The Milton Public Library (MPL) is planning for the future and they want your opinions!
They have developed a draft Library Master Plan for 2025-2029. This follows the Service Delivery & Organizational Review that was conducted in January this year. More than 2000 Milton residents provided their feedback in that phase of the process.
This next step is about reviewing what’s been recorded, and seeing if anything is missing.
Speaking with CEO and Chief Librarian of the MPL, Sarah Douglas-Murray, she explains why this Master Plan is so important for the community.
There are four strategic pillars when it came to designing this draft:
1 – Telling Our Story
- Objectives:
- Deepen MPL’s engagement with the community and develop a stronger understanding of the unique needs of each library branch’s catchment area within the Town.
- Celebrate and amplify MPL’s successes while demonstrating the value of libraries to the community.
2 – Building Strong Infrastructure
- Objectives:
- Proactively plan for future population growth by ensuring appropriate physical and technological infrastructure.
- Create inclusive, welcoming and safe spaces for all members of the community.
- Explore innovative alternative service delivery models that extend service beyond MPL’s existing physical locations.
3 – Creating a Robust and Resilient Organization
- Objectives:
- Provide a framework for strong governance.
- Ensure staffing levels throughout the organization can support MPL’s operational requirements now and in the future.
- Invest in staff training and professional development especially as it relates to technology.
- Collaborate with the Town of Milton to address human resource needs including workforce development.
4 – Delivering Quality Services
- Objectives:
- Leverage MPL’s community-led approach to service in the creation of inclusive, equitable and responsive programming for all members of the community.
- Collaborate with academic, municipal and community stakeholders for the fulfillment of MPL’s vision, mission and values.
- Use data and metrics to build both print and digital collections that meet community needs and keep pace with Milton’s population growth.
- Explore and implement innovative models and ensure Milton residents have access to exceptional library service.
It’s all about growth for the MPL. A big focus over the last few years has been technology, and that was evident in the feedback earlier this year. Douglas-Murray says they’re putting an emphasis on ‘Maker Spaces’, with a dedicated Maker Space at the Beaty Branch on Fourth Line in Milton. They’re also working on access to technology devices, including 3D printing, Apple devices and Discovery Kits.
They’re also looking to deliver more services to the community, and that begins with staffing and workforce. Training will be focused on so that employees can continue to provide more engagement opportunities for visitors.
Milton currently has three library branches: Main, Sherwood, and Beaty. Douglas-Murray says engagement is at a growing rate with all three branches. They’re on track to have over 625,000 people through their door this year, which is a 20% increase from 2023. That likely means a fourth branch will be opened before the end of the decade.
If you provide feedback on the latest Master Plan draft, you’ll be entered into a draw for a $200 gift certificate to the FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton. All you need to do is complete the survey and provide your email address before Sunday, November 3rd.
You can read the Master Plan draft here.
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at News1013@LocalRadio.ca. If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
