Proposed NOLA Strategic Plan 1999-2002
Will go to the Board of Trustees for approval in August, 1999

Goal #1

Secure a strong, stable financial base for NOLA

Objective A:
Work cooperatively with other Regionals and the State Library of Ohio in developing a unified proposal for state support for regional systems.

Objective B:
Work cooperatively with other regionals to retain state funding for next biennium beginning in 2001.

Objective C:
Stabilize funding.

Objective D:
Increase net revenue by $75,000 per year from contract:  Contract CE, Contract Services and Contract Consulting.

Objective E:
Develop strategies for and apply for grants as new / additional funding sources.

Objective F:
Develop a funding mix that includes a diversity of possibilities.

Objective G:
Conduct an annual review of membership fees.

Goal #2

Support and strengthen NOLA’s internal organizational structure

Objective A:
Continue to develop an effective board to enhance leadership and service for the organization.

Objective C:
Enhance staff productivity, morale, and the quality of the work environment to provide effective services and improve employee retention.

Goal #3

Promote the benefits of membership in NOLA

Objective A:
Identify and market the value of membership to maintain and increase membership by 5% over the next three years.

Objective B:
Facilitate the sharing of member expertise to increase the value of NOLA membership.

Objective C:
Explore new networking opportunities to enhance the value of NOLA membership at the rate of 1 new opportunity per year.

Goal #4

Promote and facilitate the growth of NOLA’s member organizations

Objective A:
Promote the role of member libraries as facilitators of new technology to ensure that libraries provide quality customer service.

Objective B:
Develop and promote special projects to enhance the membership’s awareness of technological advances.

Objective C:
Foster the development of professional leadership to ensure that NOLA’s library members are on the leading edge.

Goal #5

Strengthen professional development

Objective A:
To provide innovative youth services education and consultation to strengthen the professional development of children’s and youth services librarians.

Objective C:
Provide resources for public library trustee education and development at the local level to strengthen leadership of member libraries.

Objective D:
Provide five workshops / continuing education opportunities for member libraries’ support staff covering basic library skills.

Objective E:
Provide 35 workshops / continuing education opportunities for technological skills.

Objective F:
Develop continuing education tracks and investigate the requirements necessary to certify training for CEU credits.

Objective G:
Assess the need for and provision of educational opportunities to school librarians and teachers regarding information literacy education.

Goal #6

Advocate for the value of libraries

Objective A:
Develop a marketing plan to promote the role and value of libraries.

Objective B:
Strengthen NOLA’s legislative activities on the local, state and national level to keep member libraries informed on local and state legislative issues.

Objective C:
Identify trends which will impact libraries and regions to keep abreast of changes which will impact the development of future services, and to take a proactive role in facilitating change.