The Library has been working with consultants from Saffy, opens a new window, a team of planners, strategists, writers, designers and communication experts. Here is a short message from some of the team at Saffy!
What is a Strategic Plan?
Strategic planning is like making a plan for what a library wants to achieve and how to get there. It's like drawing a map for the library's journey in the coming years. The new plan will figure out our library's new mission (what we aim to do), vision (what we hope for), values (the important things we believe in), and the steps we'll take to reach our goals.
How to get involved?
Our goal throughout the Strategic Plan consultation period has been focused on creating space to combine our big dreams and brainstorm together!
Now that we've gathered a lot of insights, the consultants are working on the final Strategic Plan. We look forward to sharing the results with the community very soon!
In the mean time, take a look at the different engagement activities we have hosted so far.
Even when the Strategic Plan is ready, opportunities for your feedback won't stop there. Bookmark this page, and follow along for future opportunities to participate!
Community Focus Groups
The strategic plan community consultations involved opportunities for underrepresented groups to have more focused conversations, and to provide lived experiences or ideas for the future, in the form of focus group facilitated by consultants from Saffy., opens a new window
Thank you to all community residents and interest group representatives that attended to share their lived experiences and visions for the future!
Focus groups provide an opportunity for community to express insights in a different way, uncovering a variety of stories of diverse library user experiences. Group dialogue allows for residents to collaboratively identify key themes and enhancement opportunities that are responsive for specific, often underrepresented voices.
As a thank you, focus group participants were provided with an honorarium. We appreciate all residents who took the time to participate.
Community Survey
The survey has closed. Thank you for dreaming big with us! Over 1300 surveys were completed!
We look forward to sharing what we’ve learned and how your input shapes the future of the Pickering Public Library.
More input opportunities will be taking place. Stay tuned for the next update!
As a thank you, survey participants had the chance to enter a draw to win a prize. Once the draw has taken place, winners will be contacted directly by Library staff.
Pop-Ups 
Library staff and the consulting team have been talking to people in different places in the city to get early thoughts and ideas about what everyone wants at their library. Setting up community pop-ups gave the team a chance to chat with lots of different people in Pickering – those who already use the library and those who don't.
Thank you to all the community members who shared their stories, experiences, and dreams for the future, during our pop-up sessions!
Pop-Up's Completed:
- Pickering Central Library, Thursday August 24th
- Seaton Community Pop-Up Library, August 30th
- Esplanade Park Courtyard (during the International Day for People of African Descent Community BBQ), Thursday, August 31st
- Pickering Central Library, Wednesday September 6th
- Esplanade Park (during Cultural Fusion event), Saturday September 9th
Strategic Planning Advisory Committee (SPAC)
The SPAC is currently comprised of 18 members from diverse backgrounds including Library staff, Board representatives, stakeholders, volunteers, and residents, and will be selected through an adapted civic lottery process.
During advisory committee meetings, members have the opportunity to hear what Pickering Public Library is up to, provide their input and take information away to share back to their community. Participants will be provided a $75 honorarium for each meeting they attend to thank them and acknowledge their time and contributions to the Project.
Thank you to all those who expressed interest during the open call period!
Project Champions will be selected from the pool of current SPAC members and they act as an extension of the engagement team, supporting the dissemination of the public survey and collecting and reporting back feedback from their networks and community. Project Champions will be provided with a $200 honorarium at the wrap up of the project as compensation for their time and efforts in the additional role.
