Ragan Snead, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, will present “Planning for an Uncertain Future: Library Strategic Plans Pre—and Post—COVID” at the Friends of the Library annual meeting. This event will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 7 p.m. both in person on the second floor of Hiram’s Library and via zoom.
Snead will discuss trends in post-COVID library planning and share what the future may look like for libraries in Northeast Ohio. Libraries of all types often rely on strategic plans to guide them into the future, and these plans act as a framework for new initiatives, both big and small, and are frequently developed with input from all library stakeholders, from community members to the library leadership and staff. As with most things, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the development of library strategic plans. While many libraries have carried mainstay goals and objectives like community outreach and staff development into their post-pandemic plans, there has been a shift in priorities and a rise in new services for many libraries.
Snead has 12 years of experience in public and academic libraries and has a passion for staff development and helping library staff reach their full potential. In addition to her work in various areas of librarianship, Snead has experience in management, community outreach, and strategic planning. She received her MLIS from Kent State University and her MBA from Lake Erie College.
The Friends of the Hiram College Library annual meeting also includes updates from the Friends President and information about Friends activities this year.
Visit library.hiram.edu/home/friends to register and receive the Zoom link. This event is free and open to the public.
By Elyse Pitkin
