Long-range planning has been promoted by the American Library Association as a necessary tool for administering a library since 1980, but the process has always required a time commitment of one year or more. The entire plan in library consultant Nelson's revision of her 2001 The New Planning for Results: A Streamlined Approach can be completed in four months for libraries of all sizes. This allows libraries to keep pace with technological changes. The planning tool originally dealt with long-range strategies, library roles, and community needs. Service responses were introduced in the 1990s and defined as what a library offers its users to meet community needs. In the new edition, service priorities have increased to 18 and planning tasks reduced to ten. Part one contains instructions for the planning process, how to design it, and the tasks to be accomplished. Milestones introduce each chapter, which then conclude with key points to remember. Part two covers public library service responses in-depth, and part three provides tool kits to help navigate through difficult situations during planning. Part four contains useful worksheets. There is also a web site of downloadable electronic work forms that can be modified. A sequel (Implementing for Results: From Ideas to Action) on how to implement the new plan will be released later this year. Nelson, a specialist in public library management, has presented training programs and facilitated strategic planning processes for 30 years. She has also worked in small and large public libraries as well as state library agencies. Her latest book is essential for any public library undertaking the planning process.
—MarieBruni
