Attention I.L.L. users: Please do not issue any new interlibrary loan requests until the national Canada Post strike has ended. This is the mail service the library uses to ship books between libraries. Thank you!
Attention I.L.L. users: Please do not issue any new interlibrary loan requests until the national Canada Post strike has ended. This is the mail service the library uses to ship books between libraries. Thank you!

AGILITY PLAN 2024-25

Sharing knowledge. Fostering community. Enriching lives

The Perth & District Union Public Library has served the Town of Perth and the Townships of Drummond/North Elmsley and Tay Valley for more than 150 years. The library’s role in the community has evolved over time and continues to do so.

This agility plan sets out the Library’s mission, vision, desired outcomes and priority action items for the next two years, from 2024-2025. It will be renewed every two years. The purpose of the plan is to ensure the library continues to adapt in response to changing community needs, while delivering exceptional programs and services, and offering the best possible value for contributing municipalities and library users alike.

Progress on these strategic priorities will be reviewed twice a year by the Library Board (June/November).

The library is more equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible.

The library fosters community and is seen as an open and welcoming place for all.

Actions

Break down barriers to accessing library and digital services:
review and improve process of getting a new library card and renewing a library card
update library’s collection of lending technology
do an accessibility audit of the library’s physical space and the library’s website; implement any changes that can be made

Invest in library collections:
analyse results of community survey and/or run a collections survey to determine what our community would like to see more of in the collection
do a diversity audit of the library’s picture books and OverDrive (eBooks & eAudiobooks) collections. Incorporate a diversity audit into the library’s collection plan / weeding cycle.
increase budget for library collections by 5%
purchase targeted collections based on community needs and the results of the diversity audit

In collaboration with the library’s Indigenous Advisory Circle:
provide appropriate library services for the Indigenous communities in our area
educate our community about Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples and help non-Indigenous peoples to actively engage in reconciliation

Support our friendly, skilled and knowledgeable staff by:
supporting monthly staff team meetings
implementing tech basics training for all staff
providing bi-annual training opportunities in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion, mental health, etc. Specifically, training on bias, inter-cultural compentencies, available community services for referral, de-escalation and bystander intervention, team-building and self care.
providing and regularly updating a community resources list in paper and digital formats (e.g. where to go for help)
introduce debriefing with another staff member as a standard procedure following any kind of situation and/or incident
implement annual staff satisfaction survey

Everyone in our community is aware of the services of the library. It’s exciting to have a library card!

Raise the profile of the library in the community. 

Actions

Build on the library’s existing monthly marketing strategy to increase awareness of library services by:
reviewing poster locations and ensuring library puts up monthly posters in locations highly used by community
listing highlighted monthly events on local calendars such as Town/ship websites, TheHumm, LanarkLeedsToday.ca, and social media
increasing engagement on the library’s social media pages by sharing posts about library services and ‘behind-the-scenes’ on a regular basis
advertising our services, particularly digital services, online via Google and social media

Build on the library’s partnership with area schools by:
continuing the library’s school visit program
providing library cards to all children in kindergarten and grade 7, particularly those schools that are not within walking distance of the library
offering Ontario Public Library Week bookmark contest at all area schools and in-library; provide ‘kit’ for schools and teachers to participate that incorporates promotion of library services
promoting library cards to families; everyone has a library card, availability of ‘family links’ to connect a parent’s card to a child’s card

Offer at least one ‘after-hours’ program each year that brings non-library users into the library (e.g. Library After Dark fundraising concert)

Start a library champions program; provide training and advocacy package to supporters. Empower library champions to deliver informal presentations to community groups and to promote library services at community events/locations.

Advocate the value of the library to the public via an open house

People feel connected to the library and have an improved quality of life.

The library is a hub for social connections and offers programs that meet our community’s needs.

Actions

Focus on programming that meets the needs of the community:
continuing core, popular, library programming such as Babytime, Storytime, and tech tutoring
Community-led programming: encourage community members and organizations to pitch and lead programs at the library or online.
Offering or encouraging adult programming during evening and weekend times for working adults
Intergenerational programming: offer at least one program per season that is for all ages

Meet our community “where they are” and offer programs and services in rural areas and virtually:
continue to build Maberly Hall satellite location
expand to second satellite location in Drummond/North Elmsley
continue to offer virtual options for existing programs
invest in digital collections; increase budget for eBooks and other resources by 5%

Support the work of other community organizations by:
promoting their services and programs on the library’s bulletin boards and social media
offering free space for community-led programs that are free and open to all
partner with local community organizations such as The Table CFC, ConnectWell, Local Immigration Partnership, etc, to connect people to the services that they need, either through referral or in the library

Implement new statistics collection to evaluate success:
program evaluation
Library use statistics: add categories of use for room bookings (e.g. # of community organizations), “how did you hear about the library?” for new members, # of community service referrals as part of quarterly question tracking, “what brought you to the library today?” sticker board as part of quarterly question tracking

The library is funded to meet current and future operational needs.

Our funders support the value of library staff and services and a plan is in place to meet the diverse and growing needs of our community.

Actions
Using the Ontario Library Service Valuing Ontario Libraries Toolkit, determine the library’s social return on investment and incorporate data into presentations to stakeholders and champions toolkit
Advocate the value of the library to our municipal funders via Tri-Council Networking meeting and annual reports to Council
Advocate to the provincial government for an increase to the Public Library Operating Grant and support for Ontario’s Digital Library by meeting with our local MPP and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Support the library’s ongoing fundraising:
Undertake bi-annual fundraising appeals in May (Summer Literacy) and October (Canadian Library Month, Giving Tuesday)
introduce adopt-a-book campaign
create print and web campaign to build awareness of bequests or in memoriam giving opportunities
Implement the goals laid out in the library’s financial plan and 10-year capital budget as follows:
Undertake library building community consultation
Undertake a feasibility study to complete a concept design for a library expansion or renovation, including opinion of probable cost for construction. Ensure accessibility accounted for.
assessment and remediation of second story metal roof
improve attic ventilation and insulation
update meeting rooms (Common/Frizell)
Expand the Library Specialist – Adult and Senior Services role from a part-time to full-time role to meet current needs and expand community outreach and programming.