Sample Action Plan

Goal

The ___________ library will be transformed into a 21st century library with more and more comfortable seating, more computers, a teen space, larger children’s room, quiet area and meeting room.

Objectives

• Develop community awareness and support for library remodeling and expansion.
• Encourage, collect and incorporate community input in the planning and design.
• Secure funding.

Estimated costs

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Timetable/Calendar

June

• Present state of library report and recommendations to key governing and community groups.
  (Director, Library Board President)
• Research and develop potential funding strategies, e.g. referendum, private fundraising, grants.
• Network with key business and community leaders to educate them and solicit their advice and support. (Director, Library Board Members)
• Develop/expand a list of organizations that should regularly receive information about the project, including schools, churches, business groups, community groups, clubs and others.
  (Publicity Committee)
• Develop a strategy for educating community organizations, e.g., speaker’s bureau.
  (Publicity Committee)

July-Aug.

• Recruit campaign chair and organizing committee.
  (Director, Library Board)
• Name committee chairs: Building, Finance, Publicity, Referenda
  (Campaign Chair)
• Develop communication/media plan with target audiences and strategies for building public awareness and support.
  (Publicity Committee)
• Prepare and distribute message sheet to staff, board, Friends and key supporters.
  (Publicity Committee, Director)
• Prepare news release, fact sheets and other educational materials for press and the public.
  (Publicity Committee, Director)
• Research grants and potential for private fundraising.
  (Finance Committee, Director)
• Develop strategy for collecting and incorporating community input into the planning and design process.
  (Building Committee)
• Seek commitments of in-kind contribution from construction & supply firms to help lower costs.
  (Building and Finance Committees)
• Identify network of well-connected and supportive members of the community, including Friends of the Library and other “ambassadors” in spreading the word, e.g. speaking to groups they belong to, soliciting funds, hosting coffees, informal word of mouth.

Sept. – Dec.

• Begin media campaign.
  (Publicity Committee)
• Seek public input on building renovation input via questionnaire in the library.
  (Building Committee)
• Do presentations to community groups. Focus on benefits. Ask what would they like to see in a remodeled/expanded facility.
  (Building Committee)
• Hold a “Town Hall” meeting to present the library’s plans and get input.
  (Library Board, Building Committee, other concerned organizations)
• Take key leaders in a van to a library that has successfully remodeled so they can see the difference for themselves.
  (Director, Campaign Chair)
• Develop and implement strategy for securing endorsement of referendum from County/Council board and other key groups.
  (Referendum Committee)
• Apply for grants.
  (Director, Finance Committee)
• Finalize plans for renovation/expansion.
  (Library Board)
• Seek endorsement from local newspaper(s).
  (Campaign Chair, Director, Board President)

Jan.-Feb.

• Solicit necessary endorsements to place referenda on May ballot.
  (Campaign Chair)
• Register citizens group to receive and spend campaign contributions.
  (Referenda Committee)
• Develop and implement referenda campaign strategy, including an easy-to-remember key message/slogan, outreach to community groups and get-out-the-vote drive.
  (Publicity and Referenda Committees)
• Prepare campaign materials, e.g. fact sheets, postcards, flyers, buttons.
  (Publicity Committee)

March-April

• Conduct voter outreach, e.g. presentations to community groups, neighborhood coffees, homeschool parents and others who benefit directly from the library.
  (Campaign Chair, Director, Ambassadors)
• Meet with and seek endorsements from local newspaper and key community groups.
  (Director, Library Board President, Campaign chair)

May

• Implement get out the vote strategies, e.g., telephone tree, door-to-door. Station volunteers to handout materials at polls. Provide rides to polls/child care.
  (Referenda Committee)

June

• Celebrate victory. Hang banners/pass out bookmarks/take out an ad thanking voters for their support.
• Win or lose—thank your supporters.
• Make notes of what worked/what didn’t. Keep a file of all relevant documents.

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