“What is Blueprint Boise?
Boise’s Comprehensive Plan, Blueprint Boise, establishes a broad vision for growth.”
Source: City of Boise Website
In short, it is the city’s guiding document used to create a vibrant and sustainable Boise.
“Libraries are important part of the community, and all residents should be able to access them easily.
CEA11.1: THREE-MILE SERVICE RADIUS Provide adequate geographic coverage three-mile service radius for libraries coverage by pursuing branch libraries in the Southeast, West Bench, and Northwest.” (emphasis mine)
Source : Blueprint Boise page 2-68 https://www.cityofboise.org/media/3021/bb_all_08012023-2.pdf
West Boise needs a Library too. Most of the city has a Boise Library within two miles. Some areas can choose between 2 to 3 within two miles. In West Boise, the closest libraries, in any city, are 4 to 5 miles away.
Some of us are born lucky, the rest of us use goals to succeed in business and in life. The city has many stated goals:
- Carbon neutral (city gov by 2030, total community by 2050)
- 100% clean electricity by 2035
- Affordable housing (1250 units in 5 yrs as of ’21)
- Park proximity (10 min walk)
- Path proximity (10 min walk)
These stated goals are in the process of being accomplished because they are specifically stated and publicized often. In contrast, while the city administration speaks glowingly of the Boise Library system, it avoids any support, often avoids any mention, and definitely avoids any specific goal of providing equitable access to all residents with a Boise Library in West Boise.
The only goals for Boise Library branches are hidden within Blueprint Boise.
When I asked for the Boise Library Department goals, I was directed to the Library Department Strategic Plan, not to be confused with the upcoming Library Strategic Facilities Plan.
- Expand Access
- Increase Impact
- Optimize Resources
- Measure Value
Source: Boise Public Library Website
https://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/about-us/strategic-planning/#priorities
These aren’t goals, they’re aspirations, perhaps inspirational aspirations, but just aspirations. How do we measure success? How are we going to achieve these ‘goals?’ What is the timeline?
- The best way to expand access and “make our collections, programs, and services available when, where, and how people want them…ensure that every community member has access” is to provide Boise Library services to West Boise.
- How do we Increase Impact and “create valuable experiences for every resident and meet their needs…strengthen connections with community organizations” if we exclude the residents in West Boise?
- To optimize resources, we need to make them available to all areas of Boise.
- We actively decline to measure value when we disregard the Boise Library! desert in West Boise and spin the results of the Strategic Facilities Plan survey and listening sessions.
We need a Boise Library in West Boise. While the city continues to avoid setting goals for the library system, Blueprint Boise has always had one. We’re asking now that the city recognizes this goal and includes a Boise Library in West Boise in the upcoming Library Strategic Facilities Plan that will guide us for the next 10 to 20 years. 20 years is a generation, far too long to leave a library desert in West Boise.
I didn’t know about Blueprint Boise, this is great. Never have I heard this < 3 mile goal mentioned with regards to library access, and it's been there all along! You make a great point about how goals help people and cities accomplish things that matter. Success isn't an accident. Why shouldn't this goal be relevant now that the city is creating a plan for libraries for the next 20 years?