Case Study

st. john the baptist parish library

Empowering the Community through Strategic Planning, Intentional Program Design, and Artful Implementation

The St. John the Baptist Parish Library approached Trepwise in 2023 to support with the system’s first-ever strategic planning process and elevate the future of the Parish’s four library branches. Together, Trepwise and Library Leadership sought out to ensure that the future of the system’s programs, resources, facilities, and operations were centered in the needs of its community and aligned with best practices.

Product:

Organizational Planning

Sector:

Nonprofit

Solution

Trepwise conducted extensive community engagement, including listening sessions, community, staff, and board surveys, and working sessions with wide variety of team members. Utilizing these insights on the wants and needs of Parish residents, Trepwise worked alongside the library team to co-create strategic priorities that empower, uplift, and enrich the community. Areas of focus were high-impact, responsive programs and resources that represent diverse community voices and needs; effective marketing, community outreach, and strong partnerships focus on underrepresented communities; new and updated facilities that center inclusively, accessibility, and innovation; and internal operations that are efficient, effective, and invest in staff development and overall satisfaction.

Results

As a result of this work, the library received a comprehensive 3-year strategic plan and a detailed implementation tool to support staff in carrying out quality initiatives, including a half-day long workshop training the entire staff on responsibility frameworks and implementation best practices.

Since the completion of the strategic plan, St. John the Baptist Parish Library has opened a brand new state-of-the-art three-floor library in Reserve with all-new resources and community-facing programs, and has begun renovations and updated program planning for its Edgard and LaPlace locations.

“The Trepwise team was professional, creative, upbeat and reasonable. Expectations were clearly set for attainable results. Participation in all activities was educational and enjoyable. The end product and tracker set us up for success in the future for fulfilling our Strategic Plan and Initiatives.”

-Andrea Tullos, Executive Director