Mission

The Caroline County Public Library brings people, information, and ideas together to increase knowledge, build community, and enrich lives.

Given the entrance of COVID-19 into our lives globally in early 2020, the staff and Board of Library Trustees recognize that we and the community we serve will face continued uncertain times with health and economic challenges at the forefront.

This strategic plan aims to provide a concise, flexible, agile roadmap that will guide us to effectively address the needs of the residents of Caroline County during these unpredictable times.

We are expanding our Pillars of Service to adopt the American Library Association’s E’s of Libraries ®:

• Education
• Employment & Entrepreneurship,
• Empowerment
• Engagement for Everyone, Everywhere [in Caroline County].

We add to that list Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Current challenges and needs facing Caroline County residents, along with economic, health, educational, and technological trends were also reviewed.

We will focus on Education, Economic Growth (which includes Employment & Entrepreneurship), and Engagement. Empowerment, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will be a part of everything we do.

In FY2019 we completed a Library Space Utilization Study of our three facilities. Input came from staff, library customers, library board members, and community members. From the Study we have a plan to renovate the first floor of the Central Library and improve the public space at the North County Branch.

The Board of Library Trustees and staff are committed to maintaining sustainable operating and capital budget levels by continuing to work with County and State funders; seeking new grants and donations; and supporting the Friends of the Library in their membership and fundraising efforts.

Due to rapidly changing conditions, this Strategic Plan will be reviewed and amended as needed.

ENGAGEMENT

• Expand the Library’s role as the community’s center for transformation and innovation.
• Increase use of the library through outreach and relationship building.
• Continue and diversify our arts and culture programs.
• Continue the library’s marketing strategy to ensure county residents are informed about what the library offers and how it can connect them to their community.
• Collaborate with our government partners to create spaces people need in our physical facilities and virtually:
  • Complete renovations of the first floor of the Central Library by 2024.
  • Create spaces at the North County Branch, Greensboro for flexible use of collections, technology and programs.
  • Enhance and grow our Virtual Branch to provide better access to digital content, online learning, and virtual programs.