Our Organization

PALINET Strategic Plan 2005-2008

Opportunities and Challenges

In planning for the future, PALINET and its members are cognizant of these environmental trends that create both challenges and opportunities:

• New technological developments require PALINET to keep apace of change in order to help members stay innovative.
• The unpredictable economic environment challenges PALINET to help members reduce costs while PALINET maintains its own financial health.
• Both technology and budget constraints create staffing challenges for members; and PALINET has an important role to play in supporting staff development.
• The trend toward self-service among library users prompts PALINET to look at different ways to help members serve their users and new ways for members to access PALINET's services.
• Libraries and PALINET exist in a world of increased customer choice and proliferation of organizations, so PALINET must avoid unnecessary duplication of services and seek collaboration where members will benefit from such efforts.

What the board and staff see as PALINET's key strengths are what members value most. PALINET will build on these strengths:

• A large and diverse membership with cooperative buying power
• A strong educational program
• A variety of products and services
• An expert and responsive staff who demonstrate PALINET is "member-friendly"

PALINET will strengthen its performance in these areas:

• Reacting quickly to change and the introduction of new services
• Communicating effectively with members about PALINET's distinctive programs and services
• Communicating the value members receive through PALINET participation
• Addressing the needs of the diverse communities within the membership

PALINET's Strategic Planning Process

PALINET began a strategic planning process in the fall of 2003, as it was coming to the close of its 2000-2004 strategic plan. In addition to Board and Staff participation through a number of planning sessions, PALINET sought ideas and involvement from members in all five states and from a wide variety of types and sizes of organizations through focus groups and an online member survey. Interviews were also conducted with industry leaders and executives of comparable organizations. A steering committee with members from Board and Staff, with the assistance of a consultant, helped plan and implement much of the process and developed the draft of the plan. After the Board's initial approval, the Members will have the opportunity to review and comment on the plan. The Board will take final action on the plan in December 2004.

The strategic plan is made operational through an annual implementation plan with specific tactical objectives. As the implementation plan is developed every year, the Strategic Plan is reviewed by PALINET Board and Staff.

Mission

PALINET furthers the success of libraries and cultural organizations in serving the evolving needs of their communities by:

• Leveraging the power of collaboration and technology;
• Delivering high quality continuing education;
• Guiding members' discovery of innovative and cost-effective solutions, and;
• Providing leadership that enables members to navigate the diverse information landscape.

Vision

PALINET is the leader in bringing together its members for mutual benefit, in identifying and introducing innovative programs and services, and in promoting collaboration among state, regional, and national organizations.

Principles

We believe libraries and cultural organizations play a vital role in contributing to a free and informed society, and we support efforts to raise the visibility of these organizations.

As a non-profit membership organization providing mission-critical support for the success of its members, we will demonstrate the following principles:

Focus on members - understanding the needs of members and what they are seeking to accomplish for their users and assisting members to meet those needs.

Commitment to quality - finding innovative ways to meet and exceed customer expectations.

Customer service - providing service that is timely, accurate and courteous.

Effective communication - helping members understand how PALINET can meet their needs and what value they receive from their membership.

Accessibility - bringing services closer to the members.

Ease of use - harnessing technology to permit members and their constituents to receive the benefits technology can offer.

Agility - responding quickly and flexibly to new opportunities.

Fiscal responsibility - building a secure financial base through varied sources of income.

GOALS

Goal I. Enhance services and strengthen ties to members

Strategies:

• Identify new services and ventures.
• Strengthen relationships with business partners to elevate PALINET's status as a priority customer.
• Take a leadership role in working with business partners to secure quality products while decreasing members' costs and time.
• Provide information on current trends, and connections to resources and expertise.
• Use technology to reach out to members and reduce costs.
• Communicate the value of membership, gather member input, and educate members about PALINET's services.
• Tailor programs to appeal to different member groups.

Goal II. Enhance the development of staff in member organizations

Strategies:

• Develop programs to keep staff skills current and efficient.
• Design communications and programs to promote the value of embracing the rapid change of the information environment.
• Provide a broad range of educational offerings with programs targeted to different positions and library specialties.
• Increase access to training at locations throughout the region and via distance learning technologies.
• Collaborate with other groups by co-sponsoring programs.

Goal III. Provide leadership in fostering collaboration

Strategies:

Among members

• Promote innovation by identifying and sharing best practices among members.
• Create and facilitate physical and virtual communities of interest.
• Increase virtual services and meetings.

With state, regional, and national organizations

• Pioneer establishment of collaborative projects.
• Establish partnerships and ventures that bring substantial benefit to members.
• Broaden access to services by partnering with consortia, state libraries, and related groups.
• Develop services for consortia, state libraries, and related groups.

Goal IV. Enhance position as a leading technology advisor

Strategies:

• Facilitate members' adoption and implementation of new technologies.
• Create internal capacity to move quickly in identifying and delivering new services.
• Identify experts and best practices - those who are using cutting edge technology - in order to make the information available to others.

Goal V. Increase awareness of PALINET as a multi-state, multi-type organization and reinforce its strong regional identity

Strategies:

• Increase PALINET's visibility and presence.
• Emphasize the value of PALINET's multi-state character -- its size, scope and mobility.
• Bring members together from different areas by utilizing technology and regional meetings.

The following documents provide the complete text and background information regarding the 2005 - 2008 Strategic Plan:

PALINET Member Survey 2004: Final Report and Survey Instrument
Findings from Focus Groups and Industry Interviews