Key Messages, October 2026

Type
Key Messages

Organizational Excellence

  • 2026 Action Plan: The Board received an update on the 2026 Action Plan, with all key results reported as on track.
  • L.E. Shore Memorial Library Expansion Fund: The Board authorized reinvestment of the $19,234.10 GIC upon maturity on October 25, 2026, for up to one year at the best available competitive interest rate offered by TD. The CEO was also directed to explore investment options for the additional $303,000 held in the expansion fund, prioritizing preservation of principal and maximizing returns, with recommendations to be presented at the November Board meeting.
  • Board Legacy Document: The Board approved the 2022–2026 Board Legacy Document, as amended, and directed the CEO to incorporate it into the incoming Board’s orientation.
  • Board Recruitment: Recruitment information sessions are scheduled for October 20 and November 3, 2026, led by the Board Chair and CEO, with Board member attendance encouraged.
  • CEO Performance Evaluation: The Board established the 2026 CEO Performance Evaluation Committee, including Chair Julia Scott and members Carol Sackville-Duyvelshoff and Kristina Wichman.

Community Hubs

  • L.E. Shore Expansion - Design RFP: The Board participated in a co-development exercise to identify key architectural and design priorities for the L.E. Shore Memorial Library and Gallery expansion. The CEO will consolidate the Board’s input into a streamlined document to guide the design consultant, with opportunities to refine priorities as the project progresses. The Board directed the CEO to work with Town staff to finalize and issue the Design RFP, with Board feedback due October 23 and release targeted for early November 2026.

Empowering Services

  • Q3 2026 Report Received: Q3 2026 Report: The Board received the Q3 2026 Report, highlighting strong growth in collections use, programming participation, and community visibility. Key highlights included:

    • Collections: Physical circulation increased 4.5% year over year to 13,569 transactions, while digital circulation grew 3.1% to 11,846, demonstrating continued demand for both formats.
    • Programs & Participation: BMPL delivered 157 programs, an increase of 19% over Q3 2025, with 3,696 participants, up 34%. Youth and summer-student involvement helped deliver STEM activities, Storytimes, Board Game Club, and other peer-focused programming. Signature events included sold-out Stargazing at Carr Observatory and a full house for Inuit artist and stone carver Kuzy Curley.
    • Community Visibility: Social media reach increased 54% from Q2 to 149,461, while media mentions rose 30% to 52 during the quarter.
    • Archives & Cultural Map: Staff digitized 235 archival items, bringing the 2026 year-to-date total to 1,476. The Cultural Map added 16 sites, supporting the continued promotion of local cultural heritage.
    • Public Technology: Public computer sessions increased 25.1% year over year to 1,888. Wi-Fi figures require caution due to lost logs and estimated data resulting from summer network issues.