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Richmond
Public
Library
Strategic and Long Range
Plan 2014–2018

What’s inside.
Message From Board Chair Missions & Values You Spoke We Listened Strategic Roles Implementation Strategies

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A Message From
Peter Kafka, Board Chair
Our library is on the verge of major changes as we redefine traditional library services and offer new
opportunities for lifelong learning.
Through the years, Richmond Public Library has provided an exceptional library experience for our
members. Now, with the speed and delivery of information shifting so quickly, users have higher
expectations of the library, and we need to adapt accordingly. Our core mission of promoting literacy
and lifelong learning has not changed, but how we will achieve that goal has.
Our library is going through an exciting period of transformation where books and other
printed items are available along with a wide–ranging variety of new digital content. Richmond Public
Library will always provide our community with free access to the information that matters most,
in the formats you want. We will continue to be a place where you can borrow traditional library
materials, and also one that provides an assortment of digital and innovative learning materials, plus
information programs that are organized and led by the community, where people can come together
and share knowledge.
During our public consultation, community members openly shared their ideas, hopes and dreams
about the future library. Their collective ideas, vision and passion will be reflected in our future library.
While constant change is considered the new normal, we are still committed to ensuring that the
library remains relevant to people of all ages and interests, by providing a user-driven, interactive and
personalized experience. What comes next promises to be both innovative and inspiring, and we look
forward to sharing an exciting future with you.

Moving into the future, the Library Board recognizes the importance of remaining firmly
grounded in the library’s core values and missions, and focusing on what a public library
can uniquely achieve.
In this respect the Library Board is guided by the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto1
. It
outlines the role and missions of public libraries internationally and proclaims UNESCO’s
belief “in the public library as a living force for education, culture and information, and as
an essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of
men and women.”
Our Missions & Values
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For full text please see: http://www.ifla.org/publications/iflaunesco-public-library-manifesto-1994

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UNESCO Public Library Manifesto
The Public Library
The Public Library is the local centre of information, making all kinds of knowledge and information readily available to its users. The services of the public library are provided on the
basis of equality of access for all, regardless of age, race, sex, religion, nationality, language or social status. Specific services and materials must be provided for those who cannot,
for whatever reason, use the regular services and materials, for example linguistic minorities, people with disabilities or people in hospital or prison.
All age groups must find material relevant to their needs. Collections and services have to include all types of appropriate media and modern technologies as well as traditional
materials. High quality and relevance to local needs and conditions are fundamental. Material must reflect current trends and the evolution of society, as well as the memory of human
endeavour and imagination. Collections and services should not be subject to any form of ideological, political or religious censorship, nor commercial pressure.
Missions of the Public Library
The following key missions which relate to information, literacy, education and culture should be at the core of public library services:
1. Creating and strengthening reading habits in children at an early age;
2. Supporting both individual and self-conducted education as well as formal education at all levels;
3. Providing opportunities for personal creative development;
4. Stimulating the imagination and creativity of children and young people;
5. Promoting awareness of cultural heritage, appreciation of the arts, scientific achievements and innovations;
6. Providing access to cultural expressions of all performing arts;
7. Fostering inter-cultural dialogue and favouring cultural diversity;
8. Supporting the oral tradition;
9. Ensuring access for citizens to all sorts of community information;
10. Providing adequate information services to local enterprises, associations and interest groups;
11. Facilitating the development of information and computer literacy skills;
12. Supporting and participating in literacy activities and programmes for all age groups, and initiating such activities if necessary.

You Spoke
We Listened

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80%Want improvements to their library experience.
40%Of visitors come to the library to use the space for
reading, browsing and studying.
majority
Of users borrow physical materials, but borrowing
electronic material, attending programs and events
and using the space for study and relaxation are also
important to them.
many
Members would like their noise concerns addressed in
some way.
In 2013 we connected with Richmond residents in an extensive
public consultation. Our goal was to gather feedback in order
to improve our existing services and integrate new digital
technologies. These changes will take place while RPL remains
true to the core values and missions of the traditional public
library.
Members of the community provided us with lots of creative
ideas and suggestions about how they would like to see their
future library change and evolve. Comments were offered
about improving library services, programs, collections, special
events and the physical space. The public consultation process
consisted of online surveys, an interactive website, face-to-face
graphic facilitation, one-on-one conversations at community
centres and Richmond Centre Mall, discussions, and workshops.
In all, staff engaged with 6,048 people during this outreach.
In the end, a total of 13,932 surveys were completed. Plus an
additional 1,405 active library users contributed 2,445 ideas on
the website. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us during our
public consultation!
We Heard What
You Had To Say

A Library That Evolves
The Richmond Public Library will continue building on its strengths, responding to its
current members’ needs, and anticipating evolving trends.

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• Expanding popular areas and downsizing others, as needed.
• Establishing an eReader lending collection.
• Expanding our collection of academic materials for kids.
• Developing flexible spaces for individual study, group work and presentations.
• Developing after school drop-in programs for homework help and guidance.
• Developing computer workstations designed for shared group activities.
• Acquiring audiovisual presentation equipment for public presentations.
1. The Refocused Traditional Library
The Refocused Traditional Library will continue to be a free source of lifelong learning, and
will be a hub for creativity, exploration and discovery. Users will be able to borrow books,
magazines, DVDs and CDs for free, as well as have access to a wide assortment of digital
media collections.
Let’s Refocus Our Traditional Library by:
2. The Learning Hub Library
A place to study, work collaboratively and find help for homework assignments, the Learning
Hub is also a place for personal development. It will rely heavily on traditional hard copy
collections as well as digital collections. The Learning Hub Library will require lots of wired
study areas with computers. It will also require flexible rooms that can be reserved for group
study or instruction, virtual tutoring, independent study, or small group presentations, plus
library staff to help.
Let’s Become a City of Lifelong Learners by:
Strategic Roles

A Library That Acts As Interface
Richmond Public Library will help members feel connected and engaged. The library
will be more than just a depository of knowledge. It will also be the means by which to
access, share, modify, and produce information.

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4. The Digital Library
The Digital Library is a virtual place to access all kinds of digital information. It requires individual and group workstations,
high speed Internet, a variety of digital devices for staff training and instructions, and the necessary IT infrastructure to
support it all. This role also encourages interactive activities that stimulate curiosity.
Let’s Go Digital by:
• Growing digital media collections including books, music, video, magazines and newspapers.
• Improving and increasing public computer workstations.
• Expanding high speed Internet and wireless services.
• Developing digital services Apps for smartphones and tablets.
5. The Activity Library
The Activity Library invites the community to come together for information programs that are supported by our book and
digital collections. This requires flexible programming rooms that can be used for group instruction and public presentations.
The Activity Library responds to a growing number of library users who want to organize and lead library programs, where
they can share their knowledge and experience.
Let’s Create a Vibrant and Participative Experience by:
• Focusing programming to better meet the needs of users, especially on popular topics.
• Engaging community specialists to design and deliver programming.
• Developing a group of volunteers to support library programming.
• Improving marketing and promotion of library activities in–house, within the community, and on the web.
• Providing more and better seating and reading areas.
• Encouraging members to view the library as the community’s living room.
• Providing special parent/child reading areas.
3. The Living Room Library
The Living Room Library is the place to read, study or relax in a quiet, comfortable environment. It is well-lit with plenty of
open spaces and offers a variety of seating options.
We’ll Make the Library a More Comfortable Space by:

A Library That Builds Community
The Richmond Public Library will remain a key player in the larger community by supporting local
activities and initiatives, as well as other organizations. The library will increasingly share its spaces
to satisfy the needs of Richmond citizens, and accomodate gatherings like programs, special events
and public exhibitions.

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• Collaborating with partners to develop Create & Learn technology.
• Developing trial space at the Brighouse (Main) Branch.
• Acquiring specialized equipment for community use, such as 3D printers, digital scanners and public presentation equipment.
• Providing easy access to user-created content.
• Creating space to house the Special Collection on Chinese Culture.
• Developing and promoting multilingual collections.
• Working with community groups to offer a variety of cultural programs that inform, entertain and promote cultural understanding.
• Creating small, specialized trial spaces to experiment with this concept.
7. The Multicultural Library
The Multicultural Library provides space for special collections and services that reflect Richmond’s multiculturalism, based on the Dr. Lee
inspired Special Collection on Chinese Culture, and the Ben and Esther Dayson Judaica Collection. This role capitalizes on Richmond’s position
as one of Canada’s most diverse communities.
Let’s Embrace Diversity Around Us by:
8. The Gathering Place Library
The Gathering Place Library is where groups of people can get together informally to talk, learn, and share ideas. It requires public spaces
that balance the quiet, individual activities of the Living Room Library with an informal space where noise is okay.
Let’s Create a Place For Everyone by:
6. The Creative Library
The Creative Library is a place to work and learn collaboratively with like-minded people. Library members will have the opportunity to
contribute, publish and share content. It requires collaborative physical and virtual workspaces, proper equipment, software applications, and
library staff support. The library has the responsibility to store and distribute the information and projects created by community members.
This role creates an opportunity to benefit from the community’s knowledge, skills and experience, and promote social interaction.
Let’s Get Creative by:

1. Develop Synergies & Partnerships
Richmond Public Library will continue to be the primary place in the community that offers free print collections and electronic resources. However, it is by no means the only
organization that offers programs and public spaces. In preparation for providing library services in other community and city facilities, we must explore a variety of outreach programs
and pilot projects, and work collaboratively. Cooperating more closely with community partners will ensure that each organization has something unique to contribute. A range of
possibilities includes: travelling computer labs, outreach storytime programs, expanding homebound services, exploring partnerships with private sector and non–governmental
organizations, establishing new funding sources with grants and sponsorships, and continuing to work with The Friends of the Richmond Public Library.
2. Continue Web–Based Public Consultation
The Your Library Your Future website (www.yourfuturelibrary.ca) was an extremely successful public engagement tool for our members. The momentum of this initiative will be carried
forward allowing our members to stay informed and provide feedback on library services.
3. Improve Operations & Customer Service
The public consultation process provided a large number of useful and practical ideas and suggestions for day-to-day improvements. It is crucial to respond to those contributors with
our appreciation and to take action on the viable suggestions. This initiative has already started with the You Spoke We Listened campaign, which puts into practice 22 operational
improvements suggested by the public during the public consultation.
4. Better Performance Measurements
New performance measurements will be used to highlight the social and economic contributions that Richmond Public Library makes to its community. This analysis will play a key role
in all our current and proposed services. Without these measurements, it is impossible to know whether or not we are achieving our goals. The Richmond Public Library will investigate
other outcome-based library measures to show the community the impact of these metrics. Current statistical data will continue to help the Library Board analyze library lending and
fine-tune its programs and services.
Implementation Strategies

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5. Proof-of-Concept Services
Proof–of–Concept Services test the viability of evolving services. The changing role of the public library requires that we experiment with new service concepts that our members are
asking for. Experimenting with new services on a smaller scale and testing them with our members will allow us to see how successful the new services are, in order to fully implement
them later on. Proof–of–Concept experimentations will allow solutions to evolve and are not dependent on major capital spending or the immediate expansion of the library. The main
advantages to this approach include:
Solution Refinement - Sample services designed to meet future technology trends and user needs will require constant input from our members to improve and refine solutions. In
turn, these solutions can be expanded and put into practice with confidence.
Low Cost - Small-scale, informal experiments allow for making and learning from mistakes at minimal cost.
Improved Understanding - Setting up actual hands-on prototypes that our members can try out allows for better understanding.
Community-Building - Our members will engage in shared, communal activities and their participation will show us the challenges that need to be addressed.
Two of our first Proof–of–Concept Services are The Launchpad and Create & Learn, both of which harness the power of creativity and community engagement.

The Launchpad inspires our community to come together, share ideas and
learn through digital and creative experimentation.
The Launchpad is a collaborative workspace where 3D printing technology, a Create & Learn station and
photo printing and scanning equipment will be available to our members. This innovative space will be
buzzing with energy and provides our members the opportunity to engage through social interaction and
learning. We encourage everyone to learn new and emerging technologies through hands-on demos and
personal one-on-one tutorials.

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Our community’s tool for sharing their creative work.
Richmond Public Library invites our community to come together to create
information and share it with one another. Turn your vision into reality by creating
your own interactive documents and original works using our Create & Learn software.
The learning possibilities are endless, and library members will determine the topics
they share with the community. Geared to the general public, Create & Learn will
encourage social collaboration where individuals can share ideas freely.

Acknowledgments
The Richmond Public Library would like to offer its sincere thanks to its Library Board and the senior library staff for their guidance and support in developing the strategic goals. With their
assistance the Strategic Plan Team was able to map out a clear vision and priorities for the next five years.The Strategic Plan Team consisted of the Library Board, senior library staff, IBI
Group (Gary Andrishak and Oliver Hartleben), and Kim Somerville, Manager of Arts Services, City of Richmond.
Thanks as well to all of our staff at the Richmond Public Library who were pivotal in helping us plan our future direction for success. Our dedicated employees provided valuable and practical
input into this process since they interact with customers daily on the front lines. And special thanks to City Council for funding and supporting Richmond Public Library.
Library Board Members
The Library Board is a group of community volunteers appointed by City Council. They ensure that the expectations and needs of library members in our community are not only met, but
exceeded. As a governance board, they oversee the provision and implementation of library services and resources to Richmond residents. Their commitment to ensuring free access to a
wide assortment of lifetime learning opportunities inspires everything they do.
Simon Tang, Board Vice-Chair Diane CousarMark BostwickPeter Kafka, Board Chair Councillor Linda Barnes
Pat WatsonSusan Koch Kash Chahal Robin Leung

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Mark Ellis
Manager, Information Technology
Melanie Au
Head, Kids Place
Cathy Gettel
Human Resources Associate
Lee Anne Smith
Coordinator, Learning Place Services
Ping He
Head, Information Services
Shaneena Rahman
Coordinator, Circulation & Merchandising
Kat Lucas
Coordinator, eServices
Greg Buss
Chief Librarian & Secretary to the Board
Susan Walters
Deputy Chief Librarian
Senior Library Staff
Exciting changes are coming to your library.
Stay connected by joining the conversation on social media.
facebook.com/yourlibraryRichmond @RPL_yourlibrary
Wendy Jang
Coordinator, Multilingual Services
Shelley Civkin
Communications Officer

Richmond Public Library Branches
Brighouse (Main) Branch
100-7700 Minoru Gate
Richmond, B.C. V6Y 1R8
t. 604.231.6404
Ironwood Branch
11688 Steveston Hwy, Unit 8200
Richmond, BC V7A 1N6
t. 604.231.6468
Steveston Branch
4111 Moncton Street
Richmond, B.C. V7E 3A8
t. 604.274.2012
Cambie Branch
Unit 150 - 11590 Cambie Road
Richmond, B.C. V6X 3Z5
t. 604.273.ABCD (2223)
Hamilton Library Service
Rotunda of the Hamilton Community Centre
5140 Smith Drive
Richmond, B.C. V6V 2W5
t. 604.273.ABCD (2223)
Visit us online!
www.yourlibrary.ca