Skip to content
Talk to a person: 850-606-2665
Contact the Library
Support & Services > Library Information > Mission

Library Mission and Plans

Library Mission

To be an essential resource and place for learning, engagement and innovation that provides for our community's changing needs.

Learn. Engage. Innovate.

Essential Libraries Initiative

The Essential Libraries Initiative is a long-range strategic plan that re-envisions the Library to address the changing needs of residents and trends in library use.

Printable Essential Libraries Initiative

Approved by the Board of County Commissioners
June 8, 2021

Annual Plan for Library Service, Fiscal Year 2027

The Annual Plan for Library Service sets yearly goals to assist the Library in meeting its Essential Library Initiative long-range strategic plan.

Printable 2027 Annual Plan

Goal 1: Literacy and Lifelong Learning

To serve as a resource in developing the skills needed to be successful socially, intellectually, financially, and technologically at any age by promoting traditional and non-traditional forms of literacy.

Strategies and Actions

  1. Champion adult and youth literacy as the foundation for learning and discovery.
    1. Host literacy programs and events inside the library and throughout the community to encourage youth and adults to access and use the library’s resources.
    2. Offer a variety of programs that contribute to lifelong learning by fostering continuous personal development.
    3. Provide free basic and intermediate digital literacy, financial literacy, and health literacy programs.
    4. Expand and promote the Shared Shelves: Nonprofit Literacy Partnership Program to local stakeholders to give these materials second life and support literacy efforts around the community.
    5. Partner with local K-12 schools, colleges, and universities to promote library resources and encourage library card sign up during orientations and school events.
  2. Provide technology training for all ages to contribute to a digitally literate community.
    1. Promote and provide access to the library’s digital and technology resources.
    2. Offer AI literacy programming to help the community understand and safely use new technology.
  3. Support lifelong education for seniors and retirees with programs that entertain, educate, and provide connections to community resources.
    1. Develop and present programs addressing the emotional, mental, physical, and financial well-being of seniors and their caregivers.
    2. Host events that encourage social connections through shared interests.
  4. Develop early learning resources for parents and guardians to teach their children the skills they need to succeed in school.
    1. Model early learning skills during story times using research-based practices.
    2. Promote early literacy tools and materials that help caregivers reinforce early literacy skills.
  5. Support K-12 students in developing core academic and learning success skills: literacy, problem solving, creativity and innovation, teamwork and collaboration, and communication.
    1. Offer one-on-one tutoring and homework help via the in-person Homework Hub program and online through Brainfuse HelpNow.
    2. Host programs that focus on developing a wide variety of learning success skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and written and verbal communication.

Goal 2: Business and Workforce Development

To support a strong local economy by acting as a resource for businesses and individuals seeking professional development.

Strategies and Actions

  1. Collaborate with the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality to provide resources and spaces that support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
    1. Promote library meeting rooms as professional workspaces for local entrepreneurs and small business owners to host meetings and collaborate.
    2. Recognize National Entrepreneurship Month by highlighting library resources and tools for local business owners.
  2. Provide programs that develop skillsets needed to build a thriving workforce.
    1. Provide programs and activities in collaboration with local partners to introduce youth to high-demand STEAM career fields and help them develop leadership skills to ready them for the workforce.
    2. Host workshops on job seeking strategies, career coaching, public speaking, and related topics.
    3. Support workforce development by offering simulated job training using the CAT Excavator Simulator Lab to build muscle memory and professional confidence before entering the physical workforce.
  3. Offer resources for job seekers and to those transitioning to new careers.
    1. Maintain an up-to-date collection of business and workforce materials.
    2. Establish a family computer station in the children’s area at the Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library that allows parents to work while children play safely nearby.
  4. Provide opportunities for teens to develop leadership and life skills to ready them for the workforce.
    1. Establish a program series for teens focused on developing soft skills, professional etiquette, and social navigation for the adult world.

Goal 3: Civic and Community Engagement

To serve as a vibrant, active hub of civic discourse and participative democracy, building relationships and bridging gaps in all segments of the community.

Strategies and Actions

  1. Provide opportunities to engage in civic discourse around topics that impact Leon County and are of interest to the community.
    1. Provide resources on relevant civic and community-based topics and issues that impact Leon County residents.
    2. Develop programs, host facilitated discussions, and provide spaces that encourage community members to engage with one another.
    3. Offer media literacy programs to equip the community with the skills to navigate the modern media landscape.
    4. Participate in the national America 250 celebration, recognizing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, with engaging programming, displays, and materials.
  2. Serve as a gateway to connect people with community services and government programs.
    1. Coordinate with local human services agencies to identify program opportunities that help patrons navigate and connect with community-based and government resources.
    2. Participate in outreach opportunities with local human services agencies to share library resources and encourage library card sign up.
  3. Collaborate with local colleges and universities to maximize outcomes in areas of mutual interest.
    1. Use subject matter experts from local colleges and universities to enhance program content.
    2. Continue the library internship program to host students from local colleges and universities majoring in a variety of fields.
    3. Cultivate the next generation of library professionals by providing mentorship and hands-on career guidance to graduate students.
  4. Act as a resource and partner to local nonprofit service providers in addressing community issues.
    1. Develop collaborative food programming with the Leon County Office of Sustainability and local partners to offer programs that promote food security and nutritional health.
    2. Serve as a food access point for kids and teens 18 and under in partnership with Second Harvest of the Big Bend.
    3. Develop collaborative programming with the Leon County Division of Housing Services and local partners to offer programs that promote housing stability and related services.

Goal 4: Arts and Humanities

To support residents in their creative, intellectual, and recreational pursuits and foster cultural enrichment.

Strategies and Actions

  1. Offer a diverse physical and digital collection that supports the needs and interests of the community.
    1. Maintain the Library of Things to support the County’s sustainability efforts and offer programs and events that highlight the items.
    2. Analyze and maintain the library’s physical and digital collection to ensure the materials reflect the community.
  2. Collaborate with arts, humanities, and other creative organizations to provide programming for all ages.
    1. Host art and creative programming to help patrons of all ages discover new hobbies that foster personal growth.
    2. Provide a range of humanities programming to enrich the community’s cultural and intellectual life and to encourage the exploration of literature, history, philosophy, and the arts.
  3. Support creativity through the Library’s collection, collaborative spaces, events, and classes.
    1. Maintain and promote the library’s display spaces by partnering with local artists, archives, schools, colleges, and community organizations to host exhibits throughout the year.
    2. Champion local creators by providing and promoting the Sound Booth recording studio as a space for the community to record high-quality podcasts, music, family histories, and more.
Log in to My Account
View the Catalog
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

Enjoy events, resources, and more

Back To Top