Library seeks input on long range plan

Whitman County Library Board of Trustees is seeking input and comments from residents on a proposed long range plan for the library district. The recently updated plan can be found at the library's website at http://www.whitco.lib.wa.us or by visiting any of the district’s 14 library locations.

The library has expanded its mission statement to read, “The mission of Whitman County Rural Library District is to be the community’s number one resource for education, information, recreation and discovery.” Prior versions did not include the word education which the board felt to be at the core to the services being provided each and every day.

Another change is an expansion of the library’s services roles to include “Community Development.” In recent years, the library has steadily increased its activities in bringing technology to outlying communities, partnered on projects that affect local economies, connections of small business with valuable resources and providing workforce skills instruction to area residents.

The proposed plan was developed over the past few years using public input from two Washington State University led marketing surveys, staff suggestions from a strategic planning session held last spring and finally, by considering the future of libraries as described in The Aspen Report, The Center for the Future of Libraries and other public library planning resources.

To comment on the plan or for more information, contact Kristie Kirkpatrick, library district director.

kirkpatr@colfax.com