From Strategic Plan to Completed Project: Fulton County Public Library Looks Ahead

When Fulton County Public Library (FCPL) Director Andrea Roe spoke with us previously, her library system was in the middle of a major transformation. A strategic plan developed with ReThinking Libraries (RTL) had helped the library identify priorities for a $2.8 million renovation across all three of its locations. At the time, construction was underway, with the team balancing an ambitious vision against rising construction costs and the realities of working on three buildings at once. 

Now, the work is complete, and Roe and her team are already looking ahead to what comes next. 

FCPL serves a population of about 16,000 in rural Indiana. The county library operates three locations: the main library in Rochester and branches in Fulton and Leiters Ford. 

The renovation projects wrapped up at the branches in October 2025, while the larger Rochester project was completed in April 2026. And while the timeline didn't quite go as planned, Roe says the results were worth the wait. 

A Longer Timeline, But a Better Result 

The original goal was to have all of the work completed by the end of 2025. Instead, the projects continued to stretch into 2026, with the Rochester renovation taking longer than anticipated, with some delays caused by supply issues. 

“They kept pushing it another month,” Roe says. “But I would rather them take longer than rush and not do a good job.” 

In the end, the most important measure was the finished product. “Everything looks great!” she says. 

And the changes are already making a difference in how patrons use the libraries. 

At the Leiters Ford Branch, one of the longstanding problems has been solved: the parking lot no longer floods. The former gravel lot is now paved, making the library easier and safer to access in all kinds of weather. 

At the Fulton Branch, relocating the entrance and circulation desk has worked particularly well. The new foyer creates a more functional entrance while addressing the accessibility and safety concerns identified during the planning process. Automatic doors were installed at the renovated locations, and patrons have been quick to notice the difference. 

“Everyone loves the automatic doors,” Roe says. “It’s been a huge improvement.” 

Making Space for How People Use the Library 

Some of the most successful changes at Rochester weren't simply about making the building look newer. They were about rethinking how the space could support the way people actually use the library. 

The teen area was moved closer to the adult area, creating a more connected and visible space. A new study room, with three or four tables, gives teens a place to study, work, or simply spend time at the library. 

The response has been strong. The study rooms are getting a lot of use, and the new teen area has been one of the changes Roe is particularly pleased with. 

The renovation also created a full makerspace, making something that had previously been tucked away much more visible and accessible to patrons. 

“The makerspace has been a huge hit,” Roe says. 

That visibility matters. A service can't become a community resource if people don't know it exists. 

Less Collection, More Access 

One of the more significant and potentially difficult changes at Rochester involved the library's collection. 

The renovation plan called for lowering the height of the shelving. The change improved accessibility and sight lines for staff, but it also meant the library had to weed a substantial portion of its collection. 

For a library, reducing the size of the collection can sometimes feel counterintuitive. More books can seem like more value for patrons. But Roe found that the experience reinforced an important lesson: bigger isn't always better. 

“We had a very, very large collection that needed to be weeded,” she explains. Much of what was removed simply wasn't circulating. 

And patrons who initially might assume that a larger collection is preferable may find that too many choices can actually make it harder to find something to read. 

The library also has an important advantage: its membership in the Evergreen Indiana consortium. With 138 participating libraries, patrons can request materials from other libraries when something isn't available locally. 

That makes it possible for FCPL to maintain a more manageable, useful collection without limiting access to materials. 

Listening to the Community Again 

With the renovations complete, the library is beginning to think about what it learned from the process and what it might do differently next time. 

One area where feedback has been mixed is the decision to replace carpeting with hard floors. Roe says the new flooring feels more sanitary, but the lack of carpeting also means there is less sound absorption in the buildings. 

That's exactly the kind of issue that can be difficult to anticipate during a planning process. A change that makes sense from one perspective can have an unexpected impact on the experience of being in the space. 

Rather than treating the renovation as the end of the planning process, FCPL is using it as an opportunity to ask more questions. 

The library is beginning a new strategic planning process with RTL this month. Community feedback will be an important part of that work, giving the library an opportunity to gather more systematic input about what patrons think of the renovated spaces and how they are using them. 

What's Next for FCPL? 

For Roe, returning to strategic planning with RTL feels like a natural next step. 

The library had a positive experience working with the firm, and the staff and board were involved throughout the previous planning process. More importantly, a significant portion of the previous strategic plan was accomplished, including the major facilities project that grew out of it. 

“We really liked working with RTL,” Roe says. “It made sense to continue that relationship and utilize their experience with our community.” 

That continuity may be particularly valuable as the library faces a new challenge: significant potential budget reductions resulting from legislative changes in Indiana. 

The state is changing how much local income tax libraries can receive, and FCPL could potentially see a reduction of approximately $300,000 from its $2 million budget. 

After successfully navigating a major renovation, the library is once again entering a period where thoughtful planning will be essential. This time, the question isn't simply how to improve the library's physical spaces, but how to sustain services and priorities in a changing financial environment. 

The timing of the new strategic plan couldn't be more appropriate. 

For FCPL, the completed renovation isn't the conclusion of its planning journey. It's evidence of what can happen when a library identifies its priorities, develops a clear plan, and follows that plan through, even when the process takes longer than expected. 

Now Roe and her team have an opportunity to take what they learned from that experience, listen to their residents again, and determine what comes next for their community.