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G2S Project Code: 2019-NC-82915
State: North Carolina
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
IREDELL COUNTY LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Julianne Moore
Director Phone: 704-878-3092
Director Email: julianne.moore@co.iredell.nc.us
General Information
Title: Iredell County Public Library Strategic Planning
State Project Code: NC-19-12
Start Date: 07/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2020
Abstract: The Iredell County Public Library Strategic Planning project provided the County, Library, and the Towns of Harmony and Troutman with essential information needed to make informed decisions in regards to the future needs of the Iredell County Public Library System. The strategic plan was developed through an outside consultant who assisted the Iredell County Public Library in conducting a community survey, interviewing community leaders and stake holders, and utilizing the Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries to conduct public dialogues. The consultant provided a facilities assessment that examines the adequacy of existing facilities to meet the service needs of the community and requirements related to proposed facilities. The Iredell County Public Library system is unique because the Towns of Harmony and Troutman own the physical buildings where the library branches are housed. The strategic plan will be shared with all involved in order to make informed decisions regarding the future needs of the Library.
State Goal: Strengthening Capacity
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$15,817.00
$0.00
$5,273.00
$21,090.00
Intent(s)
Improve library operations.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Iredell Co. Planning & Assessment
Narrative: Under the direction of consultant Robert Burgin, we conducted a community survey, held two community forums, and five focus groups.

For the community survey - 1,689 individuals responded or 1.24% of the service population. We sent links out by email, posted them on our web page and on social media, on the county web page, and had paper copies available in the branches and at outreach events.

The focus groups held: teen focus group, local history focus group, seniors focus group, parent focus group ,and Harmony Branch focus group.

Two community forums - one at the Statesville Library and one at the Troutman Branch.
Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Planning & Evaluation
Mode: Prospective
Format: In-house


Quantity
Number of evaluations and/or plans funded: 1
Number of funded evaluation and/or plans completed: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: IREDELL COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 201 N TRADD ST
City: STATESVILLE
State: NC
Zip: 28677
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
We developed a 5 year strategic plan based on input from the community, stakeholders, and staff. We presented the strategic plan to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners for approval. We will use the plan as a road map for the future.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The timing of having our strategic plan approved was perfect. We went before the Iredell County Board of Commissioners in early March and the plan was unanimously approved by the board. This was very helpful as there were items in the plan that did not require money, but time. Due to COVID and providing limited services to the public we had time on our hands and started working on a variety of objectives from our plan.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Promote, promote, promote. We were determined to get as many responses as possible from not only our current patrons abut members of the community that did not utilize our services. Our goal was to go to at least 30 outreach events during the 30 days that the survey was open. Be open minded. Not every response is going to be nice, kind, or accurate. There are going to be responses that surprise you but that's okay. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and you need to be able to look at the data objectively and not take it personally.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Planning-Strategic