from the Executive Director Message

Dear Stakeholders,

In the fall of 2021, Princeton Public Library retained Creative Capacity, LLC to facilitate a strategic planning process. The Library aimed to build a plan that would define the next chapter of its history of innovative service to the community.

Creative Capacity conducted extensive research to inform the planning process, including:

• One-on-one interviews with Library senior staff and Trustees, Trustees of the Princeton Public Library Foundation, and Trustees of the Friends of the Princeton Public Library.

• An online survey completed by 50 staff members, six Library Trustees, seven Library Foundation Trustees, and 11 Friends of the Library Trustees.

• One-on-one interviews with eight external stakeholders, including elected and appointed officials and leaders of community groups.

• An online community survey completed by 1,494 people, 91% of whom were cardholders.

• A listening session with the library’s Teen Advisory Board.

• Two listening sessions attended by 31 representatives of the library’s community partners.

• Two community listening sessions open to anyone who wished to register.

All of this research was conducted during an unusual time, when operations remained significantly disrupted by public health conditions. This stretched the typical planning timeline out somewhat, but library leaders agreed that planning decisions could be made more effectively once pandemic impacts had lessened. Fortunately, library visitorship rebounded during the summer and fall of 2022, allowing planning to proceed.

Planning retreats were held for library trustees and staff members in the summer of 2022. A team of library senior staff members worked with Creative Capacity to build the plan, with feedback from library trustees. The plan focuses on building an accessible and inclusive library community that warmly welcomes all residents. Removing barriers to library participation and innovating new services that support personal and community growth will remain key priorities. The library will continue to collaborate with the municipality, community organizations, and the business community to advance initiatives that support Princeton’s future as a healthy, inclusive, connected community for all.

This is an adaptive strategic plan, designed to help Princeton Public Library adapt to changing conditions over the next three years. The plan’s vision and objectives will guide the organization’s decision making. Broad strategies are included to illustrate the kind of work that is likely to take place; each strategy is followed by examples of potential projects that could fulfill the library’s objectives. These projects may or may not prove to be the best way to carry out the plan over time; annual assessments and project planning will determine the best

Mission

Princeton Public Library connects everyone in our dynamic and growing community by advancing knowledge, encouraging dialogue and providing opportunities for discovery and joy.

Vision

A vital cornerstone of community connection, where curiosity and wonder flourish.

Values

Learning and teaching

Equity and inclusion

Clarity and transparency

Humility and teamwork

Creativity and collaboration

Optimism and accountability

Kindness and an assumption of good faith