The Moose Jaw Public Library board has developed a new 2023-25 strategic plan that it hopes will guide how it interacts with the community and the services it offers.
Council reaction
“I’m really excited to see that the strategic plan is finished and (that) your goals are admirable. And I can hardly wait to see how those roll out in the next three years,” said Coun. Crystal Froese, adding head librarian Gwen Fisher provides great leadership and the library is one of the most used venues in Moose Jaw.
Mission and vision
The library’s mission is to connect people, ideas and different ways of knowing by providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming space, the plan says. Further, it aims to be a learning organization that provides equitable access to a collection of resources and programs, supports intellectual freedom and nurtures belonging.
The library’s vision is that the venue will be a vibrant community centre of discovery and learning for everyone.
Beliefs
“Libraries make communities better by acting as centres to connect people with each other and with information, art and history. We believe that knowledge increases our well-being, provides opportunities, improves literacy and allows for the creation of new ideas,” the report says.
The library’s three main beliefs include intellectual freedom, accessibility, and learning and memory.
With intellectual freedom, the library says it supports, defends and promotes that concept, while it endorses the Canadian Federation of Library Association’s position on this topic.
With accessibility, the library works to make information available to everyone by reducing barriers and upholding individuals’ rights to access data and ideas without fear of reprisal.
With learning and memory, the organization is dedicated to collecting resources and information to generate learning opportunities and steward cultural memory in the community.
Core values
The library’s four core values include curiosity, belonging, connection and care.
Curiosity is focused on promoting learning and fostering curiosity by providing access to ideas and connections to others, potentially creating a transformative effect on library users.
With belonging, the library says it values and promotes belonging for residents and staff by allowing people to “self-identify and find their way” through the organization’s services.
Further, the library strives to be community-led and upholds respect, dignity and equity. It also acknowledges past barriers to service and aims to include stories and perspectives from Aboriginal, black and equity-seeking groups.
“We are interrelated in our community and acknowledge the importance of relationships, collaboration, community and partnerships,” the strategic plan said.
The library connects people to resources and information by providing access to materials, the internet and each other. The library is also a place where the community can build connections.
With care, the library aims to steward intellectual freedom, accessibility and learning. It carries this responsibility with awareness and consideration. It also strives to be solutions-focused and intentional in its services and approach.
Goals
The library’s six goals include:
- Establishing the library as a hub and meeting place, attracting and serving everyone, embracing people with different perspectives, encouraging respectful dialogue and generating a “buzz” about its programs and services
- Completing planned and budgeted equipment replacement to make the space usable and inviting
- Highlighting the work of the library and its team locally, provincially and nationally while generating pride in and value around the library
- Managing social issues such as homelessness and substance disorder in ways that are healthy and effective
- Building a strong, diverse, effective staff team who are trained, prepared and compensated
- Strengthening and building community partnerships and building visibility so the library is an essential organization
Priorities and strategies
The library's nine priorities and strategies include supporting belonging, improving safety, enhancing programming, effectively using the space, improving internal communications and working environment, developing and supporting staff, promoting and protecting intellectual freedom, improving visibility and reach in the community and generating resources.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, May 8.
