STRATEGIC PLAN
2025-2028
Discover opportunities for literacy, learning, and leisure in Barrie
Land Acknowledgment
The Barrie Public Library is a gathering place where community comes together; to share stories, to explore new ideas and to consider fresh perspectives. It is through this unique position in our community that we support and promote truth and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
The Library, and we as individuals, have a deep desire to bring about change in our community and move forward together as diverse and inclusive peoples.
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg [Ah-nish-NAH-beg] people. The Anishnaabeg [Ah-nish-NAH-beg] include the Odawa [Oh-DAH-wah], Ojibwe [O-jibwe] and Pottawatomi [boh-tah-WAH-toh-mee] nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. This land is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The Library has a responsibility to raise awareness of the history and ongoing impacts of colonialism on this land, and to help celebrate the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples, nations, and cultures. In our shared spaces, inside and outside the Library, we will listen to and amplify Indigenous voices, inspire greater understanding, and connect people to one another and to this land.
We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous history and culture and are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect.
ABOUT THE BARRIE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Barrie Public Library serves a population of 150,000 residents in Barrie, Ontario, and 21,000 residents in Oro-Medonte. We have around 100 diverse and passionate staff who provide extensive services, programs, collections, resources, and technologies from our three locations.
MISSION VISION
To inspire lifelong learning, build community connections, and ensure equitable access to knowledge, resources, and programs. Committed to innovation, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, we provide safe and welcoming spaces that help our community connect and discover opportunities.
VALUES
SERVICE
To be an essential hub of information and discovery –where our community comes together for literacy, leisure and learning.
We care about and respond to the needs of our community and our colleagues. We have unique interests, experiences and passions, and we bring these to work every day. We engage with our community and welcome everyone.
CURIOSITY
We are interested, inquisitive and committed to exploring new ideas and considering fresh perspectives. It is our curiosity and creative thinking that will ensure we continue to succeed. We use our imaginations to exceed expectations.
SHARING
We believe in collaboration, inclusion, and diversity. Through partnerships and community engagement, we seek opportunities to cooperate and build connections.
barrielibrary.ca
Discover Opportunities
CEO & CHAIR MESSAGE
Looking back on the last four years, we are so proud of what we accomplished at the Barrie Public Library.
On the opposite page, we’ve highlighted some of our biggest achievements, including opening our Holly community library, greatly expanding our Library of Things, adding two self-serve library kiosks at recreation centres, and building a BPL on the GO outreach team that includes a van, e-trike and trailer.
Through this next Strategic Plan, we will continue this important work, building greater awareness and more connections, while adding some new priorities like improving data-driven operations and building a culture of resiliency
One of the most important priorities that continues into this plan is the need for growth of the Barrie Public Library system. It is clear that library services are needed, valued, and well-used
Lauren Jessop CEO
Austin Mitchell Board Chair
across our city and there continue to be both new and existing neighbourhoods without convenient access to a library location. We will continue to meet residents outside our walls where we can, and advocate for the expansion into new locations.
This Strategic Plan ensures we are positioning ourselves well to scale our systems and processes as we grow. We are thrilled with the progress we have made, and excited about the progress that we know is to come.
Our world is constantly changing and evolving; from how we spend our free time and where we get our information, to the issues we are facing, like a rising cost of living. Public libraries continue to be at the forefront of it all, and we are committed help meet our community’s needs every step of the way.
Thank you for joining us on this journey as we write the next chapter of the Barrie Public Library.
We couldn’t plan for the future without reflecting on our previous Strategic Plan and what we accomplished as a system. 2020-2024 saw incredible growth and many new initiatives at the Barrie Public Library!
Added two self-ser ve librar y kiosks in recreation centres
Launched Creative Spaces at all three locations
Expanded our Librar y of Things to 30+ items
Created our BPL on the GO outreach team
2020 -2 024
Planted native gardens to be a green leader
Opened our Holly Communit y Librar y in 2022
Created award -winning oper ational ef ficiencies and service upgrad es
Welcomed a Human Services Navigator Downtown to suppor t community wellness
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
AWARENESS & CONNECTIONS
We will build community engagement and support through marketing initiatives, partnerships, community participation, and collaboration.
GOAL 1
Build Awareness and Communicate the Library’s Value
GOAL 2
Strengthen Community Partnerships and Community Engagement
GOAL 3
Grow Sustainable Community Outreach and Support
GOAL 4
Foster Continued Growth and Usage of Services
DATA-DRIVEN OPERATIONS
We will systematically enhance the library’s collection and use of data across the organization for improved analysis and decision making.
GOAL 1
Develop Cohesive Data Infrastructure
GOAL 2
Map Business Processes
GOAL 3
Build Staff Knowledge of Data Analytics and Technology
GOAL 4
Design Data Presentation Plan
GOAL 5
Leverage Technology for Value and Impact
CULTURE OF RESILIENCY
We will foster an organizational culture where staff development is aligned with our mission and goals and knowledge is shared in an open and welcoming environment.
GOAL 1
Enhance Training and Development
GOAL 2
Improve Staff Connection and Knowledge Sharing
GOAL 3
Strengthen Organizational Culture
GROWTH
We will continue to push for growth beyond our current walls, to align with Master Facilities Plan recommendations and reach more residents in Barrie.
GOAL 1
Open a Community Library in Northwest Barrie
GOAL 2
Develop Feedback Framework for Analysis
GOAL 3
Plan for a Library in the South Barrie Mixed Use Recreation Centre
GOAL 4
Plan for Potential Additional Branches
