STRATEGIC PLAN 2024-2028

The William Jeanes Memorial Library and Nicholas and Athena Karabots Center for Learning serves the Township of Whitemarsh in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It has a service population of 19,707 residents and provides service through a single facility. In 2023, the Library celebrated its 90 anniversary and 11 years since the renovation and addition to the library. The Library is a member of the Montgomery County Library and Information Network Consortium (MCLINC). MCLINC is a shared technology platform that manages the Library’s collections and allows users to borrow items from 32 locations and a bookmobile across the county either in person or by having items sent to the local library. The Library has achieved Gold Star status with the Pennsylvania Library Association’s PA Forward program, in recognition of its outstanding service and programs. Circulation and program attendance while disrupted by the pandemic, now exceed 2019 counts.

The William Jeanes Memorial Library is at a significant juncture in its evolution. In addition to serving the public for 90 years, the Library has an active board, a well-respected director, and an engaged staff. With this setting and the support of Whitemarsh Township, the Library is poised to create a vision to provide service for the future in new and innovative ways. To meet this future-focused outlook, the Library undertook an extensive strategic planning process to develop a vision for success. This document is the culmination of that process.  –from the Introduction

Plan approved by the Library Board – October 23, 2024

Planning Committee:
Diane Smith-Hoban, Board President

Cathy Levin, Board Member

Lisa Clancy, Library Director

Karen Wilton, Circulation Manager

Eileen Denton, Youth Services Manager

David Belanger, Library Consultant

WJML Plan One Sheet

William Jeanes Memorial Library
Strategic Plan at-a-Glance

Re-envision library spaces to function for the current and future needs of the community.

• Create the parking needed to sustain and grow the Library’s services.
• Revise the organization and size of the collection to reflect current and future needs.
• Create a library setting conducive to becoming the “third space” for the community.
• Support environmental sustainability through facility design and organizational operations.

Enhance the working relationship between the Library and Whitemarsh Township and other partner organizations.

• Clarify the responsibilities of the Library and the Township related to building upkeep.
• Ensure continued support from the Township to meet the expectations of residents.

Ensure that residents of the Township and library users are informed of the services and resources of the Library.

• Increase marketing to ensure that the public is aware of Library resources and the importance of community financial support.
• Develop outreach activities to connect with non-Library users,primarily adults.
• Expand the percentage of residents owning a library card.
• Create activities that attract people to visit the Library.
• Collaborate with schools to support their education goals and provide awareness of Library programs.

Ensure that the Library has the supplemental funding and an engaged staff to sustain the services and activities expected by the community.

• Maintain a broad range of supplemental fundraising activities to support the Library.
• Support the Friends’ organization’s fundraising activities.
• Nurture the Library’s vibrant and engaged Library staff.