Lapp Learning Commons at Chicago Theological Seminary
Over the 2023-24 academic year, Fosgail founder Myka Kennedy Stephens worked with the leadership of Lapp Learning Commons to develop an integrated library plan. The process, outlined in Myka’s book Integrated Library Planning, included three stages of foundation building, creating a planning structure, and implementing a monthly review cycle. Using an approach informed by Appreciative Inquiry, Myka facilitated several focus group conversations with stakeholders, and guided library leadership in reflection on mission, vision, goals, and strategic outcomes. The resulting integrated library plan operates on a rolling planning horizon with clear steps for ongoing assessment and further development of goals and outcomes as the plan matures.
Integrated Library Planning is a planning and evaluation model that librarians may use to better understand, plan, and act on change. It integrates ongoing review and assessment with the development and achievement of goals and outcomes. It features a rolling horizon for mapping action plans and a monthly review cycle that promotes communication and collaboration across the library. It has the capacity to be both strategic and dynamic, allowing a library to identify emerging needs and effectively innovate at an opportune moment. It also integrates the ongoing responsibilities of library staff with strategic initiatives to further realistic goal setting and spark creative thinking about daily operations.