Library History
Learn more about the history of the Stoughton Public Library.
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Library Mission Statement
The Stoughton Public Library will support the education, enrichment, empowerment, and engagement of our community. We are a place for everyone to learn, discover, grow, and play.
The Stoughton Public Library follows the values of our profession as set forth by the American Library Association (ALA). These values include diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, social responsibility, and lifelong learning.
The Staff and Board of Trustees of the Stoughton Public Library join the ALA and the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) in declaring that we stand against hate and systemic injustice in all forms. We believe every life is valuable and that all people should be treated with respect and dignity. We reject policies and practices that promote discrimination and work to provide a library collection that reflects a broad spectrum of the human experience. We strive to provide a free, safe, and welcoming environment for people to explore ideas that differ from their own and gain new knowledge and skills. All Are Welcome Here.
Goal Areas from the Library's 2023-2026 Strategic Plan
GOAL AREA 1: Access to Information
The Library will provide free and open access to a wide variety of information in both traditional print and emerging digital formats. Recognizing that demand for digital and streaming services is increasing rapidly, we will invest additional resources in those services in the years to come.
GOAL 2: Programming
The Library will offer a wide variety of programs for all ages, both in-person and virtual/hybrid, to meet the diverse needs of the community and promote the concept of the library as a community hub for lifelong learning and engagement.
GOAL 3: The Library's Physical Space
The Library will maintain and strengthen its role as a safe, inclusive, and accessible space welcoming to all, in which individuals and groups interact, exchange ideas, and foster a sense of community. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we aim to reestablish the library as a destination. We will continue to explore creative uses for our space and plan for a future expansion.
GOAL 4: Financial Stability
The Library will work to ensure financial stability through municipal and county appropriation, utilizing a variety of marketing platforms, to ensure that community members are aware of the Library’s needs, which will promote private donations, gifts, grants and other fundraising efforts.
GOAL 5: Staff
The Library relies on the time and expertise of its staff in order to meet the goals outlined here. As such, the Library will prioritize staff retention. The Library will also pursue increased staffing levels to maintain efficient operations, expand programming for all ages, and pursue initiatives related to collection preservation and maintenance. Increased staffing is critical for a more equitable and sustainable distribution of tasks, staff’s professional growth and development, and for the Library to retain the workers we are fortunate to have.
Adopted: October 20, 2010
Revised: April 17, 2013
Revised: October 16, 2019
Revised: May 17, 2023