As a public library in a Book Sanctuary Community, our mission is to share the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations. Our vision is to empower every voice in our community.
Strategic priorities
Our library prioritizes equity & anti-racism (and values of accessibility, empowerment, courage, impact-oriented work, innovation, representation, and social justice); engagement (and values of diversity, equity, inclusion, civic responsibility, collaboration, compassion, gathering, and participation); learning (and values of access, education, knowledge, intellectual freedom, literacy, opportunity, and privacy); and stewardship (and values of accountability, preservation, sustainability, and transparency.
Logic model: A snapshot of strategic thinking
The library’s logic model (PDF) provides a snapshot of strategic thinking and planning around key elements. It includes inputs (what we have), activities (what we do), outputs (what we produce or deliver), and outcomes (what impact we strive to make in our community).
Inputs
Community members, stakeholders, and partners; diverse and well-trained staff (full-time and part-time), volunteers, and interns; Board of Trustees; local government; funding (tax dollars, grants, donations); well-maintained buildings, furniture, and equipment; IT infrastructure; physical collections (books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, etc.); digital collections and online resources (ebooks, audiobooks, streaming music/movies, databases, etc.)
Activities & outputs
| Service Area | Activities | Outputs |
|---|---|---|
| Public Services & Programs | Circulation (patron accounts, materials checkouts, check-ins, holds); reference and information; readers advisory; tutorials and Learning Labs; space reservations; public technology access; in-person and virtual educational and entertainment programming for children, teens, and adults; in-person and virtual community outreach and engagement | # patron visits # library cards issued # digital accounts, conversions # active cardholders, households % new cardholder retention # Net Promoter Score # meeting/study room reservations # programs and attendees # program surveys completed, satisfaction # participants in SRP, 1BBK # reference interactions, 1:1 tutorials, Learning Labs # Book Bike visits, outreach visits, pop-ups # home deliveries, resource deliveries |
| Collections | Selection, acquisition, and cataloging of physical and digital materials; interlibrary loan; Special Collections and local history | # item checkouts, check-ins, downloads, ILLs, holds # items in collection, turnover % items checked out # average return to shelf time # Special Collections research contacts |
| Technology | Acquisition, maintenance, and repair of public technology (computers, printers, copiers, etc.); maintenance of internet/WiFi | # public technology use (computers, printers, copiers, Creative Studio) # WiFi sessions |
| Facilities | Facilities management (tracking and execution of capital projects, maintenance activities); Master Facilities Plan | # facilities requests made, completed # approved capital and MFP projects completed |
| Social Services & Public Safety | Community partnership development; patron need assessment and resource referral; incident reporting and management; building safety; emergency and public health preparedness | # incidents reported, resolved # patron service referrals, follow-ups # mental health assessments (Rush) # community partnerships |
| Anti-Racism & Equity | Equity audits of policies, plans, and procedures; staff trainings and learning events; staff affinity groups and intersectional gatherings; community partnership development; conference attendance; community programming | % policies, plans, procedures audited # staff trainings, learning events # staff affinity groups, intersectional gatherings % staff satisfaction, engagement, well-being # community partnerships # community meetings, events, conferences # presentations, speaking engagements offered # patron/community surveys # community-led/-supported programs |
| Communications & Development | Promotion and storytelling; print materials (newsletters, The Storyline, brochures, flyers, bookmarks, calendars); digital communications (website and newsfeed, cardholder email campaigns, social media); digital advertising; monitoring external media coverage and third-party site reviews | # external media coverage # third-party site reviews # social media reach, engagement # oppl.org unique users % email open and click rates % Google AdWords conversion rate # print calendars distributed |
| Finance & HR | Compensation and benefits administration; hiring and onboarding; performance development; learning and talent development; workplace well-being; budget preparation, management, and reporting | # position postings, applicants, hires # staff, hours, retention % applicant diversity, staff diversity % staff satisfaction, engagement, well-being # learning/engagement opportunities and attendees $ pay equity $ money budgeted, spent # expenditure reports provided |
Outcomes
A commitment to equity and anti-racism informs all of our work.
Engagement
Core values: Civic Responsibility, Collaboration, Compassion, Empathy, Gathering, Participation
- We focus on inclusive engagement and service to diverse community groups.
Outcomes: Increased access to and engagement with diverse collections by patrons; Expanded patron access to and engagement with library services/resources in non-traditional spaces; Increased opportunities for patrons to actively contribute to the library’s work; Improved patron satisfaction with library service; Improved service to Spanish-speaking and Latine patrons and new immigrants; Improved service to disabled patrons and awareness of the experiences of people with disabilities; Improved access to public health and social service resources for vulnerable patrons - We lead the community in impactful civic engagement.
Outcomes: Improved civic engagement among patrons; Increased patron opportunities for and satisfaction with community conversations; Improved patron access to and use of community information resources - We attract and retain a library staff that reflects the diversity of our community.
Outcomes: Improved and sustained racial/ethnic diversity among library staff at all grade levels; Greater library staff diversity in the areas of ability, age, gender, sexual identity, etc.; Expanded career development opportunities for library staff; Increased awareness of the roles and paths to library positions and others in the community; Improved library employment brand
Learning
Core values: Access, Education, Intellectual Freedom, Knowledge, Literacy, Opportunity, Privacy
- We build capacity for literacy and education.
Outcomes: Sustained access to free early literacy and K-12 learning opportunities for the community; Increased public engagement with early and adult literacy resources; Increased literacy and education opportunities for adult patrons; Improved literacy skills and attitudes among adult patrons; Expanded access to educational support for teens - We empower community members with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to reach their full potential.
Outcomes: Improved patron access to opportunities for creative expression and hands-on exploration; Sustained patron access to career/professional development and health/wellness resources; Expanded digital learning opportunities for patrons; Expanded personal and career development opportunities for teens
Stewardship
Core Values: Access, Education, Intellectual Freedom, Knowledge, Literacy, Opportunity, Privacy
- We invite everyone into library spaces that are welcoming, safe, and inspiring.
Outcomes: Increased library capacity to provide welcoming public safety services; Increased community awareness of library public safety model and practices; Improved public spaces for library patrons and staff; Improved staff and patron awareness about library data privacy and confidentiality - We provide broad, effective, and equitable access to resources.
Outcomes: Improved patron access to and satisfaction with physical and digital collections, online resources, and public technology; Improved technological competencies among library staff; Increased public engagement with library collections, programs, and exhibits - We prioritize sustainability.
Outcomes: Expanded environmentally-friendly practices in library operations; Greater financial sustainability in library operations; Increased diversification of revenue sources to generate funds for future library programming; Greater efficiency in maintenance processes for library infrastructure; Greater staff engagement with library data for decision-making and storytelling - We support all library staff to achieve happiness, well-being, and success.
Outcomes: Enhanced opportunities for staff relationship-building; Enhanced offerings for staff benefits; Increased transparency, awareness, and clarity in library decision-making for staff; Improved staff mental and physical health
Anti-racism & equity
Core values: Accessibility, Courage, Empowerment, Impact, Innovation, Representation, Social Justice
- We create and implement library policies that promote equitable outcomes for our staff and the public.
Outcomes: Improved and more equitable community and staff experience of the library’s policies, procedures, and spaces; Integration of restorative practices in library communication, engagement, and conflict resolution strategies with patrons and staff; Improved library understanding of and engagement with community members of diverse backgrounds, identities, and circumstances - We prioritize relationship-building and meaningful collaboration in our efforts to advance anti-racism.
- Outcomes: Increased and diversified library-community stakeholder relationships; Expanded partnerships and resource streams for supporting returning citizens; Increased opportunities for patrons to actively contribute to the library’s work; Increased and sustained opportunities for internal collaboration and relationship-building among library staff across and within different service areas, grade levels, and demographic groups; Increased awareness of and knowledge about restorative practices among library and community peers and stakeholders