Mission

The Monroe Public Library is a welcoming place for generations of lifelong learners to gather and grow. We are dedicated to enriching our community and enhancing the lives of its people through visionary service and a responsive eye toward the future.

Core Values

  • Accessibility
  • Diversity
  • Lifelong learning
  • Responsiveness
  • Empowerment
  • Growth
  • Care for the environment
  • Fiscal responsibility
Download the Strategic Plan here (PDF).

Strategic Plan 2021-2024: Goals & Actions

Goal 1: Creating Welcoming Spaces
ACTION 1: Monroe Public Library will explore changes that could make the library a more inviting space for different subsets of the community.

ACTION 2: Monroe Public Library will explore the benefits of the concierge arrangement to welcome all community members.

Background Information: The concierge arrangement was implemented when reopening during the pandemic. This arrangement, a staffed desk at the facility entrance, has created a space to communicate with patrons of all ages while helping to manage noise levels.

ACTION 3: Monroe Public Library will consider demand for program and event spaces when making facility changes.

ACTION 4: Monroe Public Library will consider noise levels when making policies and facility  changes.

Background Information: It can be a challenge for all areas of the library to agree on noise levels. 

ACTION 5: Monroe Public Library will explore environmentally sound options in daily operations as well as in future renovations and upgrades.
Possible Implementations:
  • Moderate multigenerational conversations regarding the creation of welcoming spaces
  • Consider a long-term solution for a concierge or welcome desk
  • Explore parts of upcoming facility renovations
Goal 2: Exploring Communications and Marketing
ACTION 1: Monroe Public Library will revise the marketing and communications plan with additional information, including relevant budgetary decisions.

ACTION 2: Monroe Public Library will explore additional opportunities for promotion and communication about everything the library has to offer.
Possible Implementations:
  • Communicate with different user groups within the library
  • Create open house events
  • Deepen connections with community organizations
  • Publicize and promote current community connections
  • Make aspects of the decision making process more available to the public
  • Explore the actions of other libraries
Goal 3: Ensuring Access to Services 
ACTION 1: Monroe Public Library will explore modifying open hours.

Background Information: The library maintains a door counter and takes other statistics to inform decisions about such matters.

ACTION 2: Monroe Public Library will explore expanding checkout options, such as self-check, a second floor checkout location, and after-hours lockers.

ACTION 3: Monroe Public Library will explore the creation of a dropoff site.

Background Information: A separate location could improve connections with parts of the community who live in other neighborhoods, work alternative shifts, or prefer a car-accessible dropoff method.

ACTION 4: Monroe Public Library will continue curbside pickup and homebound delivery services.

Background Information: Both options were popularized and refined during the pandemic to great success.
Possible Implementations:
  • Find alternate library locations or pop-up locations
  • Communicate with or deliver to specific businesses or other entities
  • Explore city-wide wifi options
  • Implement RFID to create other checkout possibilities
Goal 4: Addressing Demand of Materials and Diversity of the Collection
ACTION 1: Monroe Public Library will explore ways to make recent materials more available to patrons, such as with the Most Wanted collection.

Background Information: As part of a library system with a shared collection, there may be a perception that up-to-date materials are not as readily available to Monroe patrons. The Most Wanted Collection provides new, in-demand materials without a wait list specifically to patrons of this library.

ACTION 2: Monroe Public Library will explore increased availability of digital materials.

Background Information: There is little local control over digital materials through our statewide consortium, and any budget increase would provide materials that are shared among the system.
Possible Implementations: 
  • ​Increase education about holds list features and functions
  • Communicate materials diversity efforts to the community
  • Explore complementary digital services
Goal 5: Providing Access to Programs and Events
​ACTION 1: Monroe Public Library will study program demand through documentation.

ACTION 2: Monroe Public Library will explore recording programs to offer asynchronous access.

Background Information: Online storytime and other recorded events were well-received during the pandemic. Staff must consider copyright and distribution factors when recording programs.

ACTION 3: Monroe Public Library will explore expanding programming to different themes, types, and options.

ACTION 4: Monroe Public Library will explore taking donations for program materials.

Background Information: Cost of materials can be a barrier for library staff to implement certain events.
Possible Implementations:
  • Partner with community organizations to consider demand and provide program opportunities
  • Create a mentorship program to connect members of the community with common interests
Goal 6: Operating in a Fiscally Responsible Manner
ACTION 1: Current and future fundraising efforts of the Monroe Public Library will target the goals of the strategic plan.

ACTION 2: Monroe Public Library will continue to monitor processes and assess vendors to ensure fiscally responsible operations.

ACTION 3: Monroe Public Library will regularly assess the possibilities of restructuring or eliminating fines.