2006 - 2010 Strategic Plan - West Vancouver Memorial Library

West
Vancouver
Memorial
Library
Strategic Plan
2006 – 2010

Contents
Vision, Mission, Values................................................................. 2
Introduction...................................................................................... 3
Supportive Messages............................................................... 4-6
Strategic Priorities.................................................................... 7-8
Our Dreams..................................................................................... 10

Vision
To be recognized as the cornerstone of a literate, well informed and culturally nourished
community.
Mission
The Library is an open, free and welcoming place. We connect people with ideas,
information and cultures of the world. We enrich lives and are relevant and accessible
to all.
Values Statements
The Library, which includes the Library Board of Trustees (Library Board),
Foundation, Friends, Volunteers and Staff, is guided by these values:
Integrity. We are dedicated to honesty and openness in all we do. We are accountable
to the community.
Excellence. We provide outstanding service and embrace new ways of continuing this
tradition.
Mutual Respect. We respect one another, and recognize each other’s unique role and
contribution.
Stewardship. We are responsible to the community to protect and enhance its
investment in the Library.
Intellectual Freedom. We are committed to free and equal access to ideas and
information and to the pursuit of learning, for life. We respect individual rights to
privacy.
2

Introduction
Our goal in developing this Strategic Plan was to chart a course for the Library for the
next five years.
This Plan was developed by the Strategic Plan Working Group whose members included
senior staff, members of the Library Board, the Friends of the Library and the
Library Foundation.
We began in 2004 by conducting two statistical surveys: a survey of customers using
the Library over a one-week period and a random phone survey of West Vancouver
residents.
The Working Group developed a plan for information gathering, which included
educating themselves on topics important to the business and the future of libraries.
A series of focus groups were held with staff and members of the public. In addition,
members of staff presented a series of white papers on various topics.
After processing and discussing this information, the Working Group began working
in earnest on the plan itself. The draft plan was presented to staff, the Library Board
and Council. The final plan was adopted by the Library Board in July 2005.
But this is only a good beginning. It is now the responsibility of senior staff to
develop the annual Business Plan, using this Strategic Plan for direction.
This plan is a living document that will undergo frequent review to ensure that the
Library continues its role as a valued and important hub in the community and grows
to meet the challenges of the future.
3

Message from the
Premier
July 2005
July 2005 July 2005
A Message from the Premier
A Message from the Premier
As Premier of the province of British Columbia, I am pleased to congratulate the staff,
As Premier
administration As Premier
of the province
and of Board the province
of British
of Trustees of British
Columbia,
of the
I am
West Columbia,
pleased
Vancouver I am pleased
to congratulate
Memorial to congratulate
the
Library
staff,
the the staff,
administration
development
administration
and Board
of their
and
of
new
Board
Trustees
Strategic
of Trustees
of the
Plan.
of the West Vancouver Memorial Library on the
development of their new Strategic West Plan. Vancouver Memorial Library on the
development of their new Strategic Plan.
Enhancing the literacy skills of British Columbians of all ages plays a vital role in assisting
Enhancing the literacy skills of British Columbians of all ages plays a vital role in assisting
Enhancing citizens the literacy across the skills province of British to realize Columbians their full of potential. all ages plays This a is vital why role one in of assisting the key goals set out
citizens across the province to realize their full potential. This is why one of the key goals set out
citizens by across the provincial the province government to realize for their the full next potential. decade is This to become is why one the most of the literate key goals jurisdiction set out in
by the provincial government for the next decade is to become the most literate jurisdiction in
by the provincial North
North
America. government America. for the next decade is to become the most literate jurisdiction in
North America.
Public Public libraries, libraries, in concert in concert with initiatives with initiatives such as such LiteracyNow as LiteracyNow and literacy and literacy programs programs in schools, in schools,
Public are libraries, a very are in a important very concert important with part initiatives of part the of provincial the such provincial as literacy LiteracyNow literacy strategy. strategy. and Through literacy Through broadband programs broadband in Internet schools, Internet and and
are a very virtual important virtual reference reference part desks of the desks in provincial our public our literacy public libraries, libraries, strategy. as well as Through as well a single as broadband a single library library card Internet system, card and system, British British
virtual Columbians reference Columbians desks will in have will our even public have greater even libraries, greater access as access well to resources as to a resources single for library learning for learning card and system, personal and personal British development. development.
Columbians will have even greater access to resources for learning and personal development.
I am pleased I am pleased to recognize to recognize the staff, the administration staff, administration and Board and Board of Trustees of Trustees for their for commitment their commitment to to
I am pleased literacy literacy to and recognize their and continued their staff, continued efforts administration efforts to improve to and improve the Board West the of Vancouver West Trustees Vancouver for Memorial their Memorial commitment Library. Library. Please to Please
literacy accept and their accept my continued best my wishes best efforts wishes for success to for improve success as you the as work you West to work Vancouver implement to implement Memorial this new this Strategic Library. new Strategic Plan. Please Plan.
accept my best wishes for success as you work to implement this new Strategic Plan.
Sincerely, Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Gordon Gordon Campbell Campbell
Gordon Premier Campbell Premier
Premier
4

Message from the
Mayor
On behalf of Council, I am pleased to introduce the new
strategic plan for the West Vancouver Memorial Library. A
strategic plan establishes the long-range plans and objectives
of an organization, thus enabling all concerned parties to
focus their vision and set operational priorities. Such a plan
is especially important in the dynamic environment of local
government today.
This plan, which has been reviewed by Council, maps out
an exciting and challenging path for the West Vancouver
Memorial Library over the next few years. The Library
provides excellent service and consistently receives exceptional support from citizens
in our Municipal satisfaction surveys. I know that the Board and the staff of the West
Vancouver Memorial Library look forward to continuing that excellent service over
the life of the plan and building on it as they take our Library into the future.
Ron Wood,
Mayor
District of West Vancouver
5

Message from the
Library Board Chair
On behalf of the Library Board of Trustees I would like to
thank everyone who was involved in creating this plan. The
Strategic Planning Working Group was given the task of
developing it and they sought advice and input from the widest
possible range of stakeholders. The result is a plan that will
guide staff and the Library Board of Trustees in their decision
making in the future. My special thanks to Paul Tutsch who
chaired the working group and kept things moving at a
breathtaking pace.
This plan includes a new Vision and Mission and Values
Statements for the Library as well as Strategic Initiatives for the next five years. All of
these elements affirm the important role played by the Library in the intellectual and
cultural life of the community and the importance of maintaining and developing this
role in the future.
Bernhard Lauser,
Chair
West Vancouver Memorial Library Board
6

Strategic Priorities
Be a Cornerstone of the Community
We will be a community leader.
• Enhance our role as a public place where the community gathers.
• Be viewed as fair, open and trusted.
• Be recognized as the center of knowledge and culture.
• Promote literacy and the literary arts for all ages.
Build a Collaborative Culture
We are committed to a co-operative approach.
• Continue to strengthen the relationship with Council and Municipal staff.
• Foster working relationships between the Board, Foundation, Friends and
Library staff.
• Develop collaborative partnerships with other groups.
• Promote resource sharing with other libraries and become an active participant
in the provincial plan “Libraries without Walls.”
• Realize the goals of the Official Community Plan (OCP) with respect to the Library.
• Pursue opportunities presented by the 2010 Olympics and West Vancouver’s Arts
and Culture Strategy.
Incorporate Technology
We will use technology to improve the way we operate, the services we offer and how we
offer them.
• Expand and establish the Library website as a key access point to deliver
information and library services.
• Continually evaluate emerging technologies.
• Continue to adapt to changing technology while taking advantage of proven
technology.
7

Increase Awareness
We will communicate our value to the community.
• Promote library services.
• Enhance external marketing and communications.
• Enhance internal communications.
• Strengthen relationships with all funding sources.
Offer an Indispensable Service
We will prove our value to the community.
• Provide expertise regarding information and library resources.
• Provide the best collections for reading, listening and viewing.
• Design tailored services.
• Position the library as the best resource for information and knowledge
online and onsite.
• Promote and facilitate individual fulfilment.
Manage Resources Wisely
We will optimize the use of all our assets.
• Protect, enhance and re-organize the Library’s collections.
• Maintain the current warm and welcoming environment.
• Centralize and standardize technological resources.
• Improve accessibility.
• Optimize staff resources.
• Improve the Library’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
• Upgrade building maintenance.
• Partner with organizations
8

Our Dreams
“It may be that those who do most, dream most.” Stephen Leacock
The consultative process of creating this plan generated
many exciting ideas and dreams. Not knowing what the
future holds, and wishing to support the creativity and
vision of those who participated, here is a sampling of their
ideas. These dreams are offered in the spirit of enlivening
the thinking of all who make use of this Strategic Plan.
• Create an archival research centre, in collaboration with the municipality.
• Develop 24/7 services.
• Establish a low-power local radio station, broadcasting local events.
• Provide wireless access to the internet for local residents.
• Bookmark the Library website (www.westvanlib.org) on every home
computer and have it recognized by residents as the single best place to visit
when researching on the web.
• Expand our reach and celebrate the literary arts throughout the community.
• Have the library become a community resource centre to assist residents to
develop supportive relationships and connections.
• Develop satellite libraries to strengthen neighbourhoods and reduce auto
dependency.
• What if the library was part of the community centre site, and we could
improve collaboration with the Seniors Centre and the Community Centre?
• What if the library was located in the heart of Ambleside, to act as an
economic anchor and the place to be?
• Become recognized throughout North America as an example of excellence
and forward thinking. Develop best practices that identify the library as a
leader socially, physically, economically, and environmentally.
Dreams do come true.
10

Published by the West Vancouver Memorial Library
ISBN 0-9738959-0-X
July 20, 2005