Community Engagement Values Statement
The Vancouver Public Library expresses and embodies its entire community’s strengths, interests, and needs. In this regard, VPL will involve its diverse communities in service planning and delivery; recognizing community members know best what their needs and interests are.
VPL believes that meaningful and relevant service planning and delivery are best achieved through collaboration and shared decision making with community members. Sincere collaboration requires library staff to be open and accessible to all community members.
To do this, library staff strives to engage community members, both library users and non-users, in spaces where the community members feel most comfortable.
Accordingly, VPL staff will actively:
VPL believes that meaningful and relevant service planning and delivery are best achieved through collaboration and shared decision making with community members. Sincere collaboration requires library staff to be open and accessible to all community members.
To do this, library staff strives to engage community members, both library users and non-users, in spaces where the community members feel most comfortable.
Accordingly, VPL staff will actively:
- Involve community members in discussions about their unique assets and specific needs, and how the library can support them.
- Include information on community engagement strategies in all project proposals.
- Budget sufficient funds, time, and staff for community engagement in service planning activities.
- Share decision making, outcomes, and evaluation with community members using effective and meaningful approaches.
- Document and report on how community members were involved in service decisions.
Communities are diverse and ever-changing. Engagement techniques and strategies require ongoing efforts, review, and evaluation.
Approved by Library Board: June 23, 2010
Related Policies: Diversity and Inclusion Statement and the Customer Service Statement
