Essential Components

Page through this series of examples to take a look at what the essential components of a written plan might look like.

You can review and download copies of this information in the Handbook Files and Samples section of the course.


Your library’s strategic plan should include: 

  • The date range for your strategic plan. This will usually be three to five years. 
  • Your library’s mission and vision statements. Your goals should always be connected to the library’s mission. 
  • Your library’s high-level goals for this time frame. 
    • Remember to focus on the three to five most important goals as indicated by what you’ve learned, and to write them as SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound). 
    • It’s also helpful to state the desired outcome for each goal.  
  • Under each goal, list the activities you intend to complete in order to achieve that goal. It’s ok if this list changes over time as long as you think you are still making progress towards achieving your goal. 
  • Include a brief description of how you will evaluate your progress on these goals. 
    • How will you know if you’re successful? 
    • What data or observations will you use to check your progress? 
    • Noting these measures in your plan and regularly reviewing them can help keep the library on track towards achieving your goals. 
  • Finally, include the names of the strategic planning committee members and the trustees who will approve the final draft.