2024 - 2027 Strategic Plan

Idea Exchange is in the process of developing a Strategic Plan to guide our work between 2024 and 2027.

Our Community Survey closed on Sunday, September 10, 2023, and we are grateful for the detailed and insightful feedback provided by community members. We received overwhelmingly positive responses about Idea Exchange. Many in the community expressed appreciation for having the opportunity to provide input as part of this process.

Key takeaways from survey responses included:

• Idea Exchange ranks very highly on its quality of services, staff, and the attractiveness of the facilities.
• Among the most favourable scoring, the community reported:
  • 95% satisfaction with collections and as a place to read;
  • 80% on access the Wi-Fi and/or Internet;
  • 75% a welcoming and exciting place to bring their children; and
  • 75% as a place where they can learn and discover new things, offering services not available anywhere else.
• There is a larger role for Idea Exchange to play in educating the public on important societal topics.
• Positive affirmation that Idea Exchange needs to continue to think strategically in how we meet the needs of all residents.
• When asked what statements resonate about Idea Exchange, the top three selected were “It’s amazing it’s all free,” “There’s something for everyone,” and “I feel very comfortable there”.

Many who responded shared their concern about the uncertain funding and tight budgets libraries and galleries face. As one person wrote: “A challenge is always convincing the municipal government to see Idea Exchange as an essential service—it plays many roles to fill in the gaps within the community to address what people need. It needs to be seen as a leader in the community that is worth funding.”

Earlier in October, the Canadian Urban Institute, in consultation with the Canadian Urban Libraries Council / Conseil des Bibliothèques Urbaines du Canada (CULC/CBUC), released their report OVERDUE: The Case for Canada’s Public Libraries. The report closely relates to the topic of funding for public libraries. It details the significance of public libraries for Canada’s post-pandemic recovery, competitiveness, and resilience, calling for renewed and diversified investment.⁠

We continue to evaluate survey results and the comments provided, as we move onto the development of our new Strategic Plan.