View and Reflect

Discussion Questions

Community Engagement:
Carly Delsigne emphasized the importance of surveying the community to guide library planning.
➤ How can your library ensure that community input is representative and not dominated by a vocal minority?

Data-Driven Advocacy:
Both presenters used data to advocate for funding and services.
➤ What types of data have been most persuasive in your experience when communicating with stakeholders or funders?

Survey Design:
Carly mentioned the value of forced ranking in survey responses.
➤ What are the pros and cons of using ranked-choice questions versus open-ended or multiple-choice formats in community surveys?

Communicating Impact:
Alyssa Wolenetz created a one-page infographic to summarize library impact.
➤ What are some creative ways your library could visually communicate its value to the public or decision-makers?

Digital vs. Physical Services:
Survey results showed strong support for both digital and physical library services.
➤ How can libraries balance investment in digital resources while maintaining robust physical services, especially in rural areas?

Strategic Planning:
The webinar highlighted the importance of having a strategic plan that is regularly reviewed.
➤ What steps can your library take to ensure its strategic plan remains a living, actionable document rather than a static one?

Succession and Data Integrity:
Alyssa discussed the importance of documenting data collection methods for future staff.
➤ What systems or practices does your library have in place to ensure continuity and accuracy in data reporting over time?

Leveraging Partnerships:
Carly’s library worked with the Montana Local Government Center for survey development.
➤ What local or state partnerships could your library explore to strengthen planning, evaluation, or outreach efforts?

Discussion questions generated by Microsoft Copilot.

Recording

(44:25)

MSL Resources and Consulting

You can learn more about planning and evaluation in a variety of ways.

• North Jefferson County Library District
• MSU Local Government Center
• Lewistown Public Library
• Annual Report Template
• Canva for Non-profits
• Lewistown Public Library - Contributions to Montana History Portal  
• Elective Roadmap to Library Excellence
• MSL Strategic Planning Resources
• MSL Public Library Statistics Resources
• MSL Connecting with Local Government Resources