Sometimes, the process of creating a library plan can be...well...not fun. Professionally, we are pulled in many different directions at our schools, and we may have multiple people we are answering to who have their own ideas and priorities. It can be tricky to distill our goals into clear and concise statements about where we want to move our library for the benefit of our stakeholders.

I am in the process of creating my second library plan (the first plan had been approved 3 years ago, and our plan was due for an update). I found the article, "The Future Ready Librarian in Practice" to be a very helpful quick read, and a reminder about what I hope to do in my library: create a space that invites experimentation, creative, research, and collaboration.

I would recommend this article to any librarian who is beginning their Library Plan process for the first time, and to colleagues, like me, who are revising their plans. The suggestions in the article, such as "Empower your students to lead" are helpful reminders that we don't need to copy what another library is doing. What does that statement mean to you? How would you like it to be a reality in your library? Those moments of inspiration can be great sources for new library goals.

I had a draft of my library plan prepared, but have been reflecting on my goals before showing it to my administration before asking for school board approval. This article made me re-think some of the goals I had in my draft. It may do the same for you. Happy reading, and reflecting!

This is a Google Doc version of the Future Ready Framework that you can copy and edit for your own district. Answering the questions can help you to create your library plan. My administration loved this form.

Library plan slide deck from Mukwonago Area School District. This is a working document.

Not even sure where to start with library planning. Here are a few tools that might help you get started writing your library plan.

The Wisconsin Association of School Library Boards in their December 2021 issue of "Wisconsin School News" published a short article on library collection development policies, and how reviewing and revising these policies can be a key part in a school library's plan. The article is found on pages 20-23.