Visionaries were invited to the table to expound their lofty ideals. In an attempt to envision the future, earnest and forward-focused men - without resistance to change - devised a plan. Based upon the most reasonable knowledge of the frail and selfish tendencies of man and governments tested and tried in due process, this experiment grew into the most articulate, comprehensive and foresighted issue/goal-based strategic plan ever adopted in all of civilization: the Constitution of the United States of America.
As a centralized planning effort, the development of long-range, clearly defined privileges, immunities and guarantees were idealized, organized and prioritized by individuals with a propensity to look toward tomorrow and the needs of tomorrow. Vision was a prerequisite to attendance at the planning table. Boldness and sacrifice fueled the vision. For these persons there was clear indication that the future was, in fact, already upon them. Whatever the plan was, it had to stick. Failure was not an option - the vision depended upon it. Therefore, scenario planning was broad giving room for trial and error to debate and negotiate with the freedom to amend as necessary: the “what if” objective in response to changing the status quo.
Plan Management Fact #1:
Without a proactive plan, a shifting and unrelenting future is out of control.
Not everything in the lives of men constitutes a plan: spontaneity is the spice of life. However, when dealing with the souls and minds of men, thoughtless action is sacrilege. Freedom of inquiry and freedom of speech are individual liberties reflecting inherent rights taken expressly from the very planning utilized in the development of a young nation. Libraries exist to provide intellectual freedom unbiased and unfettered to all peoples: “The role of libraries in America today is shaped by our constitutional legacy” (American Library Association, 2006, p. 3).
It would appear, certainly, that in the changing environment of library science and information services, the future is now and the necessity to plan is as relevant today as it was when adopting and developing plans - strategic in nature - for a new nation and the privileges of its citizenry. A plan is a representative idea which identifies a culture; formulates an identity; develops goals and objectives; strategies and actions; implementing the concept of realistic change; and the freedom to monitor, evaluate and adjust as necessary.
Plan Management Fact #2:
A plan should lead to the development of programs and operations enabling growth and flexibility for debate and negotiation.
Just as those set forth in the Constitution of the United States, core library values require a simple definition. A strategic vision, set in place, encourages the future of library placement within the community and prepares library staff for implementing new concepts and ideals toward a specific mission. Strategic acting becomes part of an internal examination of services and policies affecting customers and staff, and the identification of external trends.
Plan Management Fact #3:
A planning document should become today’s design for tomorrow’s action.
As one of the founder's of one of the greatest plans ever devised, Benjamin Franklin was a visionary who is quoted as saying, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." The same plan used to create a nation is still effective today in knowledge-based, rights-oriented information service organizations. The plan and planning process is the most basic function upon which other principles of informed and educated change are based, and those which laid the foundation for a new vision of government upon the earth.
Vision is a planning process prerequisite for librarianship on today's library road.
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