Vancouver Island Regional (VIRL) is embarking on an ambitious and exciting journey to develop a new strategic plan to guide us from 2023 through 2027. To do this right, we know how important it is to receive meaningful feedback and insights from important stakeholders, like you.
This October, VIRL will undertake a robust and comprehensive public engagement campaign to help shape our path forward. Over the course of October, we will conduct interviews, focus groups, surveys, and workshops in every corner of our vast and diverse service area.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU THIS OCTOBER
Take part in a Community Workshop
In these two-hour Workshops, you’ll provide input into VIRL’s future direction.
Can’t make an in-person workshop? Sign up for a virtual session instead!
Sign up for a Focus Group and go deep on the issues with us
In these 90-minute virtual sessions, we’ll explore the same themes as the public Workshops, with a format designed for deeper insight and discussion.
Fill out our online survey
This short survey is open to everyone and will help round out our public feedback. Please share it with your network!
- The survey launches on October 4
STRATEGIC PLAN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is VIRL developing a new strategic plan?
Our current Strategic Plan was slated to guide us from 2016 to 2020. It needs to explanation that 2020 was a year of great challenge, globally and for our library system, and to ensure our next plan reflected community needs and aspirations, and was not overshadowed by the pandemic, the Board of Trustees decided to extend the current plan for two more years.
Much has changed in the world and in the library sector since 2020. 2023-2027 strategic plan will build on past work while seeking to reframe and refocus our vision, mission, values and strategic priorities around the communities we serve. Issues of equity, literacy, digital access, the cost of living, compounding crises and regional partners will all shape the next plan and our future direction.
What are some of the key areas of focus for the strategic plan?
Part of why we’re doing public engagement is to help flesh out and identify our areas of focus, but some themes we know will resonate and inform our next plan include:
- Inclusivity and diversity
- Safety
- Accessibility
- Connections
Community centred
What is your engagement goal?
Our goal is to engage the communities we serve and interested parties to gain their insights related to our vision, mission, values, and priorities for the library so that the community voice can directly inform VIRL’s Strategic Plan.
How will public feedback be reflected in the plan?
We will work with members of the public and other impacted parties to ensure your concerns and aspirations are reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how public feedback influenced our decisions.
Can I participate in more than one engagement opportunity?
Yes! You are encouraged to attend the workshop in your community and if you would like to delve deeper, you can sign up for a focus group, and/or complete the online survey.
Can I fill out the survey even if I also attend a Workshop or Focus Group?
Yes! Especially if you feel you did not have an opportunity to voice your concerns and aspirations, or if more ideas come to you.
When will the final plan be deployed?
Our plan is to have the 2023 – 2027 Strategic Plan approved in principal in the winter with deployment commencing in the spring.