The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is pleased to share a progress update on the first year of its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan “Allen County’s Window to Lifelong Learning and Discovery.” The strategic plan, launched in October of 2023, affirmed the library’s commitment to its mission, vision, and values in serving the diverse needs of the Allen County community and included specific goals and action items to drive the organization’s efforts through 2028.
In its first year, the library has accomplished all 38 of the strategic goals slated for 2024 completion and made significant progress on many of the remaining 27 goals scheduled for completion between 2025-28. These goals are centered around celebrating reading and learning, creating a culture of belonging, connecting community, leading through innovation, and designing functional, friendly spaces.
“We are so proud of the significant achievements our team has made this year. They include everything from expanding services to staff development to increasing access to early literacy programs,” said ACPL Executive Director Susan P. Baier. “I believe we owe this success to the perfect combination of community support, board leadership, dedicated staff, and a solid strategic plan. I am so excited to celebrate these successes and cannot wait to see what the next three years will bring to our library and the people of Allen County!”
Among the year’s successes, Baier notes the following:
The successful launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library which has already signed up more than 5000 children in its first two months of operations.
The opening of two additional StoryScape early literacy spaces at the Woodburn and Pontiac branches.
The implementation of a Management Leadership Cohort training program and ACPL Scholars forgivable student loan program for staff in partnership with the ACPL Foundation and Questa.
Launch of the Studios at the Library (formerly Maker Lab) including expansion and/or upgrades at Main, Georgetown, Pontiac, Hessen Cassel, and Shawnee.
New resources and collections such as Kanopy, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and Community Album collections.
The creation of new staff positions to better serve patrons and the community including a Social Services Coordinator, a Rolland Center Educational Outreach Coordinator, and a Bilingual Partnerships and Programs Specialist.
New fundraising efforts including partner fundraisers, the ACPL Store with licensed ACPL merchandise, and Gold Cards.
Installation of holds lockers at Dupont and a plan to expand this service in the new year.
Major strides in facilities upgrades including finalizing the solar roofing project at Main and securing Allen County Council approval for Phase One bond of the Facilities Master Plan.
Ben Eisbart, the ACPL Board of Trustees President added “This certainly has been a productive year for us which has enhanced our ability to serve our community and continue to improve the ‘People’s Palace’ in a meaningful and cost-efficient manner.”
In 2025, the library plans to open additional StoryScape spaces, facilitate a community-wide “Big Read” initiative, expand genealogy programming, launch 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, update wayfinding signage, launch bilingual storytimes, expand holds lockers, and more. To learn more about the library’s strategic plan and the progress being made, visit www.acpl.info/strategic-plan.
Comments