Model Project:
Planning for Results

Why are we doing this project? What need does it meet?
This project is being conducted to determine the relevancy of the Planning for Results process for tribal communities. Planning for Results is the Public Library Association’s library planning model. Planning for Results asks the community to define how the library can meet the stated needs of the community.

How do we know this need exists?
Three tribes in Arizona already completed this process with varying degrees of success and 15 tribes remain eligible for participation. We know there are too many demands placed on tribal libraries, their staff, resources and space and they need help in prioritizing their services. It is understood that every library does not have a plan and having one would help them in serving the community and identifying issues that can be used in grant proposals and other advocacy efforts.

What resources do we have to do this project?
National Leadership Grant
Arizona State Library staff and National Leadership Grant project staff (Arizona State Museum) for technical assistance
CRIT Library and Archive. The CRIT Library and Archives have participated in the Planning for Results process and have found it to be useful in setting goals and implementing work plans. The CRIT Library and Archives Director has also received training in how to facilitate the community meetings, a critical part of the process.

Who are the collaborators?
Arizona State Library
Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Library and Archive
Tuba City Public Library
Salt River Pima-Maricopa (SRPMIC) Tribal Library
Other tribal libraries in the state

What will we do to meet the identified needs?
Convene meeting to introduce tribal libraries to the Planning for Results process
Identify one tribal library to participate
Write supplemental material to Planning for Results

Project Activities to Date:
Two of three required community meetings were facilitated by the CRIT Library director for the Tuba City Public Library and its surrounding community. A meeting will be scheduled with the SRPMIC tribal library to begin the Planning for Results process.

Who will benefit from this project?
Participating tribal librarians will increase their knowledge of this process and they will make informed decisions about the direction of their library in relation to needs of the community. The staff of the tribal libraries will be guided by their mission statements enabling them to work more efficiently. They will gain a sense of value and accomplishment as they work towards a larger goal and vision and they will increase their job satisfaction.

The community will have ownership of the library, with regards to relevant services, and this will encourage a connection between the tribal community and the library.

The tribal libraries, as an organization, will become more focused on prioritizing activities, services and outreach plans. They will raise their visibility within the community and gain credibility. They will be able to retire activities that are not relevant in favor of ones that are more useful to the community.

Changes made to the Planning for Results process that will make it more meaningful and useful to tribal libraries will benefit the national Planning for Results movement; particularly to those facilitators who may work with tribal communities. Tribal communities as a whole will benefit from taking advantage of a national model planning tool.

Other Model Projects: Oregon Collaborative Project | Mohawk Cultural and Historical Documents