The Wisconsin PLSR Project: Hopes and Aspirations

This blog post is the third in a series of reflections from WiLS on the PLSR Project so far.  Read the first and second installments for more from the project managers on why it’s important and the surprises and delights in this beginning phase of the project.

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 their hopes for the future of the project.

Melissa McLimans

I can’t wait to watch the seeds that have been planted take off and grow. So much has gone into the early planning of this project, from the development of core shared principles to the creation of a network of service users and experts, establishing a strong root system (to continue the plant analogy) that will hopefully allow for creative ideas to be developed and eventually implemented. My hope is that as the project is cultivated, more and more library community members join in the discussion and actively take part in the creation of this new vision of shared and coordinated library services.

Bruce Smith

I am excited as the sphere of participation from our library community in this project continues to increase in size.  The principles of the project are very important and reflect not only the right way in which this project needs to move forward, but also the values of WiLS.  To me, the two key principles are communication and this project being led by the community.  As we move into this next phase, my hope is that library community members who may not have understood what this project is really about, or have not had the time to follow the progress of the project to date, will become connected and involved through the project communications to help shape the future of library system services in Wisconsin.

Stef Morrill

This is when the foundation we created in Phase 1 starts to have something built upon it.   The workgroups will be determining what they want as service outcomes for their area.  They will then be developing a model or models that they expect to meet those goals.  It is an exciting time as the workgroups begin their conversations and I am most excited to see what comes out of their hard work.  I am also looking forward to continued conversations with the community about the project, and my hope is that we continue to have the productive and positive conversations we had in Phase 1.

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!