Governance

The Blue Mountains Public Library has one governance body responsible for governing our GLAM (Gallery, Library, Archives, Museum), the Board.

The Blue Mountains Public Library Board (“Library Board” or “Board”) is appointed by the TBM Council and is the primary governance body of the organization, and the BMPL employer. The Board has a mandate to the organization and the library, and is defined in the Public Libraries Act and Board By-Laws. The Board establishes a Strategic Plan which further informs priorities of governance and operations for a four-year period.

Additionally, the Arts & Culture Council (“ACC”) is an administrative council which reports to the CEO and has a primary function of jurying art and making recommendations on The Gallery at L.E. Shore exhibits and standards. The ACC has a mandate for The Gallery, as approved by the CEO within their Terms of Reference.

The BMPL is comprised of a Gallery, Library, Archive and Museum (GLAM). At the time of the establishment of BMPL in 1994 and the opening of L.E. Shore in 1995, the organization was an early trail blazer of the GLAM by including a gallery within the building. For this, and the design of the facility, BMPL won awards. In 2016 the Board and TBM further established the organization as a GLAM when the Craigleith Heritage Depot community museum became a part of the BMPL. GLAMs across the province are now understood to be the culture hubs of communities, and more regularly have a single operational body, such as in the BMPL model.
As part of the development of clear governance and operational roles, the Library Board with the Museum Advisory Council and the Arts & Culture Council developed the GLAM Mandates—the purpose and directive of each entity within our system.
G: Gallery
The Gallery at L.E. Shore acts as a centre for arts and culture in The Town of the Blue Mountains. The Gallery has a focus on artists and art forms of The Blue Mountains and our local area, as well as providing education to the community in the area of arts and culture.
L: Library
The Blue Mountains Public Library supports 21^st Century literacies by ensuring equitable access to information in all its forms to grow an informed and connected citizenry. As a community hub we offer programs and spaces which enable people to gather, socialize, learn, and play.
A: Archives
The archives acquires and preserves local documentary objects at the Craigleith Heritage Depot in support of the community museum mandate. The wide range of archival material is a key resource that assists museum exhibition, education and programming as well as individual and community interests in the area of history, heritage and culture.
M: Museum
The Craigleith Heritage Depot community museum provides tangible links to the community, via artifacts, and intangible associations via memory, stories, and folklore. Through conservation and collection management the museum is a steward of local culture and natural heritage. As a designated heritage building, the Depot is not only the community museum facility, but a significant part of the collection.

All Freedom of Information Requests for the GLAM are handled by the Head, Jennifer Murley.

Governance

G: Gallery

L: Library

A: Archives

M: Museum