Help write library’s next chapter

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Teton County Library has launched its 2022 Strategic Planning Project. The first step is to gather public opinion about what the next chapter for the library will look like.

 All community members—those who use the library and those who don’t—are invited to take the TCL Community Needs Survey online or drop in at the library for a paper version in English or Spanish. Spanish speakers may access the online survey here.

 “Community input is our first priority for strategic planning,” said library director Kip Roberson. “The survey responses will give us a sense of current needs, as well as hopes for the library’s future. The plan that comes out of this effort will then reflect our community’s vision for Teton County Library and will guide decision-making over the next few years.”

 The 2022 Strategic Planning Project is being guided by a team consisting of a Wyoming State Library staff member and three public library directors from across the state. This process—called Rapid Results for Strategic Planning—is funded, in part, by a multi-state Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant. Teton County Library is the first library in Wyoming to participate in the project. A committee of Library Board members and staff is also involved in the process.

 About Teton County Library 

Teton County Library serves Teton County, Wyoming, as well as Alta, Wyoming, through the Alta Branch Library. The library’s physical collection of more than 87,000 items had a total of more than 315,000 check outs last year, and the digital collection brought 89,690 more check outs.

The staff consists of 35 employees (26 FTE) who work in the Jackson Main Library and in the Alta Branch Library. The library, which has an annual operating budget of $3.7 million, is in sound financial shape due to the fiscally responsible efforts of the Teton County Commissioners, Teton County Library Board and library administration.

The Teton County Library Foundation and Teton County Library Friends provide supplemental financial support, which makes possible essential program and service enhancements.

Teton County Library is a member of the State of Wyoming WYLD Library Network.

 About the Library’s Strategic Planning 

The library’s last strategic plan helped guide staff through the years 2017-21 with the mission to connect the community to resources, people, and learning. Since 2017, the library helped narrow the digital divide, improved use of space, removed barriers for users, added digital content, got people talking through thoughtful programming, and offered a wide variety of in-person, online and hybrid instruction and learning resources.

 As the library moves forward, the next strategic plan will build on these accomplishments as well as focus on the changing access, technology, engagement, informational, space, and life-long learning needs of Teton County residents.

The director and board have recognized that there are local, regional, and national trends that are causing changing usage patterns and expectations by Teton County residents and visitors. Library leadership will assess these trends, gather data from the community, library partner organizations, and stakeholders and then establish guiding principles for the library’s next few years.