Goals
I.1. The PLYMC will have a dependable income stream that is adequate to fund core services.

I.2. The PLYMC will have access to supplemental funding and resources adequate to support innovation, research and development, and the creation of new services.

I.3. The PLYMC will have the ability to make relatively accurate estimates of future funding needs by anticipating and, to the extent possible, containing and controlling overhead costs.

I.4. The PLYMC will be perceived and acknowledged by the public as an exceptionally good steward of public funds.

Potential Strategies (Priority I - Funding):

• Secure ongoing support through the Library and Local Government Support Fund (LLGSF).
• Increase the amount and percentage of Library operations budget derived from non-LLGSF sources including local levy and/or other local tax revenues.
• Form a citizens' advocacy group.
• Maximize efficiency and identify and implement cost-saving measures on an ongoing basis.
• Invest in technologies with relatively short-term paybacks.
• Develop and seek Board adoption of a "Fund-Development Philosophy" document that identifies categories of need and appropriate strategies for securing support.
• Develop a master "Fund-Development Plan" and include a marketing component.
• Implement the master "Fund-Development Plan."
• Forge strategic partnerships.
• Seek expert information and advice.
• Collaborate with staff.
• Develop partnerships and cooperative buying agreements with other organizations facing similar challenges.
• Develop a Marketing Plan and include a "stewardship" component.

Priority II (Service Infrastructure):
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will provide high quality services from conveniently located, highly efficient facilities equipped with technology that reduces operating costs and technology that provide users with easily accessible up to date resources.

Goals
II.1. The PLYMC will be able to attain and sustain a high level of technological excellence.

II.2. The PLYMC will use technology effectively to improve its business practices and to reduce costs.

II.3. The PLYMC will be perceived and acknowledged by the public as a leader in technology.

II.4. The PLYMC will provide high quality library and information services from highly efficient facilities that are safe, attractive, well-equipped, well-staffed, and conveniently located throughout Mahoning County.

Potential Strategies (Priority II - Service Infrastructure):

• Review and update current technology plan.
• Continue to build the Technology Reserve Fund and use it wisely in accordance with the technology plan.
• Offer an attractive work environment that enables the Library to recruit and retain highly capable technology specialists.
• Partner with technologically advanced libraries to share expertise and to distribute risk in technology research and development efforts.
• Partner with non-library organizations to identify and monitor promising emerging technologies for possible adoption.
• Increase visibility of the Library website by building content and marketing it as a virtual branch.
• Increase visibility and technological penetration into County.
• Incorporate technology laboratories with premium quality hardware, software, and dedicated technology training staff in plans for all current and future regional branch libraries as well as the Main Library.
• Conduct a comprehensive study to determine the optimum configuration of facilities and deployment of resources (staff, materials, technology, etc.), i.e., a Master Facilities Plan.
• Involve the community in the discussion of facilities and service options.
• Implement the Master Facilities Plan.

Priority III (Meeting Community Needs):
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will strive to meet the diverse needs and high expectations of the people of the City and County in an equitable manner.

Goals
III.1. The people of Youngstown and Mahoning County will have access to services that are based on a good understanding of community needs.

III.2. The people of Youngstown and Mahoning County will receive services from highly efficient facilities that are safe, attractive, well-maintained, well-staffed, and conveniently located.

III.3. The PLYMC libraries will be staffed with an exemplary workforce that reflects the diversity of the City and County.

III.4. The people of Youngstown and Mahoning County will understand and acknowledge that the distribution of facilities in the County fairly balances convenience and fiscal responsibility while ensuring the high quality of services.

Potential Strategies (Priority III - Meeting Community Needs):

• Involve the public in the identification of community needs and of those needs that the Library is well suited to meet.
• Consider public input and actual user behaviors in the identification of "core" services (needs-based) and "enhanced" services (wants-based).
• Develop service priorities for each area of the County and/or each branch service area.
• Use the comprehensive study of facilities that has been conducted to determine the number and configuration of facilities and the deployment of resources that ensures the highest quality of service to the greatest number of people in the County.
• Involve the community in the discussion of facilities and service options.
• Maintain a rolling three-year implementation plan that is updated and revised annually.
• Continue a coordinated program of staff development and training with new emphasis on areas of need included in the strategic plan.
• Assess skills and/or workforce characteristics that can be "grown" from within and those that must be recruited from outside.
• Reward staff effort and innovation in tailoring services to meet the needs of specific population groups.
• Explore internships as a mechanism for acquiring specific skills (e.g., Spanish language skills) in the short term and in identifying potential recruits.
• Involve the public in a discussion of the convenience vs. fiscal responsibility issue.
• Develop a Marketing Plan with a component that speaks to the convenience/fiscal responsibility question.

Priority IV (Staff Development):
The people of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be served by a Library staff that is well trained, friendly, and assigned in adequate numbers to carry out high quality customer service.

Goals
IV.1. All PLYMC facilities and services will be staffed with highly competent, friendly employees who are fairly compensated for the work they perform.

IV.2. All PLYMC staff members will receive the training they need to perform their assigned duties.

IV.3. Staffing levels in all PLYMC departments and facilities will be adequate to carry out assigned tasks and to provide quality customer service.

IV.4. All PLYMC staff members will have the technology and other tools they need to carry out their duties.

IV.5. PLYMC will be able to offer specialized, expanded or extended services through the use of student interns.

Potential Strategies (Priority IV - Staff Development and Support):

• Offer an attractive work environment that enables the Library to recruit and retain highly qualified staff.
• Involve staff in decisions affecting work processes and the physical work environment.
• Provide training through the staff orientation program.
• Monitor staff development needs and progress through the annual staff performance review process.
• Develop specific "curricula" for each job description and implement an ongoing coordinated training effort.
• Continue "staff day" activities and look for other opportunities to build teamwork and highlight staff interdependence.
• Consider providing web-based learning opportunities for staff.
• Identify "model" staffing levels for each department and branch based on specific criteria.
• Provide ongoing customer service training.
• Review and update the current technology plan in view of staff technology needs.
• Partner with technologically advanced libraries and non-library organizations to identify and experiment with technologies that have potential for achieving greater efficiency.
• Provide healthful, efficient staff work areas.
• Forge strategic partnerships.

Priority V (Civic Responsibility - The Library's Role in the Community):
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will take an active role in building the greater civic community.

Goals
V.1. The people of Mahoning County will perceive and acknowledge the PLYMC as a major community institution.

V.2. The PLYMC will be included as a participant in community and County planning initiatives related to community development and improving the quality of life.

V.3. The people of Mahoning County will feel a sense of ownership in their library(ies) and will perceive them to be fair and unbiased.

V.4. The people of Youngstown and Mahoning County will perceive and use the libraries as "gathering places" in their community.

V.5. The PLYMC will consider the impact of its decisions on community life and will routinely engage and involve the community and other institutions in its decision-making process.

Potential Strategies (Priority V - Civic Responsibility - Role in the Community):

• Associate with other institutions/organizations that are seen as major community institutions.
• Develop a Marketing Plan and include an "institutional stature" component in the plan.
• Encourage staff involvement with other community organizations.
• Participate in major community events.
• Develop relationships and establish regular contacts with County and local officials and planning professionals in the area (YSU and commercial as well as government-based planners).
• Engage and involve planning professionals in planning major changes in Library facilities.
• Encourage staff/administration participation in community planning initiatives.
• Encourage use of library facilities for meetings where community issues are discussed.
• Highlight local character in designing and decorating libraries.
• Display locally produced art and feature local talent (e.g., poets, authors, and performers) in library programming.
• Engage local organizations in efforts to personalize/humanize library facilities.
• Publicize contributions made by individual donors and by local organizations.
• Forge partnerships with other organizations that can develop new programs featuring presentations of diverse views on important topics.
• Sponsor community events in the libraries that bring together a cross-section of the community.
• Hold "Town Meetings" regarding potential changes of significance.
• Seriously consider public input and respond to concerns.