’m sure that future phases will bring more concern and tough discussions as things become more “real”, it’s been exciting to see the community embracing the possibilities!

 Would you like to learn more about the Wisconsin PLSR Project?  Read all about it and stay up to date with developments at http://www.plsr.info/.  If you have any questions or comments for the PLSR WiLS team, let us know!