Strategic Plan 2026-2029
The Alta Community Library Board of Trustees and Director, Gigi Nelson, met at 02/12/26 monthly Board Meeting, to identify areas of growth and strategize long-term goals to help the Library continue to succeed in its mission. These goals were developed with the mission statement in mind: to help the Alta Community Library grow and become a stronger partner in the Alta community.
Mission Statement
The Alta Community Library enhances the quality of life for community residents by providing residents of all ages with popular materials to meet their recreational interests, assisting students to attain their educational goals, providing access to information and answers to questions on a broad array of topics, and striving to be a primary contributor to lifelong learning.
Need Statement
Prior input from the board, director, library staff, and patrons formed these goals and the following objectives. During the planning process, several areas of need were identified:
Service: Service to the community is the foundation of our mission statement and purpose. Our staff is the most important resource. Ongoing training and learning opportunities are essential for the staff members to maintain a high level of service to the community.
Programming: While the Alta Community Library offers regular and consistent programming for children under the age of 5, adding programming options for other age groups continues to be a goal for connecting variety and opportunity to public interests.
Facility: The relocation of the library into the VFW space in the Community Center has further limited operations and programs from what the school location offered. However, the City of Alta allows for some events to be held at the park’s shelter house and inside community center rooms. A steering committee of city and rural patrons is formed to spearhead a capital fund drive for the new library building. This committee can be involved also with sourcing grant opportunities and other funding resources. The proposed land site for a new library was set by the City Council to be located in the North end of the city park, 204 E 7th Street.
Collection: Because of the relocation of the library into the VFW space, which is 30% (500 Sq Ft space) than the school space, furniture and shelving is in north storage at the community center. Various sections of the collection are being evaluated and weeded. DVD category has not been eliminated, however the need for shelf space is a priority and DVD reduction will open up more shelves for books. Note that the State of Iowa Subscription to Bridges/Overdrive electronic services increases the Alta Community Library offering of magazines, audio and eBooks to patrons, complementing our current physical collection.
Technology: After the library’s move from the school, tech support is negligible and on an “as needed basis” with NeoTek. The City of Alta is looking to coordinate tech support across all city departments, including the library’s needs.
Community Involvement: The City of Alta established “Friends of Alta Foundation” as a non-profit for departmental needs. Donations can be directed there with designation to the Library. The Alta Community Library Steering Committee will support the new building effort, eventually morphing into “Friends of the Library” recognized mission. The Alta Community Library also partners with the Warrior PTO to fund Dolly Parton’s Imaginary Library books to children in Alta and Aurelia. The library solicits sponsorships from businesses and organizations in both communities to be able to continue affording DPIL mailings of books.
Goals
1. Create a welcoming and engaging space for all community members.
2. Provide a wide array of programming for all ages.
3. Develop a robust collection of materials and meet the technological needs of the community.
4. Elevate the Alta Community Library’s image within the community.
Goal 1: Create a welcoming and engaging space for all community members.
· Objective A: Engage the steering committee in development of strategic planning for the goal of fundraising to build a new library building that includes a meeting room for library and public use with additional parking.
Challenges: Soliciting community patrons and volunteers to join the steering committee, further dividing into subcommittees for various tasks of leading a capital fund drive, grant writing and public relations work.
Actions:
· Meet with the finance consultant from the engineering firm for options in government funding along with other financial sources and potential donors.
· Liaise with city council as needed
Implementation: Director and library board, as needed
Goal 2: Provide a wide array of programming for all ages.
· Objective A: Working with programming development for dynamic and engaging literacy events.
· Evaluate what materials are needed
· Develop program benchmarks and incentives
· Communicate the program to staff and advertise to patrons
Implementation: Director, staff
· Objective B: Offer young adult programs with definite goals of teen-related interests and learning.
Actions:
· Offer teen-centered reading programs in winter and summer
· Explore the possibility of a teen book club
· Liaise with the high school teachers to promote library services to teens
Implementation: Director
· Objective C: Offer more educational programming for all ages
Actions:
· Identify a list of possible program leaders and presenters
· Reach out to the community and engage local experts
· Develop programs to educate patrons on existing library services
Implementation: Director
· Objective D: Policy review and relaunch the Homebound Delivery program
Actions:
· Establish a connection between the Alta Community Library and Wel-Life
· Determine program rules, eligibility, processes
· Develop a public relations strategy, practice and follow up evaluation.
Implementation: Director and staff
Goal 3: Develop a robust collection of materials and technological needs of the community.
· Objective A: Partner with Hometown Pride and engage with K Club teens to expand the library’s involvement in community programs like Summer Reading literacy programs, ‘community gardening’ and Hometown Days.
Actions:
· Apply for a Seed Library license
· Acquire seeds through program funding and donations
· Establish a display and organization system
· Establish check out rules for seeds
· Explore programming opportunities to promote the Seed Library
Implementation: Director, board, staff
· Objective B: Develop a technology plan and computer replacement schedule for the technology within the Alta Community Library.
Actions:
· With the city clerk, obtain a vendor for Tech Support
· Establish a computer replacement plan
· Establish an IT support protocol
Implementation: Director and board
Goal 4: Elevate the Alta Community Library’s image within the community.
· Objective A: Develop and execute a marketing and publicity plan to raise community awareness for the Alta Community Library.
Actions:
· Solicit an updated logo with the City of Alta
· Enact more consistent training of staff across library products and services, including library cards
· Discuss establishing marketing opportunities via other venues like radio, blogging and pod cast exposure.
· Explore the possibility of branded items and advertising opportunities
Implementation: Director
Future of the Strategic Plan
The director and Board of Trustees are dedicated to reviewing and implementing this strategic plan for the growth of the Alta Community Library and the good of the wider community.
· Enact more cohesive braining across library products and services, including library cards
· Discuss establishing a marketing and advertising line item on the FY23 budget
· Explore the possibility of branded items and advertising opportunities
Implementation: Director
Future of the Strategic Plan
The director and Board of Trustees are dedicated to reviewing and implementing this strategic plan for the growth of the Alta Community Library and the good of the wider community.