Jennifer Rowan expects to drive a wee bit more and cycle only a little less now that they have OLiVe, the Outreach Library Vehicle.
Rowan, Greater Victoria Public Library adult services and program co-ordinator, regularly tours community events and outings on the Bikemobile library.
She expects OLiVe too, to be a popular fixture at summer markets and community gatherings around the region, such as the Oak Bay Tea Party.
“Anywhere where there’s a gathering,” she said Feb. 26 when OLiVe, Maureen Sawa, GVPL CEO and library board chair Kevin Murdoch (also an Oak Bay resident and councillor) came with the cupcakes and balloons to the Oak Bay branch.
OLiVe – which delivers traditional library services as well as a wifi hotspot – was funded by the Victoria Foundation and Friends of the GVPL and toured all 10 branches over three days to launch the GVPL’s new strategic plan.
Among the anticipated initiatives to connect people are OLiVe and a new mobile website.
“OLiVe will deliver library services to 10 municipalities and reach thousands of people each year,” said Murdoch.
“Our new mobile site brings the library’s vast collection to anyone with internet access, on any device. These are types of service enhancements we are proud to offer. They demonstrate we are responsive to changing needs, and they underscore the creative ways we extend the reach of our library system.”
Key priorities are to create great library spaces to meet unique user needs – in person and through multiple e-service channels; engage passionate library members, funders and partners to expand the library’s reach and impact; inspire discovery through programs, collections and services that enhance literacy and lifelong learning; and lead with support for innovative ideas, service models and governance.
Visit gvpl.ca for a full list 2016-2020 strategic plan that was launched during Freedom to Read Week Feb. 21 to 27 that encourages Canadians to defend intellectual freedom.
“Libraries are at the vanguard of public access to information. It is foundational to who we are as a library system, now and in the future,” Murdoch said.
“Our plan supports the many ways GVPL contributes to literacy and lifelong learning in Greater Victoria.”
Access the new mobile-friendly site at m.gvpl.ca.