Mat-Su Borough Recreational Services Manager updates Library Board on Borough Public Libraries’ Strategic Plan

Earlier this year, the Mat-Su Borough hired consulting firm Rose Group International to develop a strategic plan for its five public libraries. Strategic planning typically occurs every five years and aims to understand what the community is using libraries for, how the library can better meet the community’s needs, and lay out a plan for the library’s growth.

Over a month, the firm spoke with library staff individually and hosted open houses to get community feedback on the libraries.

However, Rose Group International’s interaction with the libraries came to an abrupt halt in early March when it became clear they were no longer working on the public libraries’ strategic plan. When initially asked for an explanation, the borough said QUOTE “The Rose Group’s scope of work is complete.” UNQUOTE and said the Community Development Department would be leading the effort on the strategic plan moving forward.

At the April 1st Borough Assembly Meeting, Vice-Chairperson of the Borough Library Board Kathy Kaser spoke out on the matter. She said the contract with Rose Group International was terminated because of a third-hand rumor that started on the firm’s flight home.

“On their flight home, someone associated with their group was supposedly overheard making a comment something to the effect that their task was to plan how to deal with the anti-trans agenda in the Borough. The overheard comment was then repeated to a local legislator who then called our borough administration,” she said, “At which point, manager Mike Brown immediately terminated the contract with the Rose Group.”

Borough Parks, Recreation, and Library Services Manager Hugh Leslie addressed those comments at the Library Board’s meeting this past Tuesday.

“I can’t get into whether that did or didn’t happen, I was not on the plane,” he stated, “However, we felt that the perception that it gave to the libraries was only going to hurt the libraries and potentially make the strategic plan seem not as valid as it would have been, so Mike Brown terminated the contract based on that perception”

Leslie says the Borough’s Community Development Department will use the data Rose Group International collected to draft the Strategic Plan this summer.