1. Education & Literacy: All residents are literate, and their educational and personal goals are supported.

Education and literacy are foundational purposes of public libraries, and HPL excels at accomplishing these core activities. HPL’s storytime, homework help centers, and adult reader programs are all highly regarded. These programs provide essential support to various age groups and foster reading skills and learning from an early age through adulthood.

Recognizing need is significant; the City of Hayward envisions becoming an “Education City,” where all residents have access to quality educational opportunities. By achieving the Library’s education and literacy goals, HPL plays a crucial role in strengthening the community and bringing the City’s vision to reality.

GOALS

• Provide the information and resources that the community needs and wants.
• Provide programming that inspires, educates, informs, and entertains.
• Advance the literacy and STEM / STEAM needs of individuals.
• Narrow the digital divide.
• Support the launch of a satellite branch in the Stack Center.

Key Measures

• Total collections uses
• Total program attendance
• Library visits

Key Projects

• Weekes Branch rejuvenation
• Library driven partnerships
• Removing barriers through virtual program delivery
• Collection alignment to community needs
• New ILS System
• Weekes Branch new building (pending Meas. C extension)
• Re-evaluate homework centers at school sites
• More equitable camp registration & more drop-in camps
• Secure FY26+ funding
• Increase technology/digital learning classes

1. Hayward Culture & Heritage: Cherishing Hayward’s shared diversity and history.

Hayward serves as a gateway city to the United States and California, with people arriving from around the world. Its cultural landscape benefits from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and spoken languages.

Hayward Public Library has been a champion in celebrating this diversity and will expand these efforts over the next five years. The Library will build community pride through frequently viewed exhibits, continued cultural festivals & displays, and an expanded collection of non-English materials. These initiatives aim to celebrate Hayward’s multicultural fabric and ensure all residents feel represented and included.

Goals

• Foster understanding, respect, and inclusivity among Hayward's diverse cultures and communities.
• Nurture Hayward’s cultural and ethnic diversity.

Key Measures

• # of inclusivity & diversity foyer placemaking displays
• Cultural festival public event attendance
• Circulation of non-English materials

Key Projects

• Four anchor events per year
• Community-driven, culturally responsive program topics

1. Outreach: Meeting community members where they are and connecting them to the Library's offerings.

The Library, in conjunction with our dedicated partners, serves community members beyond our walls. We support homework centers at schools, participate in community events, and provide online programming. Our mobile library, Curbie, visits partner agencies, schools, after-school programs, daycares, parks, and more, with an emphasis on underserved or disadvantaged areas. A large number of HPL programs are available virtually as well.

Despite these efforts, there are still community members who are hindered from using the Library due to physical limitations, lack of transportation, and other personal circumstances. Working with the City and community partners, the Library will expand our outreach services with a particular focus on Hayward public schools, California State Univ., and Chabot College. A new mobile tech library will start providing technology instruction, Wi-Fi access, technology loans, and technology classes outside of the Library.

Many community members are surprised when they learn about the Library’s extensive services. To address this, the Library will reinvigorate our marketing efforts by enhancing our social media presence, expanding the website’s functionality, and working with partners to spread the message. We will work to ensure everyone in our community knows about, and can access, the Library’s valuable resources and services.

Goals

• Deliver HPL resources and services outside of Library locations.
• Partner with community organizations to enhance combined services.
• Build relationships & pathways with City departments to increase the reach and impact of our community services.
• Connect community members, students, and faculty to the Library's offerings.

Key Measures

• Bookmobile patron visits
• Outreach event attendance
• # of active Library community partnerships

Key Projects

• Tech mobile acquisition
• Outreach level set
• Expand patron communication modes Increase collaboration with CSUEB & Chabot
• Increase HPL awareness across COH departments

1. Social Services & Economic Development: Supporting individuals seeking to improve their circumstances.

Hayward Public Library is a trusted organization within our community. The staff has earned this trust over time by delivering Library services objectively, confidentially, and equitably. When individuals seek to improve their situation, many turn to the library.

HPL currently provides an array of services to help individuals in need or in transition. These services are provided in conjunction with our generous partners. Examples of such services include medical clinics, summer food distribution, resume workshops, job fairs, and citizenship classes.

Recognizing that the needs in Hayward are many, the Library will expand our successful career and business programs to increase their reach. We will launch a Community Hub that will increase the coordination of various social outreach partners which will lead to improved services to the users. Such efforts will ensure HPL continues to be a trusted resource that supports the community’s growth and well-being.

Goals

• Connecting vulnerable patrons with services that promote their health & well-being.

Key Measures

• Community Hub visits
• Career and business program attendance
• # of patrons served with health & wellness services

Key Projects

• Community Hub launch
• Career & business program expansion

1. HPL Team Culture: Hayward Public Library brings out the best in everyone.

The Library enjoys a high Net Promotor Score® based on the community survey and stakeholder feedback. People close to the Library are very complimentary of the Library’s responsiveness to ever-changing community needs.

Satisfaction of the Library stems from the staff’s hard work, teamwork, and effective leadership. Maintaining the Library’s level of service and achieving the goals of this strategic plan largely depend on the Library team.

While implementing the goals of this plan, we must be realistic about our capacity to serve and make staffing or service adjustments so our team members are able to maintain a good work-life balance. We will help our team members grow professionally and personally while implementing improvements to our workspaces and scheduling practices.

Ultimately, a well-supported and balanced team will enable the Library to continue meeting the community’s needs effectively.

Goals

• Team members are satisfied, fulfilled, and safe at HPL.
• HPL team members are lifelong learners who are growing their professional skills.

Key Measures

• Staff satisfaction
• % of staff engaged in enrichment training beyond required training

Key Projects

• Staff workspace optimization
• Staff recognition program
• Enhanced staff scheduling & staff expansion
• Internal training & professional development

1. HPL Stewardship: Hayward Public Library makes wise use of public resources.

Like most municipalities, Hayward has limited resources. Hayward taxpayers have been generous in their support of the Library by approving a sales tax referendum to fund the new Downtown Library, among other projects, while continuing to support day-to-day library operations.

Everyone at the Library values the trust Hayward voters and taxpayers have placed in us. We will continue to be good fiscal stewards of taxpayer funds as we balance improving our services while operating within our allocated budgets.

Goals

• Hayward residents believe the Library rocks.
• HPL is a good steward of taxpayer funds.
• Continue to pursue grants and donations.

Key Measures

• Citizen survey results
• Median daily door counts
• Operating within budget (+/- 5%)

Key Projects

• Refine daily door-counting process
• Streamlined onboarding process