Introduction

In April 2024, Library Director Jennifer Austin contacted the State Library of Ohio for assistance with researching content for a strategic plan. The library’s last strategic plan was created in 2007 and expired in 2012. Katy Hite and Erin Kelsey began leading the research portion of the process in May 2024. In June, a community survey launched in digital and print formats. Following the completion of the community survey, a staff workshop was facilitated in August. At the end of August, a community focus group survey was sent to select community individuals that answered they were willing to provide more information than the original community survey solicited. This survey concluded in September along with a board of trustees' workshop. In January 2025, the complete report of findings was submitted by Katy and Erin.

A strategic planning committee was formed in January. Members included Youth Services Manager/Librarian Corazon Britton, Adult Services Manager/Librarian Kelly McCorkle, Branch Manager Amanda Geary, Bookmobile Manager Kris Ringwalt, Page/Conveyance Aide Supervisor Jaymie West, Marketing Coordinator Jenn Williams, and Youth Services Assistant Keelie Williams. Due to Corazon Britton’s resignation prior to the committee’s tasks being completed, Interim Youth Services Manager Laiken Bantum was appointed to fill the empty spot. The committee reviewed the research shared by the State Library and provided answers and guidance prior to the director writing this plan.

Service Areas Identified

Satisfy Curiosity
Optimize Assets
A Comfortable Place
Know the Community

Addressing Service Areas 2026-2030

The top three responses for each service area are reflected below.

Satisfy Curiosity
- Create more partnerships with organizations serving adults with disabilities
  - Goal- Adult Services will partner with one to two organizations not previously collaborated with in the previous calendar year for programming.
- Create more programs for school-age children (Youth Services)
  - Goal- Youth Services will develop one new school-age (7–18-year-olds) program quarterly. The demographic may be divided to make content age appropriate.
- Explore offering programs from the Bookmobile (Bookmobile & Programmers)
  - Goal- The Bookmobile Manager will meet with Adult Servies Manager/Librarian and Interim Youth Services Manager to explore program possibilities from the Bookmobile.
  - Goal- One to two programs per year will be facilitated from the Bookmobile with an attendance evaluation to follow.
Optimize Assets
- Find ways to boost staff morale
  - Goal- The director will evaluate staff workflow, continue to hire open positions, and explore potential new needed position/s.
  - Goal- Evaluate staff workspace
    - Along with contracting with professionals for facility research, the director will work with professionals on staff workspace concepts.
- Research hours of operation and make necessary changes based on hourly visits
  - Goal-The director will research essential hours of operation based on library usage and visits and present findings to the Board of Trustees.
A Comfortable Place
- Research facility options to create more functional space
  - Goal- Along with contracting with professionals for staff workspace research, the director will work with professionals on facility options.
- Explore creating more outdoor space
  - Goal- The director will work with professionals to explore creating more outdoor patron space.
- Purchase new office furniture and explore more comfortable patron seating
  - Goal- The director will work with staff and professionals to explore furniture ideas for staff and patrons.
Know the Community (2 areas identified)
- Identify ways to increase promotional efforts
  - Goal- The marketing coordinator will find one to three new ways to market the library over the five-year plan.
- Identify additional partnerships
  - The director, adult services manager/librarian, and interim youth services manager will work to develop three to five new partnerships through programming and/or library services over the 5-year plan.

Board of Trustees
Coshocton County District Library
November 2025