Updates on the Alma Powell Branch Library can be found on kpl.gov/pow

KPL Creates Community

The KPL Plan — Our Strategic Plan


Regularly-timed strategic planning is a process needed to set direction and clarity for Kalamazoo Public Library, and to align the library’s resources in order to maximize impact for the community. In 2019, KPL staff and board focused their planning, spending, and attention to community needs and impacts based on a common vision, allowing for stronger cohesion and a clearer road for the future. To be good stewards, it is the library’s responsibility to continually reflect on itself and its community to ensure that our future vision remains relevant and accountable. A new process, a new look, a new assessment was needed at this time to ensure that our upcoming alignment of resources matches our vision, core values, and new priorities gleaned from a process that not only listened to our close constituents but also to our entire community.


Vision

Leading a stronger community through literacy, learning, and innovation


Community Aspirations

Equitable and Inclusive, Literate and Educated, Informed, Creative


Core Values

At the Kalamazoo Public Library:

  • We are committed to excellence in programs, services and collections.
  • We are community-focused.
  • We are committed to and intentional about equity and anti-racism.
  • We have safe, beautiful, and comfortable spaces.
  • We are committed to continuous improvement and innovation.
  • We have a passionate, engaged, knowledgeable, and creative staff.

Key Priorities for 2023-2025

Strengthening Organizational Health

KPL employees will feel welcomed, supported, and valued while contributing to an environment that prioritizes their safety and security, and their physical, mental, and social well-being. The library will support the professional development and growth of all employees.

Goals
  • Goal 1: Create a culture of greater accountability and encourage system-wide commitment to the library’s vision, core values, and priorities.
  • Goal 2: Strengthen safety and security for oneself, employees, and patrons.
  • Goal 3: Develop informed and compassionate library employees that reflect the makeup of our diverse community.
Benchmarks
  • Over 90% monthly documented one on ones, at all levels, for all staff.
  • Over 90% documented completion of annual performance reviews at all levels.
  • All levels of staff will participate in at least two professional development opportunities.
  • The current employee composition will reflect Kalamazoo County’s age, gender, and ethnicity.
  • Implement and launch an employee-centered internal communication plan.
  • Implement revised Emergency Procedures with a training schedule.
  • Produce Human Resources Annual Report.
  • Distribute an Employee Satisfaction survey to determine areas of improvement.

Advancing Equity and Inclusion: Library Services for All in our Diverse Community

Community members will have access to library services, spaces, programs, and collections that meet and reflect their needs.

Goals
  • Goal 1: Provide equitable access to library materials and services to everyone in our community, free from barriers.
  • Goal 2: Provide equitable access to library engagement opportunities.
Benchmarks
  • Complete a space needs study at all KPL locations.
  • New cardholders, circulation of materials, and library engagement in the zip codes 49001, 49007, and 49048 will increase by 5% over 2022/2023.
  • Establish a schedule and process for collection diversity audits.
  • Conduct neighborhood focus groups to assess current and future needs in the zip codes 49001, 49007, and 49048.
  • Craft and implement a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan for 2024/2025.

Inspiring Literacy, Learning, and Engagement

Community members will have learning resources and engagement throughout their lives to prepare and support them for school, work, and life.

Goals
  • Goal 1: Provide opportunities for lifelong learning to create success in school, the workplace, and in life.
  • Goal 2: Provide opportunities and access for community members to be creative through experiential learning.
  • Goal 3: Provide collections to support lifelong learning and experiential learning.
Benchmarks
  • Develop and implement a system to collect engagement data.
  • Digital databases related to lifelong and experiential learning, specifically creativebug, Linkedin Learning, and Kanopy, usage will increase 5% over 2022/23.
Lifelong and Experiential Learning
  • At least 75 engagement opportunities for adults will focus on lifelong and experiential learning.
  • At least 125 engagement opportunities for tweens/teens (12-18) will focus on lifelong and experiential learning.
  • At least 150 engagement opportunities for children (6-11) will focus on lifelong and experiential learning.
  • At least 275 engagement opportunities for pre-K children (0-5) will focus on lifelong and experiential learning.
Collections
  • 10% increase over the previous year in the circulation of digital materials.
  • 15% increase over the previous year in the circulation of Library of Things items.
  • 10% increase over the previous year in the circulation of adult materials (print, AV).
  • 10% increase over the previous year in the circulation of teen materials (print).
  • 10% increase over the previous year in the circulation of youth materials (print).
  • 75% increase over the previous year in the usage of library databases.

FULL KPL Plan 2019–22

KPL Plan Strategies 2019

KPL 5–year Usage Trends Statistics

KPL Benchmarking Data

Share: Facebook Twitter