Participate in WiLS’ 2020 Public Library Strategic Planning Cohort

Need a strategic plan on a limited budget? Want to learn more about the process of creating a strategic plan with your peers? We are now seeking participants for our 2020 Strategic Planning Cohort for Small Public Libraries!

Contact Melissa McLimans at or (608) 515-8953 to participate or read on to learn more.

When?

April through October 2020

Who?

Public libraries with a municipal population of around 5,000 or less.

What?

Based on the success of the first cohort with 5 libraries in 2019, WiLS is offering the opportunity for libraries to be a part of a second cohort in 2020. This cohort uses a model of education, training and expert coaching and support with the result being a strategic plan for the library along with the learning opportunity for participants.

Like with the first cohort, WiLS plans to include the public library systems to support any member libraries participating in the cohort. In 2019, the partnering systems provided support and resources to help with the planning process, provided CE contact hours for participating directors, and some systems provided funding to assist with the cost.

The cost is $1,875 per library. Participants will be responsible for mileage expenses to attend two all-day, in-person workshops. For an additional $750, WiLS can administer a community survey for any participating library.

Library participation information

A participating library will form a team of 4-5 people, with the director being the project leader for the team.

Professional development for directors with the following learning outcomes:

Strategic plan development
Data gathering and assessment
Community engagement
Facilitation
Project management

Contact Melissa McLimans at or (608) 515-8953 to participate.

General timeline and process

April: Cohort orientation webinar
May: All-day, in-person data and information gathering training and workshop
Mid-May to August: Libraries work on data and information gathering action plan
Late August: All-day, in-person plan development and writing training and workshop
Late August to October Libraries work on data and information gathering action plan
Late October: Cohort capstone webinar