When you walk through the doors of Indian Prairie Public Library, just across the street from a busy high school in Darien, Illinois, you’ll find a space that’s buzzing with energy. Hundreds of teens come through each afternoon. Families with deep roots in the area—many who’ve lived here for generations—share the space with newcomers from all over the world.

It’s a community that’s constantly evolving, and Indian Prairie is committed to evolving with it. But after a major building renovation and the disruptive detour of a global pandemic, Birmingham and her team realized it was time to re-evaluate. Was the library still offering what their community needed most? 

Sometimes in library management, strategic planning can get pushed to the side. When you’re on the front lines, addressing daily needs with limited resources, it’s difficult to find time to think three, five, or ten years into the future. But for the Sterling Heights Public Library (SHPL) in Michigan, a comprehensive strategic plan has become the linchpin of a fresh approach to serving their community. Tammy Turgeon, Library Director at SHPL, talked with ReThinking Libraries about the evolution of her library and how strategic planning has reshaped their services, partnerships, and overall vision.