As library patrons increasingly seek digital content, it is crucial to develop a long-term digital strategy. This approach can address the challenges of a rapidly changing license landscape, increased demand, uncertain budget conditions, and rising costs associated with one-copy one-user licenses. By planning how to integrate digital content into your overall strategy, you can systematically improve your digital offerings, ensuring they remain relevant and valuable to your community. Through careful planning, targeted growth, and strategic investment, libraries can enhance their digital services, making them more engaging, accessible, and effective for users of all ages and backgrounds. 

Building a long-term digital strategy offers four key benefits that enable you to recognize and better understand the evolving needs of your community, and how to effectively serve your patrons. These advantages are: 

  1. Identification of Key Growth Areas
    • Highlights potential areas for growth in digital services
    • Identifies areas where the most significant impact can be achieved
  2. Prioritization of Key Areas of Importance
    • Aids libraries in recognizing crucial aspects of service that require prioritization to maximize value to their patrons
  3. Budget Considerations
    • Aligns detailed budget planning with the library’s resources and objectives
    • Proposes a framework for allocating funds effectively across different areas
    • Explores potential funding sources and cost-effective solutions
  4. Content and Collection Considerations
    • Provides guidelines for evaluating current digital collections and identifying gaps in content
    • Emphasizes the importance of diversifying collections to include a wide range of content that caters to diverse communities
    • Addresses the need for dynamic content management practices that respond to emerging trends and user feedback

What to Consider When Building Your Long-Term Digital Strategy

This comprehensive outline ensures that every aspect of developing a digital content strategy is thoroughly planned and prepared for, positioning your library to meet future challenges and leverage digital opportunities effectively.

Current State Assessment

  • Digital Resources Review
    Catalogue existing digital resources, platforms, and tools.
  • Patron Engagement Analysis
    Assess how patrons interact with current digital services and identify patterns and preferences.
  • Technology Assessment
    Evaluate existing digital infrastructure for strengths and weaknesses.
  • Stakeholder Feedback
    Gather input from library staff, patrons, and community partners to understand their views and needs concerning digital services.

Vision and Objectives

  • Vision Statement
    Define what the library aims to become in the digital realm over the next five to ten years.
  • Strategic Objectives
    Set specific, measurable goals such as increasing digital collection usage by a certain percentage, reaching underserved populations, or implementing new technologies.

Data acquired through accurate reporting is vital when setting strategic objectives.

Audience and Market Analysis

  • Demographic Study
    Analyze the age, interests, digital literacy, and device usage of library patrons.
  • Community Needs Assessment
    Identify unique needs, challenges, and opportunities within the community that the library can address.
  • Conduct a Digital Equity Study
    Identify key equity gaps in your community that may need to be addressed.
  • Trend Analysis
    Evaluate digital services offered by other libraries and content providers; identify trends in digital content consumption and library services.
  • Vendor Analysis
    Assess the offerings of digital service providers by developing a comparative grid that outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each vendor’s products and services. This grid should reflect their alignment with community needs, budget alignment, technology strengths and weaknesses, content availability, staff usability, and the strategic goals of the library.

Identifying your audience is a key factor when connecting with your community.

Content Development and Acquisition

  • Content Identification
    Identify necessary content additions based on user demands and strategic goals.
  • Acquisition Strategy
    Develop policies for acquiring and licensing new digital content, considering both cost and potential usage.

Technology and Infrastructure

  • Platform Development
    Plan for the development or upgrade of digital platforms to improve user experience and content delivery.
  • Integration Systems
    Ensure new technologies are compatible with existing ILS and can be integrated smoothly.
  • Accessibility and Compliance
    Guarantee that all digital services comply with accessibility laws and best practices to serve all community members.

User Experience and Engagement

  • User Interface Design
    Consider user interface design and evaluate intuitiveness, attractiveness, and accessibility.
  • Personalization Strategies
    Evaluate features that allow for personalized content recommendations and user experiences based on individual usage patterns.
  • Marketing and Outreach
    Create a marketing plan to promote digital services and increase user engagement through social media, community outreach, and in-library promotions.

Staffing and Training

  • Roles and Responsibilities
    Define new roles or modify existing roles to support digital services.
  • Professional Development
    Implement ongoing training programs to ensure that staff are proficient in new technologies and customer service practices for digital platforms.

Evaluation and Adaptation

  • Performance Metrics
    Establish metrics to measure the effectiveness of digital content and services (e.g., user engagement, content usage, return on investment).
  • Feedback Mechanisms
    Implement tools and processes to collect ongoing user feedback.
  • Continuous Improvement
    Regularly update the strategy based on feedback, performance data, and evolving technological and community needs.

Tracking licensing data can help identify opportunities to optimize your budget.

Budget and Funding

  • Budget Planning
    Outline detailed, itemized budgets for all aspects of the digital strategy.
  • Funding Opportunities
    Identify potential funding sources, including shifting budget lines, grants, sponsorships, and partnerships that can provide additional financial support.

Risk Management

  • Risk Identification
    List potential risks associated with implementing the digital strategy.
  • Mitigation Strategies
    Develop plans to address these risks, ensuring the library’s digital services are sustainable and secure.

Implementation Timeline

  • Phased Rollout
    Schedule the introduction of digital services and resources in manageable phases.
  • Milestone Reviews
    Set regular review points to assess progress, resolve issues, and make necessary adjustments.

Use data such as license utilization to support budget planning.

Developing a long-term digital strategy allows your library to remain a relevant and valuable place within your community. By enhancing your digital offerings through a strategic plan, you can keep pace with technological advances and leverage them to create a richer, more informative and more interactive library
experience that resonates with your patrons.