Your Library, Your Voice
We Want to Hear From You: Library Strategic Plan Engagement
Welcome to the Whistler Public Library’s Strategic Plan Engagement page! We’re thrilled to invite you to participate in shaping the future of your community library. This community engagement process is an exciting opportunity for residents, visitors, community partners, and other organizations to share their thoughts, ideas, and aspirations as we chart the course for the library’s next chapter.
How to Participate:
We want to hear from you! There will be several ways to get involved starting on Tuesday, April 9:
- Click here to take our online survey to share your thoughts and ideas.
- You can also visit the library for a paper copy of the survey!
- Participate in one-on-one interviews for a deeper conversation.
- Attend upcoming community events to engage in-person.
- Friday, April 12, 4 to 6 p.m. – Pop-up at Youth Centre (for grades 8 to 12)
- Sunday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Your Library, Your Voice Event at the library
- Tuesday, April 30, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Pop-up at Meadow Park Sports Centre
- Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pop-up at Bayly Park
- Connect with our project liaison (Nadine White – nwhite@whistlerlibrary.ca) to share your feedback directly, or to book an interview.
Timeline:
The engagement period will run from April 9 to May 10, 2024. Following this, our team will carefully analyze all input and insights received to inform the development of our updated strategic plan. We anticipate presenting the plan to the Library Board in late June 2024 and sharing it with the public in September 2024.
About Us:
Located in the heart of Whistler on the shared, unceded territories of the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation, the Whistler Public Library has been a cornerstone of our community since 1986. Our commitment to providing exceptional service and fostering connections remains unwavering as we evolve to meet the changing needs of our diverse and vibrant community.
What is a strategic plan and why we’re updating it:
A strategic plan is a roadmap that outlines an organization’s long-term goals, objectives, and strategies for achieving them. It guides the organization’s actions and decisions over a defined period.
The Whistler Public Library last updated its Strategic Plan in 2023 with a Strategic Bridging Plan. This bridging plan was implemented over 18 months to transition to the new strategic planning phase, bringing us to June 2024. Prior to that, the library operated under the “Inspire Wonder” strategic plan from 2017 to 2021, which served us well during turbulent times.
We are updating our strategic plan to ensure that it accurately reflects the evolving needs and priorities of the Whistler community. This includes revisiting the purpose, vision, and values of the library, as well as establishing new priorities to address current challenges and opportunities.
1. What is a Strategic Plan?
A strategic plan is a road map outlining an organization’s long-term goals, objectives, and strategies for achieving them. It serves as a guide for the organization’s actions and decisions over a defined period.
2. When was the last time the library updated their Strategic Plan?
The Whistler Public Library’s comprehensive strategic plan was last updated in 2018. This simple and agile document was crafted to guide and inform the library’s decision-making processes over the subsequent four years. However, plans for updating the strategic plan were postponed in 2021 due to the disruptions and challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the library embraced an operational 18-month Strategic Bridging Plan. This plan was devised to assist staff in reaching a point where they could approach the future with renewed perspectives.
3. Why is the plan being updated now?
The library is updating its strategic plan to ensure that it accurately reflects the evolving needs and priorities of the Whistler community. This includes revisiting the purpose, vision, and values of the library, as well as establishing new priorities to address current challenges and opportunities.
4. How can I participate?
There are several ways to participate:
1. Share your perspective by taking the online survey.
2. Participate in a one-on-one interview.
3. Visit us at an upcoming community event.
4. Visit the Whistler Library project page for timely information and updates.
5. Share your insights and feedback with the project liaison.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone who wants to have a voice in this project has the information they need to participate and can engage with us.
5. When can I participate?
The active engagement period will be open to all members of the public and will run from April 9 to May 10, 2024.
6. Where can I get more information?
For more information and updates on the strategic planning process, you can visit the Whistler Library project page or contact the project liaison directly. Additionally, you can stay connected with the library through its website and social media channels for timely information and announcements regarding the strategic plan engagement.
7. Who is involved in the Whistler Library strategic planning process?
The library’s strategic planning process is inclusive of all members of the public who share an interest or are affected by the outcome. This includes the Whistler Public Library staff, the Board of Trustees, community members, organizations, partners, and key stakeholders.
8. What topics or areas will the updated strategic plan address?
The updated strategic plan will address various topics, including but not limited to livability, accessibility, inclusion, equity, diversity, reconciliation, community engagement initiatives, partnership opportunities, community learning, support for families, youth and seniors, and efforts to address the climate emergency.
9. How will the community’s feedback and insights be incorporated into the strategic plan?
The library staff and Board of Trustees are committed to ensuring that the updated strategic plan reflects the voices, values, and priorities of the community.
10. What is the anticipated timeline for the completion of the updated strategic plan?
The initial draft updated strategic plan is anticipated to be presented to the Library Board in late June 2024 and shared with the public in September 2024. However, this timeline may be subject to adjustments.
11. How will the success and impact of the strategic plan be measured in the future?
The library is committed to identifying ways to measure the success and impact of the strategic plan in the years to come. This may involve monitoring community feedback, conducting evaluations, and engaging in ongoing dialogue with community members, organizations, partners and with Lil’Wat Nation and Squamish Nation.
12. Will there be opportunities for ongoing involvement or feedback after the strategic plan is finalized?
Yes, the library intends to maintain open lines of communication with the community even after the strategic plan is finalized. This may include periodic updates, feedback sessions, and opportunities for ongoing collaboration and input on library initiatives and programming.
Why We’re Engaging:
As Whistler continues to evolve and grow, so must our library. Following the 2023 Strategic Bridging Plan, the library is embarking on a more fulsome process to revisit and update its strategic plan, by revisiting the purpose, vision, and values of the library as well as establishing priorities to ensure they accurately reflect the community the library serves.
Our Approach:
Our engagement process is rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and collaboration. We’re committed to listening to a diverse range of voices, including youth, older adults, Indigenous community members, newcomers, and everyone in between. Your input will shape every aspect of our updated strategic plan.
