Opl strategic plan fa hr

Orillia Public Library

Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

CONTENTS Message from our Board Chair and CEO

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Who We Are

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Our Purpose Statement

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What We Value

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What We Do

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Our Strategic Priorities

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Tell Our Story

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Transform Service Delivery

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Support Learning and Growth

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Connect People to Resources

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Enhance Our Capacity

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Outcomes 20-21

A gathering place to share

expertise,

support learning, inspire connections and create possibilities for everyone.

Cover photography – © doublespace photography | © Deb Halbot - Through My Eyes Photography

Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

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MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR AND CEO The Orillia Public Library is a place where people come together to acquire information, exchange ideas, learn about possibilities and connect with each other through diverse and innovative programs and events. The Orillia Public Library (OPL) Board and the City of Orillia Council opened the new building in 2012; it is designed to be a focal point for our community, a destination for both the people of Orillia and our surrounding communities.

Conversations with our community members confirm our staff members are providing excellent customer service, they are doing a valuable job helping people with their reading and information needs as well as meeting increased demands for technological support. You told us that you value Children and Youth programming and would like to see this as a continued priority for service; you appreciate the architectural beauty of a space that is accessible and welcoming to everyone, and you would like to see community programming in this space continue to grow.

With the implementation of this strategic plan we will build on a solid foundation by providing increased opportunities to connect with our community. We will: tell our story; transform service

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The OPL Board is committed to being accountable to our community and will ensure the goals described in this plan are met. The Library will work with the City of Orillia, surrounding townships, and local organizations and agencies to provide a full spectrum of services making effective use of community resources. We believe the priorities outlined in the strategic plan provide the direction needed for the library to continue to be a vital and essential part of Orillia that reflects the positive growth and changes occurring in our community.

Gay Guthrie

Suzanne Campbell

Board Chair

CEO

Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

delivery; support learning and growth; connect people to resources; enhance our capacity.

WHO WE ARE The Orillia Public Library is a vibrant, active center of learning and information that extends from a dynamic downtown community to neighbourhoods and groups throughout the City of Orillia and surrounding areas.

audio-books meeting free

computers

public

toddlers browse study magazines seniors

books

Orillianna

access

DVDs

ninety-thousand

youth

internet databases babies programs multilingual movies newspapers technology adults

OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT

share expertise, support learning, inspire connections, and create possibilities for everyone.

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Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

We are a gathering place to

WHAT WE VALUE We believe in:

Optimizing access to knowledge and information Community engagement Freedom to exchange ideas Access and inclusion Service excellence Learning and growth

Effective use of resources Right to privacy

Š Deb Halbot - Through My Eyes Photography

Inspiring change

WHAT WE DO

people come into the Library every day

985

learned a new tech skill

BOOKS, DVDS, and MAGAZINES

We offer FREE WI-FI that is accessed almost

5,500

times per month

5,250 attended Early Literacy Programs

2,770 youth connect and inspire

9,867 6-12 year olds inspired to create, share, and learn

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You can access COMPUTERS, E-READERS, and GREEN SCREEN TECHNOLOGY EVENT PROGRAMMING: Doors Open and Culture Days brought

3,400

people to the Library and the downtown core.

Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

1,200

90,000 We house over

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2017 – 2020 The Orillia Public Library Strategic Plan 2017-2020 has been developed in consultation with Library staff, the Library Board and the community.

We reviewed and researched current trends in the public library sector and in our community, allowing us to design a plan that responds to the changes in our operating environment.

This plan aligns with and supports City of Orillia strategies, including the Downtown Tomorrow Plan, Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan, the Economic Development Strategy.

We have created a flexible and responsive plan that will transform our collective vision of library services in Orillia – one that increasingly connects the Library to our community. From the five strategic priorities and 15 strategic objectives we will develop an action plan featuring effective, creative, and innovative Library programs and services.

© Deb Halbot - Through My Eyes Photography

TELL OUR STORY

SUPPORT LEARNING AND GROWTH CONNECT PEOPLE TO RESOURCES ENHANCE OUR CAPACITY

Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

TRANSFORM SERVICE DELIVERY

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BE HEARD We asked you what you wanted from your library. Your response? You asked for services, programs and collections that we already offer. You told us something important – we need to learn how to tell our story.

I need to know what you have to offer, particularly in the area of computer applications.

I would like to learn more about what the library can and does offer...I am new to Orillia.

Market yourself. I had no idea of what you do!

Stay current through more self-promotion and marketing.

More event-hosting to introduce people to the library.

I would love to get an e-mail update as to the events, movies, speakers, and discussions.

P R I O R I T Y

TELL OUR STORY • Increase awareness of our services throughout the community • Develop a consistent marketing message • Document and communicate our impact

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Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

S T R A T E G I C

BE HEARD You want our spaces and services to address key needs of our community while strengthening our role within the city.

The new building is a welcoming space to spend time in. It is available to all and I hope it continues to be this way.

Encourage greater diversity in the city through services to new groups of users.

Develop the outdoor areas, creating a meeting/ celebratory/music center – especially in the summer months.

Contribute to a strong downtown.

Put in a coffee shop near the program rooms.

Open Sundays all year.

P R I O R I T Y

© Deb Halbot - Through My Eyes Photography

TRANSFORM SERVICE DELIVERY • Maximize use of physical space to reflect diverse community needs • Increase access to services and foster inclusiveness for all users • Collaborate for program and service excellence

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Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

S T R A T E G I C

BE HEARD You think of us as a one-stop-shop for fun learning experiences and reliable information gathering. We couldn’t agree more!

Free, high quality children literacy programs that run throughout the year.

Open up to programs and activities not usually associated with libraries. Dance, theatre...

Ensure history is recognized through events and preserving materials.

Collaborate and connect with community organizations.

P R I O R I T Y

SUPPORT LEARNING AND GROWTH • Create an environment for experiential learning and discovery • Offer life-long learning opportunities • Share our local history

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Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

S T R A T E G I C

BE HEARD You gave us many wonderful suggestions about diversifying our collections. You are keen to access and to learn about new technologies.

The library allows me access to a wide range of materials and satisfies my thirst for reading and knowledge.

Tech help is a great addition. Keep it up as a priority and continue moving forward with great access to technology.

We love the wealth of historical books and documents.

I indulge in reading a stack of my favourite magazines in quiet as my daughter attends an activity or reads a book on a Saturday morning.

It’s part of our lifestyle and weekend routine.

Please expand your e-book collection and downloadable music, movies etc.

P R I O R I T Y

CONNECT PEOPLE TO RESOURCES • Diversify collections and resources (physical and virtual) • Harness and share the potential of current technologies and our unique internet resources • Promote a sense of community in virtual spaces

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Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

S T R A T E G I C

BE HEARD You value the services provided by highly skilled staff and volunteers. You’d like to see us expand our expertise and share our learning with you.

Funding to allow involvement with community activities, work together so that the library becomes a more integral part of downtown/ community life.

I appreciate the knowledge and willingness of the staff to find what one is looking for, whether it is at the Orillia Public Library or an outside source.

Keep the staff up to date on technical training and keep up the wonderful customer service.

I very much enjoyed the beginner’s computer course. I would like to see the library go another step further and offer courses in digital photo arranging.

P R I O R I T Y

ENHANCE OUR CAPACITY • Engage volunteers in a meaningful way

© doublespace photography

• Invest in staff as leaders in delivering service excellence to our community and our customers • Create a multi-literacy learning environment for staff and customers

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Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

S T R A T E G I C

OUTCOMES As we work on our strategic priorities for the next four years, we expect to see and document evidence of these positive changes:

Community awareness about the Library’s services and resources will increase

Membership will be more accessible and more users will feel welcome at the library

The Library will be a destination in support of the Downtown Tomorrow Plan

There will be more Library members and an increase in the use of Library Services

Our Library programming will be perceived as innovative and future thinking

More partnerships will be forged with community groups and organizations to achieve our mutual goals

Library services and resources will be available to more people outside of the library building

The Library will respond to the community’s request for more hours

More community members will develop competencies in digital technology

The community will feel engaged in shaping library services

We will provide our community and stakeholders with evidence of the impact of the Library on the community

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Orillia Public Library | Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020

Perception of the Library as an integral and indispensable part of the community will be strengthened further

36 Mississaga Street West, Orillia, Ontario L3V 7H6 Email: info@orilliapubliclibrary.ca orilliapubliclibrary.ca

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Phone: 705-325-2338