New Baltimore County Public Library Strategic Plan Available from PLA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 2000
FROM: BRENDAN DOWLING
PLA COMMUNICATIONS ASST.
312-280-5021

“Balancing Tradition and Technology,” Baltimore County Public Library’s (BCPL) Strategic Plan V, is now available from the Public Library Association. Edited by Jane Eickhoff, “Balancing Tradition and Technology” assesses the current state of the BCPL, addresses how it has met its goals since the last strategic plan was written in 1997, and sets new goals to meet for 2003. Following the criteria for writing a strategic plan by PLA’s “Planning for Results: A Public Library Transformation Process,” BCPL’s strategic plan committee used demographic information to identify the prevalent needs of the community and then established service responses to meet those needs. The committee identifies nine goals, with subsequent objectives, to meet over the next three years, with each goal focussing on a specific age group. “Balancing Tradition and Technology” also includes both the library’s mission and vision statements. While the strategic plan was written specifically for BCPL, any library facing changing demographics, additional formats, increasing demand for services, funding issues, and a graying population should find the goals and objectives outlined in this book helpful.

“Balancing Tradition and Technology,” Baltimore County Public Library’s Strategic Plan V (14 p./ISBN 0-8389-8132-1) costs $24, with discounts available for ALA and PLA members. To order, contact the American Library Association Order Department, 800-545-2433, press 7. For more information, contact the PLA office at 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA. PLA is a division of the American Library Association.