The Chattanooga Public Library has officially unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategic plan, setting a clear and ambitious course designed to deepen its community engagement and solidify its role as a cornerstone of civic life through 2026. This forward-looking strategy does not represent a radical departure but rather a formal articulation of the library’s recent successful initiatives. According to Executive Director Will O’Hearn, the plan serves to “memorialize” the institution’s current trajectory, transparently communicating its direction and rationale to staff, stakeholders, and the public. It builds upon the solid foundation of a previous plan that delivered significant facility improvements across multiple locations, an expansion of library offerings, a reinforced partnership with Hamilton County Schools, and the successful launch of a new branch in the Avondale neighborhood, demonstrating a consistent commitment to evolution and service.
A Core Component of the ‘One Chattanooga’ Vision
A central pillar of the new strategy is its direct and intentional alignment with the “One Chattanooga” plan, a city-wide framework championed by Mayor Tim Kelly’s administration to foster unity and progress across the municipality. The library’s initiatives are meticulously designed to support and help achieve the core goals of this civic blueprint, which include building a universal path to early learning, fostering a competitive regional economy, and ensuring the delivery of responsive and effective local government services. Mayor Kelly affirmed this symbiotic relationship, describing the Chattanooga Public Library as a “critical asset to delivering on the One Chattanooga plan.” In a statement, he highlighted the library’s vital role in closing opportunity gaps, promoting community safety, and acting as a powerful driver for the city’s arts and culture economy. The mayor’s wholehearted support is tangibly reflected in the library’s funding, which is set at just over $7.8 million for the 2026 fiscal year, a clear indicator of its perceived value to the city’s future.
Removing Barriers and Enhancing Spaces
Informed by consistent community feedback that shows a clear public desire for more services and resources, the strategic plan prioritizes lowering barriers to access. The primary goal in this area is to make the entire library experience “intuitive and easy to use,” ensuring it intersects seamlessly with residents’ daily lives rather than requiring a special effort to engage. A cornerstone objective for fiscal year 2026 is the complete elimination of fines on all adult materials. This initiative expands upon a policy that already removed late fees on most items in November, leaving charges only on the non-traditional “Beyond Books” collections. In parallel, the library aims to significantly expand digital access by adding at least one new database or electronic material resource. This dual focus on removing financial penalties and enhancing virtual offerings is designed to create a more welcoming and universally accessible environment for every resident, regardless of their circumstances or location.
Concurrently with its strategic vision, the library is launching a 10-year facilities plan aimed at modernizing and expanding its physical footprint to meet contemporary community needs. A major initiative within this plan is the establishment of a new branch in East Brainerd, a decision firmly rooted in data. The East Brainerd area boasts the highest number of library cardholders in Chattanooga and the second-highest circulation rate, indicating a clear and pressing need for a dedicated local branch to serve this engaged population. The strategic plan sets specific, measurable facilities goals for the 2026 fiscal year: to officially select a site for this highly anticipated East Brainerd branch and to enhance the downtown branch by adding a new, versatile meeting room space. These upgrades are designed not only to improve service delivery but also to reinforce the library’s role as a vital physical hub for community gathering, learning, and collaboration.
Proactive Outreach and Innovative Partnerships
Departing from a passive “if you build it, they will come” model, which Executive Director O’Hearn deems outdated, the library is committing to a philosophy of proactive and intentional outreach. This approach is particularly crucial for effectively serving city districts that do not have a physical library branch within their boundaries. A prime example of this strategy in action is “Poppy,” the library’s colorful mobile van, which brings a wide range of services directly to community events, neighborhood gatherings, and partner organizations. The van facilitates on-the-spot library card sign-ups, allows for book check-outs, and provides engaging activities for all ages. Having already attended 281 events and interacted with over 22,000 people, Poppy has proven to be an invaluable tool for community connection. The 2026 goals for outreach are to offer at least three distinct outreach opportunities in each city district and to increase engagement specifically targeted at older adults by 15%.
The strategic plan also operates on the foundational principle that collaboration produces outcomes superior to working in isolation, aiming to leverage partnerships to create value that is greater than the sum of its parts. A standout success in this area is the library’s family pass program, which grants cardholders free access to premier local attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium, the Chattanooga Zoo, and Reflection Riding. Under O’Hearn’s leadership, this immensely popular program has grown from an initial five partners to over a dozen, with passes frequently being fully checked out, demonstrating high community demand. Looking ahead, the 2026 goals are to establish at least two new significant partnerships that will further expand the library’s reach and impact. Additionally, the library plans to expand its programming specifically designed to support non-traditional learners, reinforcing its commitment to being an educational resource for everyone in the community.
Redefining What a Library Can Offer
The Chattanooga Public Library is actively expanding its role beyond traditional media by curating innovative “Beyond Books” collections, which provide public access to a wide array of non-traditional items. These unique collections are designed to empower residents with new skills, hobbies, and experiences. Offerings include outdoor gear like tents and sleeping bags from the Adventure Library, as well as a diverse assortment of musical instruments, plant seeds for local gardeners, essential tools for home projects, and educational toys. This initiative fundamentally reimagines the library as a community resource hub, providing access not just to information but also to the physical objects that facilitate learning, creativity, and exploration. The 2026 goals for this focus area are to expand two of the most popular existing Beyond Books collections and to improve accessibility by making two of these collections available for checkout at all library locations.
With the launch of this strategic plan, the Chattanooga Public Library solidified its modern vision, one that evolved far beyond the traditional role of “information access.” The institution formally embraced a broader mission centered on providing “access” in its many forms—access to vital resources, practical tools, enriching experiences, and, most importantly, a welcoming community. The plan articulated a future where the library was positioned as a central place for every resident, a space where all could feel a sense of belonging and participate in a vibrant culture of sharing and lifelong learning. This blueprint was not merely a set of goals but a declaration of purpose, confirming the library’s indispensable role in building a more connected, educated, and equitable city for years to come.
