Library Launches “Reimagining” Process

The Sonoma County Library has released its “Reimagining the Library” plan after almost a year of community input that began as a traditional strategic planning process and transformed with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sonoma County Library Director Ann Hammond sees the reimagining process as a next step for the countywide library system. “For the past several years, we focused on expanding hours, hiring staff, purchasing materials, upgrading technology, refreshing library buildings and offering exciting new classes, events and programs,” Hammond said.

In 2019, Hammond began a strategic planning process to promote the library’s upward trajectory. “We wanted to know what innovative library services we could offer Sonoma County,” Hammond said. “But, that was cut short by a worldwide pandemic, compounded by fires, air quality, floods, power outages, high unemployment, civil unrest and widespread anxiety. Our community was suffering.”

Hammond saw an opportunity for the library to reassess how to move forward, and pivoted from strategic planning to reimagining, listening sessions, interviews and surveys. “We targeted audiences not represented in a typical strategic planning process. Library support groups took part, and a survey was sent to teens, our future community leaders,” Hammond said. Organizational leaders who participated represented educators, business leaders, veterans, the BIPOC community, LGBTQIA people, health care providers, disabled advocates and more.

The reimagining process will continue for the next few years, with three areas of initial focus:

• Provide opportunities for all to learn, contribute, interact and participate
• Support community resiliency
• Foster racial equity, social justice and inclusion

“The reimagining plan is a beginning, not an end,” said Hammond. “To be successful and promote lasting change, the library will evaluate and update service models, with flexible planning and budgeting that supports innovation while embracing accountability.”

The library will continue to reach outward to maintain services that address the needs of the people of Sonoma County, and demonstrate the importance of the library to a healthy and thriving community.

To read and download the bilingual “Reimagining the Library” plan, visit sonomalibrary.org/reimagining. To read a paper copy of “Reimagining the Library” visit any branch of the Sonoma County Library.