2026-2030 GRRL Strategic Plan

OVERVIEW

For over 50 years, residents of Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright have relied on Great River Regional Library for excellent, efficient public library services.

Our new long-range plan outlines how we will improve and enhance the lives of our residents and users. We aim to be the place where people in our communities can find and use trusted information they need to thrive.

MISSION & VISION

Mission: To serve all Central Minnesotans with library collections and services.
Vision: Foster the spirit of exploration, knowledge, and connection for all ages and cultures.
Theory of Change: People in our communities can find and use trusted information they need to thrive.

CORE VALUES

Core Values: Great River Regional Library is a PATRON CENTERED organization, and we express this commitment through three Core Values:

  1. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

    • We are an empowered, knowledgeable staff.
    • We speak and act with honesty and integrity.
    • We operate with respect for all, and appreciate our opportunity to serve.
    • We provide free and equal access to information.

  2. FORWARD THINKING

    • We challenge ourselves to always do better.
    • We explore innovation and new ideas.
    • We are responsive to a changing world, and will build on past success.
    • We promote lifelong learning.
    • We anticipate future service needs.

  3. COMMUNITY FOCUS

    • We build trust with one another, and operate as a team.
    • We communicate openly.
    • We create partnerships throughout the communities that we serve, to promote our libraries and services.
    • We are inclusive, and embrace diversity.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Strategic Direction: Support Learning

Intended audience: patrons, staff, and community

Goal: Support patrons' literacy.

  1. Objective 1: Enhance and support core literacy programs.
  2. Objective 2: Assist patrons with basic technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

Logic Model Outcomes:

  1. Increased digital equity and inclusion.
  2. Improved culture of literacy among community members.

Strategic Direction: Share Our Story

Intended audience: patrons and community

Goal: Improve communication to increase awareness of existing services.

  1. Objective 1: Develop multiple avenues for patrons to learn about or browse the collection.
  2. Objective 2: Build methods to support stronger visibility and promotion.
  3. Objective 3: Strengthen the reputation of GRRL as a trusted steward of information and resources.

Logic Model Outcomes:

  1. Engaged community - engaged in lifelong learning.

Strategic Direction: Welcome All

Intended audience: patrons and community

Goal: Eliminate barriers to library service. 

  1. Objective 1: Present accessible library information.
  2. Objective 2: Reduce barriers to obtaining a library account.
  3. Objective 3: Expand extended access models. 

Logic Model Outcomes:

  1. Empowerment of library users to use library resources on their own.

Strategic Direction: Grow Partnerships

Intended audience: community

Goal: Collaborate with organizations to reach complementary goals.

  1. Objective 1: Build meaningful local relationships with schools, organizations, counties, and cities to support library services.

Logic Model Outcomes:

  1. Engaged community - engaged in lifelong learning.