Columbus Metropolitan Library

This Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap to inspire reading, connect people, and expand opportunities, ultimately empowering every individual to strengthen the community. The plan is built upon a framework encompassing core values and strategic focus areas, including Lifelong Learning, Community Connection, and Local Stories. It also emphasizes internal areas such as strengthening operations, cultivating strategic partnerships, and fostering staff innovation, with the aim of advancing equitable access to resources, experiences, and cultural enrichment throughout central Ohio.

This document outlines Phase II of the CML Diversity & Inclusion Program, focusing on strategic goals for diversity in construction contracts and workforce participation. Key objectives include awarding 20% of contracts to MBE/WBE owned businesses, achieving 10% minority workforce participation, and 6.9% female workforce participation. The program details community engagement activities and presents data for the period of 2020-2025 across various construction projects.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library's strategic direction is guided by its vision of "A thriving community where wisdom prevails" and its purpose to inspire reading, share resources, and connect people. The organization focuses on delivering world-class service through exceptional staff, adapting to the digital age, and evolving services to meet customer needs. Key priorities include fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, valuing diverse cultures and experiences, and engaging in strong partnerships with school districts and community leaders to transition from traditional library outputs to improving community-based outcomes.

This document outlines the Columbus Metropolitan Library's Phase II Outreach and Inclusion Initiative, focusing on maximizing inclusion throughout all stages of contracting for its aspirational building plan. Key priorities include addressing structural barriers to participation for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), with specific goals to meet and exceed state participation targets (6.9% for women, 10% for minorities, and an aspirational 20% collectively). Strategies involve promoting diversity in design firms, flexible prequalification, strategic bid packaging, careful contractor selection, prompt payment, and information sessions. The plan aims to ensure meaningful business involvement, foster job creation, reflect regional diversity, and contribute to economic development.

The Columbus Library's Long-Term Plan establishes its purpose to inspire reading, share resources, and connect people, guided by core values of respect, integrity, and inspiration. The plan envisions a thriving community where wisdom prevails, focusing on strategic investments to foster young minds, develop life skills, and anticipate customer needs, aiming for outcomes such as preparedness for life and work. Internally, it prioritizes growing its team, engaging community partners, and strengthening operations to achieve maximum potential, impact, and effectiveness.