Markham Public Library Seeks Community Input for Strategic Plan

Markham Public Library (MPL) is seeking community input to shape its new strategic plan, with an online survey available until October 25, 2023. The survey is accessible in multiple languages, including simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, and Farsi, ensuring broader participation from the diverse community. Participants have the opportunity to win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet as an incentive, with the winner announced following the survey’s closure.

The strategic plan aims to guide MPL’s operations and services over the next three to five years. According to Diane Macklin, MPL’s community engagement director, the library intends to finalize this plan by spring 2026. Previously, MPL garnered insights from over 10,000 individuals through various focus groups and surveys conducted throughout 2025. This extensive feedback process also included an environmental scan of the community and town hall meetings with library staff.

Macklin emphasized the importance of public feedback in identifying the needs of the Markham community. She noted several key themes that emerged from the initial responses: enhancing connections among library users, increasing access to technology and skills training, and expanding family-oriented activities, particularly those for older adults.

“We exist to serve the community, so the only way to really understand and know how to serve them is to ask,” Macklin stated. She acknowledged that the current strategic plan was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that necessitated specific guidelines that are no longer relevant. Thus, a new plan is essential for addressing the evolving needs of the community.

In addition to adapting to changing circumstances, the redesign of MPL’s strategic plan follows recent updates to the board’s global ends policy, which outlines the library’s mission, vision, and target audience. “Everything is moving so quickly in terms of technology and global events in general that it’s hard to imagine what the library or community will look like in 2030,” Macklin remarked. She underscored the necessity for a strategic plan that remains flexible and responsive to future developments.

Residents are encouraged to continue providing feedback through conversations with library staff, participation in quarterly surveys, and by engaging with the library on social media platforms. For more information about the strategic planning process, visit markhampubliclibrary.ca/stratplan.

This initiative represents MPL’s commitment to serving the community effectively and adapting to its changing needs. The library looks forward to integrating public insights into its future direction, ensuring that it remains a vital resource for all residents of Markham.