Publications and Policies
2022-2026 Strategic Plan
Our current Strategic Plan outlines our strategic directions and goals for 2022-2026.
Our Strategic Directions:
- Bridge People and Resources
- Enhance Services
- Demonstrate Our Value
- Grow Our Capacity
Library Policies
Accessibility in the Library
Addressing Violence in the Workplace
Advocacy
Board Orientation
Children and Youth in the Library
Circulation
Collection Development
Community Information
Donations and Gifts
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Financial Control and Oversight
Food and Drink in the Library
Intellectual Freedom Statement
Interlibrary Loans
Local History
Makerspace
Meeting Rooms
Partnerships and Sponsorships
Planning
Prevention of Workplace Harassment and Discrimination
Privacy, Access to Information, and Electronic Messages
Proctoring
Purpose and Duties of the Board
Programming and Outreach
Truth and Reconciliation
The Library and Political Elections
Annual Reports
Our 2025 Annual Report highlights the many ways Orillia Public Library serves and strengthens our community. But how do we measure the broader value of what the Library provides?
The VOLT (Valuing Ontario Libraries Toolkit) provides one way to answer that question.
The VOLT (Valuing Ontario Libraries Toolkit), is a framework developed by an external organization in partnership with the Ontario Library Service. VOLT uses local data and standardized research to measure the value libraries create in their communities.
To calculate OPL's impact, the toolkit considers:
- Library use, including circulation, visits, and program attendance
- Access to resources, including books, e-books, technology, and other materials
- Staff expertise and support, including training and assistance
- Public spaces, such as study areas, meeting rooms, seating, and computers
- Local community factors, including Orillia's population, distance from major urban centres, and socioeconomic data
The toolkit then calculates the economic value OPL creates across seven areas:
- Education
- Culture
- Inclusion & Wellbeing
- Entertainment & Leisure
- Economic Development
- Civic Engagement
- Community Space
These values are combined to calculate OPL's total annual economic benefit.
What do the numbers mean?
Economic benefit per household
Total economic benefit ÷ number of Orillia households
Return on municipal investment
Total economic benefit ÷ municipal funding
The result? The VOLT analysis estimates that OPL generates more than $22.5 million in economic benefit annually—providing approximately $1,461 in value per household and $7.70 in community benefit for every $1 invested by the municipality.
The results demonstrate that investment in Orillia Public Library creates significant value for the entire community.