Connections, people and joy —how Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library sees next 5 years

The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library enjoys a reputation for excellence, including having been named "2016 Library of the Year" by a respected library journal.

But library leaders hope to serve customers even better, and that's reflected in their recently released five-year strategic plan.

That plan calls for the library to offer more chances to learn, explore and connect, said Marie Pyko, the library's CEO.

Survey respondents were very satisfied with the library

Pyko on March 22 provided The Capital-Journal a copy of the 30-page plan, which covers the five-year period from July 1, 2024, through July 1, 2029.

The library last initiated a formal strategic plan in 2009, Pyko said.

The new plan takes steps that include addressing various aspects of community life that have shifted since then, most notably after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

The plan focuses on "connection, learning, space, joy and people," Pyko said.

It calls for the library to continue to pursue the goals outlined in its mission statement of "sparking curiosity and connecting our community through literacy and learning," Pyko said.

Pyko has been employed 33 years at the library, which — under the leadership of retired CEO Gina Millsap — was named as the 2016 Gale/Library Journal “Library of the Year.”

Competition for that distinction is open to any public library in the U.S. and Canada. The honor, which came with a $10,000 cash prize, is “kind of the Academy Awards for libraries,” Millsap said at the time.

Public input was used to create plan

The library's operations are overseen by its board of trustees, which played a key role in creating the new plan, Pyko said.

That plan includes a statement by Shawn Leisinger, chair of that board, saying the library solicited community input, which enabled it to ensure the plan represents the needs and interests of the Topeka and Shawnee County community.

The library worked with Charlottesville, Virginia-based The Ivy Group Ltd. to solicit and acquire feedback from the public, Pyko said.

More than 1,750 people answered a survey asking what they wanted from the library, she said.

The library also hosted nine meetings focusing on that topic.

What did library users say they wanted?

Residents and stakeholders said they were highly satisfied with the library and considered a public library's most important role as being "a source for books and other media."

Still, customers said they want the library to offer more opportunities to learn, explore and connect.

They asked for more dedicated library spaces throughout the community, better access to health care information, diversified entertainment options, a chance to connect with their neighbors and more ways to learn and play.

Meeting participants spoke in particular about "a lack of entertainment options and opportunities for parents and children to practice social skills in Topeka and Shawnee County," the plan said.

What are some areas in which the library hopes to improve?

The report identifies strategic initiatives the library plans to pursue in 30 different topic areas and "key performance indicators" it plans to monitor for each.

The plan calls for the library to expand its physical presence, "with a focus on the feasibility of satellites, kiosks and other service options."

The library plans to find existing buildings in which to open those satellites, Pyko said.

The library offers computer labs in Shawnee County Parks and Recreation community centers, and also a book locker at Oakland Community Center, said Diana Friend, the library's communications and marketing director.

The library also offers 18 Bookmobile stops as well as a site called the "Book Nook" — featuring books and learning game for children — at West Ridge Mall, she said.

Here is what the library is planning in coming years

Some other initiatives outlined in the plan include the following:

• Launching a new "Digital Library" website.

• Offering "story time" gatherings, where books are read to children out on the community, at locations other than the preschools and day care center centers where they're offered now.

• Expanding civil engagement resources and events.

• Expanding the library's digital skills training classes.

• Expanding the marketing of the library's Spanish language collections.

• Conducting a compensation study to determine if the library pays its employees competitive wages.

• Increasing opportunities for library users to stay on top of emerging technological trends.

How is the library governed?

The library, founded in 1870, has been located since 1953 at 1515 S.W. 10th Ave.

Topeka and Shawnee County residents voted in 1992 to create a library district, through which the library receives 8.192 mills annually in property tax revenue.

The library is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees.

Seven members are appointed by Topeka's mayor and confirmed by the Topeka City Council. Three are appointed by the three-person Shawnee County Commission. Each commissioner appoints one library board member.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here's how Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library sees next 5 years