2022
ANNUAL STRATEGIC PLAN
Approved 12/14/2021
2 Kitsap Regional Library
Pictured: 2021 One Book, One Community Story Night at the Historic Roxy Theatre, Bremerton.
Table of Contents 1
An Agile Plan
2
Mission & Values
3
Areas of Impact & Strategic Goals
5
Library Initiatives
7
2022 Operational Goals
8
Sustainable Stewardship
The 2022 Strategic Plan is the Library’s North Star. It speaks to how we are accomplishing our mission every day, while also providing a filter for future goals and ideas. It is the intention of this plan to ensure that every person who serves at Kitsap Regional Library can clearly see the purpose and value of the contributions they make daily and share this purpose with our community.
an agile plan Listen. Evaluate. Iterate.
Strategic Goals, Library Initiatives & Operational Goals
To ensure the mission and services of Kitsap Regional Library meet the needs of the community it serves, the Library practices an agile strategic planning process. We continuously listen and evaluate, then iterates on what we are learning to align library services with the needs of our Kitsap community. This process requires us to remain open to new opportunities and not be afraid of changing course–or stopping completely– when something no longer makes sense. It requires us to challenge our assumptions and remain flexible.
Current services and short and long-term goals come together to form our strategy; this is what we are doing to realize our mission. Strategic Goals—identified within each Area of Impact—are more aspirational, long-term goals to be accomplished in three to 10+ years. They provide direction for Operational Goals. Library Initiatives are ongoing, mission-driven efforts that require a significant commitment organizationwide. They aim to create a substantial, long-term impact across our entire community.
Each part of this plan guides the next and moves us from aspirational long-term ideas to measurable, achievable goals.
Mission & Values The Library’s purpose lives in our mission and three statements communicating a commitment to equity, a culture of we and the user experience. Together with our values, they serve as a source of inspiration and make up the why of our organization. These are the driving force behind our work.
Operational Goals do not define everything we do, but a few highly focused goals. These goals are specific and measurable and are set to be accomplished in one to three years. The Library makes a commitment to align maximum resources and effort towards achieving these goals; building a pathway for the success of our Strategic Goals. Projects and milestones support Operational Goals.
Areas of Impact Four Areas of Impact help capture the vision. These areas define our work and how we Aspirational achieve the Library mission daily, while also providing a filter for future goals and ideas. They are adaptable enough to adjust to what we are learning, yet rigid enough to hold us accountable. 10+ Years Everything we do should fit in one, or all, of these areas.
why how what
Mission & Values
Areas of Impact
Strategic Goals
Library Initiatives 1-3 Years
Achievable
1 Kitsap Regional Library
Operational Goals
mission & values Library Mission “Inspiring our community to dream more, learn more, do more and be more.” Equity, a culture of we and the user experience are essential to accomplishing our mission:
Equity We are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to flourish. We recognize that we don’t all start from the same place; systemic barriers to education and opportunity exist. We will strive to remove barriers and continually align our policies, practices and resources to create the best possible opportunity for all people to grow, contribute and thrive.
Culture of We We are better together. We will build meaningful relationships, continually seeking out diverse perspectives and ideas and work collectively to understand the needs and aspirations of all of our citizens. Our community’s diversity will be reflected in our staff and spaces, the services we offer and the collections we create.
User Experience We are dedicated to creating experiences that are accessible, credible and valuable, in environments where every person can feel welcome, safe and respected. We recognize that each individual’s needs are unique and we will always strive to deliver excellence to the individual while balancing our responsibility to serve our whole community.
Library Values Be relentlessly resourceful. Be fun, fresh and fearless. Inspire and be inspired. Never stop learning. Deliver excellence. Build connections. Anyone can lead. Open to all.
An Overview To meet the needs of the more than 272,000 people who reside in Kitsap County, Kitsap Regional Library maintains nine locations, a library collection of more than 420,000 physical and digital items, outreach services and a digital library at KRL.org. Located between Seattle, the Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, Kitsap County covers most of the Kitsap Peninsula. It connects to many of its neighboring counties through a system of ferries and is home to two naval bases, Naval Base Kitsap and Trident Naval Base, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and two Native American tribes, the Suquamish Tribe and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. The county has some of the most to least affluent areas in Washington state, creating a unique mix of needs when considering library services for the whole county and each individual community. The Library is a community hub for Kitsap residents. It is a place to read, meet and collaborate and a resource for small businesses. For youth, it provides afterschool activities, early job skill development and invaluable support for teachers and parents. The Library offers a robust physical and digital collection of books, audiobooks, music, movies and online databases, as well as access to personalized, oneon-one services—from individualized reference appointments to home delivery service for more than 200 homebound individuals. The Library also offers a wide variety of educational classes, workshops, community forums, author visits and musical performances. Before the impact of the pandemic in March of 2020, the Library circulated approximately 2.5 million items per year. It was also typical to see more than 1 million visits to the Library annually. And in 2020, the Library saw almost 700,000 visits to its website and more than 600,000 visits to the Library’s catalog.
2022 Annual Strategic Plan 12/8/21-JA 2
areas of impact & strategic goals Information & Inclusion
Community Vibrancy
Kitsap Regional Library is a place where you belong. We are the center for community connection, a safe and welcoming gathering place where people come as individuals and collaborators to dream, learn, do and thrive.
Kitsap Regional Library is a cornerstone of our communities, an anchor for economic development and civic engagement and a catalyst for positive change.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE
y Providing resources and support for career readiness and workforce development.
y Providing spaces and collections—physical and digital—that are inclusive, accessible and open to all. y Identifying and removing barriers to assure free, equitable and confidential access to resources and services. y Offering a full range of information resources to meet the diverse educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs of our community. y Providing information coaches, mentors and guides to assist in information navigation, helping make sense of it all.
Third-graders participate in To the Library.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE
y Supporting local business development with resources and assistance for entrepreneurs and nonprofits. y Supporting an active, informed citizenship. y Being a connector and convener and bringing together community and partners around critical topics. y Gathering and sharing local community knowledge. y Collaborating with our economic, civic, social and cultural institutions to achieve collective impact through interconnected services.
2021 One Book, One Community Story Night.
Information & Inclusion Strategic Goals
Community Vibrancy Strategic Goals
1. Our spaces—physical and digital—are inclusive and reflect our community, creating welcoming, open and accessible experiences for all. 2020
1. We have an informed citizenry and people are empowered to be agents of change, working together on community challenges. 2020
2. Our ability to provide equitable access to information and services is informed by community voice, creating a deep understanding of the unique needs of the diverse audiences that make up Kitsap. 2020
2. We are the gateway for community services. Our strategic partnerships connect patrons with relevant, complementary services, amplifying the impact of our work and the work of our partners. 2020 3. We are an anchor for economic vitality, spurring and supporting area revitalization and creating opportunities and connections that allow people to live and work here. 2020
3 Kitsap Regional Library
Four Areas of Impact help capture the vision. These areas define our work and how we achieve the Library mission daily while also providing a filter for future goals and ideas. They are adaptable enough to adjust to what we are learning, yet rigid enough to hold us accountable. Everything we do should fit in one, or all, of these areas. Strategic Goals—identified within each Area of Impact—are more aspirational, long-term goals to be accomplished in three to 10+ years. They provide direction for Operational Goals.
Lifelong Learning
Stewardship
Kitsap Regional Library connects people and ideas, fostering curiosity and personal productivity at every age.
Entrusted to us by our community, we are stewards of the spaces, collections and ideas that make up Kitsap Regional Library and the culture we create to realize its mission.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE y Inspiring interest-based learning and self-improvement, opening our community up to new ideas. y Actively partnering with educators and caregivers to prepare children for kindergarten success through early literacy learning opportunities. y Bridging the gap in K-12 education and developing critical 21st-century skills with free afterschool and STEM learning opportunities. y Creating equitable opportunities for individuals to build competency in digital, health, financial and information literacy. y Collaborating with our educational institutions to achieve collective impact through interconnected services.
Reptile Man, Summer Learning programming.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE y Sustainably developing and preserving buildings, resources and budgets to meet our current needs and the needs of future generations. y Communicating what we offer and how resources are managed with clarity, honesty and transparency. y Fostering a workplace of learning, responsibility, productivity and respect and supporting the sharing of ideas and information. y Providing employees with the support, direction and resources which allow them to accomplish the responsibilities of their jobs and reach their goals.
Manchester Friends of the Library Salmon Bake.
Lifelong Learning Strategic Goals
Stewardship Strategic Goals
1. As leaders in supporting and celebrating informal, interest-based learning, the Library is the number one place in Kitsap people think of when they want to learn something new. 2020
1. Our community understands the fundamental value of the Library and what it contributes and individuals are informed of what is available for them personally. 2020
2. We are a community leader in closing the digital divide, providing access to quality, current technology and digital literacy education. 2020
2. We are the employer of choice in Kitsap with a rewarding, inclusive workplace environment that represents the communities we serve and attracts and retains superior employees. 2020 3. Our financial stability allows us to adapt to changing needs while also planning for the long-term development and growth of our resources to support future generations. 2020 2022 Annual Strategic Plan 12/8/21-JA 4
library initiatives Library Collection
Summer Learning
Sylvan Way branch collection.
The library collection assures free, accurate, equitable and confidential access to information for the Kitsap community. Through a collection of books, print, music, movies and research and educational tools—offered digitally and in our branches—Kitsap Regional Library provides an extensive range of information resources expertly selected to meet the varied educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs of the Kitsap community. Created to be inclusive, actively used and relevant, the collection reflects our diverse communities, views and expressions and offers a wide selection of materials so that individuals can examine multiple sides of an issue and make informed decisions.
Library Collection Goals y Provide for the educational, informational and recreational needs of our community through our physical and digital collections and interlibrary loans.
2020 Summer Learning participants.
Research has proven the importance of meaningful learning in the summer so that students don’t lose academic ground when they go back to school in the fall. Studies have also proven the value of hands-on learning, which intentionally builds upon youth interests and ideas. Avoiding the “summer slide” is a critical component for educational success. Libraries have a long-held tradition of offering programs to inspire kids and teens to keep reading through the summer. Kitsap Regional Library expanded on this tradition in 2015, when it invited adults to participate and encouraged all participants to create and celebrate personal learning goals. Summer Learning offers exciting classes, engaging events and tools that promote reading and learning for kids, teens and adults so that the entire family is engaged, ensuring each child’s success. Summer Learning is made possible largely through support from Kitsap Regional Library Foundation and Friends of the Library organizations.
y Offer materials for people of all ages, backgrounds and opinions so that a variety of viewpoints are represented.
Summer Learning Goals
y Continually evaluate our materials to maintain a viable and useful collection.
y Celebrate reading.
5 Kitsap Regional Library
y Support and celebrate interest-based learning. y Partner strategically to increase opportunity and impact.
Library Initiatives are ongoing, mission-driven efforts that require a significant commitment organization-wide. They aim to create a substantial, long-term impact across our entire community.
To the Library
Port Orchard branch To the Library program.
Third grade is a critical milestone in a child’s education. At this age, developing agency and learning to read proficiently is imperative to a student’s future success. The To the Library program supports our school partners in empowering Kitsap kids to reach this milestone. Through To the Library, third-graders visit their local library for a fun-filled day, complete with stories and learning activities, lunch with a librarian and a library tour. Each student then goes home with a goody bag and a book—and, for many of these students, their first library card. Since its inception in 2007, To the Library has been a collaboration between Kitsap schools, numerous community organizations and the Library and has grown to become a rite of passage for local third-graders. It is a perfectly timed opportunity to model enjoyment of reading for students while introducing families to a network of caring adults and resources. To the Library is made possible in large part through support from Kitsap Regional Library Foundation and Kiwanis Clubs of Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo and South Kitsap.
To the Library Goals y Engage the community to support student success. y Establishing meaningful relationships between library staff and teachers, students and families. y Build awareness of and excitement for Library services, spaces and resources.
One Book, One Community
2021 One Book, One Community Story Night.
Bringing people together through the power of words. Building community. Developing an open platform to discuss hard issues. Starting in 2008, One Book, One Community is an annual reading program meant to inspire civic dialogue by inviting the community to connect through a shared reading and learning experience. One Book, One Community is a partnership with the Kitsap community. Considering community feedback, current trends and emerging needs, books are carefully selected for the themes they offer and the potential conversations they can spark. The Library and partnering organizations offer a variety of activities, events and resources to engage the Kitsap community in impactful discussions, increasing awareness and creating openness to better understand and connect with each other. Children and teens participate in the conversation through age-appropriate events and books selected to introduce the same themes. One Book, One Community is made possible largely through support from Kitsap Regional Library Foundation.
One Book, One Community Goals y Build community across diverse audiences and institutions. y Facilitate shared reading and learning experiences. y Inspire civic dialogue, community conversation, reflection and action.
2022 Annual Strategic Plan Final 12/8/21-JA 6
2022 operational goals Operational Goals do not define everything we do, but a few highly focused goals. These goals are specific and measurable and are set to be accomplished in one to three years. The Library makes a commitment to align maximum resources and effort towards achieving these goals; building a pathway for the success of our Strategic Goals. Projects and milestones support Operational Goals.
4. Support a culture of we in the workplace | 2020 SUPPORTING PROJECTS 4•1 Improve internal communication to better support sharing ideas and increase transparency and alignment. 2020
1. Update the online user experience | 2020
4•2 Partner with our union to build a strong, productive and cooperative relationship, identifying needs and creating goals together. 2020
SUPPORTING PROJECTS
4•3 Re-establish regular training opportunities which were impacted by the pandemic response. 2022
1•1 Redesign KRL.org to increase ease of use and accessibility, creating a more reliable experience for patrons and staff. 2020 1•2 Update public computer reservation, print management and payment system and Wi-Fi printing. 2020 1•3 Evaluate whether to retain the current library catalog or change to another library management system. 2021
2. Improve and preserve Library facilities | 2020 SUPPORTING PROJECTS 2•1 Partner with Central Kitsap School District to complete and open the new Silverdale branch. 2020 2•2 Complete critical structural updates—replace the roof; major electrical systems; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system and skylights—at the Sylvan Way branch. 2021 2•3 Install modern access controls at the Sylvan Way and Poulsbo branches. 2022 2•4 Create a furniture inventory and use life cycle plan. 2022 2•5 Update wayfinding in all branches to be more inclusive of the diversity of our community. 2022
3. Align services with identified community needs | 2020 SUPPORTING PROJECTS 3•1 Partnering with North Kitsap School District to launch Student Card Accounts for students. 2020 3•2 Reimagine and relaunch the Community Learning Internship program for Kitsap youth. 2021 3•3 Restore evening and Sunday hours. 2022 3•4 Re-establish the volunteer program. 2022 3•5 Expand the meeting room reservation system to more branches. 2022 7 Kitsap Regional Library
5. Intentionally build a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion | 2021 SUPPORTING PROJECTS 5•1 Develop a realistic, sustainable Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan, that is aspirational and operational. 2021 5•2 Ensure Library policies align with goals of diversity, equity and inclusion. 2021 5•3 Evaluate and employ tools with the potential to support creating a more diverse and inclusive collection. 2022 5•4 Build internal capacity to foster an anti-racist, equitable environment where differences are respected and valued and individuals experience a sense of belonging. 2022
6. Collaborating with supporting partners | ongoing Kitsap Regional Library partners with its building owners, Friends of the Library organizations and the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation to achieve more for our community than we can accomplish with public funding alone. BUILDING OWNERS & FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 6•1 Review and update each building owner’s memorandum of understanding. 2021 6•2 Explore partnering with the city of Port Orchard and Rice Fergus Miller in the South Kitsap Community Events Centers’ design and development, which includes a new Port Orchard branch. 2021 6•3 Partner with Manchester Friend of the Library to design and open their newly added building space. 2021 KITSAP REGIONAL LIBRARY FOUNDATION 6•4 Complete the Silverdale Capital Campaign. 2020 6•5 Understand feasibility of a new Port Orchard branch and the Foundation’s role. 2021 6•6 Begin developing an endowment funding strategy to support a predictable and ongoing source of annual income for the Library. 2021
sustainable stewardship Annual Revenue
Library Funding The Library is a junior taxing district and depends on approximately $16 million in annual property tax revenue to provide over 95% of its operating budget. For 2022, an estimated tax rate of $0.32 per thousand dollars of assessed property value generates this revenue. This funding is limited by law to a 1% annual increase and is capped at $0.50 per thousand dollars. When other revenue sources are factored, the Library’s revenue growth since 2018 has been approximately 2.6% annually. With continually rising staffing and materials costs, this annual increase does not keep pace with average growth. The Library must practice a continued cycle of understanding the needs of its facilities, services and staff, five to 20 years in the future, and developing plans and budgets that support these needs. Regularly levying for new dollars is an essential part of planning. This practice creates sustainable funding, allowing the Library to consistently support the level of service offered and expected by our Kitsap communities.
Budget Process The Library budget is presented annually in two parts. The Operating Budget is adopted in December and represents the following year’s projected revenue. It is a balance sheet of incoming revenue and the ongoing costs of running the Library. The Capital Budget, adopted in January, identifies significant needs which have a one-time cost. Projects in the Capital Budget are often anticipated and planned several years ahead, allowing the Library time to consider funding carefully. Capital projects address critical maintenance to buildings and regular updates to spaces, furnishing and technology, ensuring responsible stewardship of the spaces the Library has been entrusted with.
Additionally, the Library maintains two reserve funds. By policy, the Operating Reserve Fund is maintained at 10-15% of the Operating Budget and provides a source of emergency funding. The Capital Reserve Fund allows the Library to plan and fund capital projects.
Levy History In 2017, the Library communicated a need for increased funding to maintain current service levels, provide critical updates to facilities, improve collections and staff wages and restore Sunday hours and staffing levels lost in previous years due to budget constraints. The passage of this levy authorized a one-time raise of the Library’s regular property tax levy by $0.08 per thousand dollars of assessed value, adding approximately $3.43 million to the Library’s 2018 Operating Budget. In 2018, this additional funding allowed for increased hours for part-time staff, needed to support hour increases; hiring additional staff in critical positions; increased investment in collections and youth programs and materials and a 2% cost-of-living increase for all staff. The Library also partnered with Cabot Dow Associates to conduct a compensation study to ensure wages were equitably and responsibly addressed. This study used neighboring library systems similar in population and budget sizes, such as Tacoma Public Library and Whatcom County Library, along with other local public organizations, such as Kitsap County and the Central Kitsap School District, to determine a fair pay structure for Library staff. On January 1, 2019, implementation of the study findings increased all staff wages by an average of 6.47%, while also raising annual salary step increases from 2% to 3%. Beyond the implementation, cost-of-living increases and salary step increases have been provided annually. Staffing costs currently account for 80% of the Operating Budget.
2022 Operating Budget | $16,992,419
2022 Annual Strategic Plan Final 12/8/21-JA 8
2022 Annual Strategic Plan Data Sources & Contributors y Kitsap Regional Library Staff
y KEDA Economic Profile
y Kitsap Regional Library Board of Trustees
y Employment Security Department Kitsap Profile
y Kitsap Regional Library Foundation
y 2018 Data USA Summary of Kitsap
y Kitsap Regional Library Building Owners
y 2020 KCR Community Assessment
y Friends of the Library Organizations
y 2019 KPHD Public Health Indicators
y Kitsap Regional Library Reports:
y 2017 KPHD Kitsap County Health Disparity Report
2021 Community Survey 2020, 2021 Strategic Plan 2017 Levy Campaign Data 2016 Community Assessment 2015-2021 Statistical Data
y 2020 OESD 114 Comprehensive Community Assessment y US Census Bureau Data y Puget Sound Regional Council Regional Data Profile
With all of us collaborating, creating and focusing on an ever-improving plan for our future, we are doing the best work possible to realize the Library’s mission.