Through initiatives like ConnectEd, children without access to local libraries are issued library cards at school. Rural families, lacking reliable transportation, connect to WiFi on our Bookmobile. In today’s ever-evolving world, people use libraries differently. Their needs force us to rethink how we can best serve our community. But, just thinking about it is not enough. PCPL has a long and richly-told story, yet it lacked a touchstone for strategic planning and direction. A brand would bring together, for the first time, an understanding about who we are, who we need to be, and the direction we want to go.

So much more than a new logo and a splash of color, our brand represents a fundamental shift in the way we communicate today and the way we plan for the future. Market research formed the building blocks of what would become our innovative toolkit. Informed by our Community Impact Plan, local initiatives, and our desire to transform lives, we created a new mission, vision, and set of values. From there, an inspirational tagline, engaging key messages, friendly typography, and enriching graphic elements became a comprehensive brand package that will guide us for years to come.

Simply stated, the launch of our brand was a pivotal moment in PCPL’s history. We didn’t rely on outside agencies. We used our own expertise, creativity, and passion to create a toolkit that brings clarity to everything we do. Expressive and cohesive, our branded materials not only improved morale, but helped connect more than 500 staff members and countless patrons and partners across 27 libraries. The launch of our brand allowed us the space and opportunity to strengthen partnerships, refine programming, and work together to achieve our vision of an educated, connected community of readers, learners, doers, and dreamers.