About the Library
The Barrie Public Library (BPL) serves a population of 150,000 residents in Barrie, Ontario, and 21,000 residents in Oro-Medonte. We have three locations that offer extensive collections, programs, resources, services, and technologies to meet today’s library users’ growing and evolving needs (Downtown, Painswick and Holly).
2023 Annual Report
View our 2023 Annual Report to check out the highlights from the year across our 3 locations! For the best viewing experience, please open it in full screen mode.
Our Mission, Vision, and Values
Our Mission
Discover Opportunities
Our Vision
Barrie Public Library...where community comes together.
Our Values
Service
We care about and respond to the needs of our community and our colleagues. We have unique interests, experiences and passions, and we bring these to work every day. We engage with our community and welcome everyone.
Curiosity
We are interested, inquisitive and committed to exploring new ideas and considering fresh perspectives. It is our curiosity and creative thinking that will ensure we continue to succeed. We use our imaginations to exceed expectations.
Sharing
We believe in collaboration, inclusion, and diversity. Through partnerships and community engagement, we seek opportunities to cooperate and build connections. We share.
Strategic Plan
Our current Strategic Plan outlines our strategic directions and goals for 2020-2024.
Our Strategic Directions
- Awareness
- Connections
- Inclusion
- Relevance
- Culture
Economic Impact Study
We completed an Economic Impact Study in 2018 to determine the impact that the Barrie Public Library has on our community. View the 2018 Economic Impact Study.
In 2018, we served a population of over 162,000 people, employed over 100 staff, and offered over 6,800 hours of library service. Our patrons borrowed more than 1.2 million physical and digital items, and more than 36,000 people attended our programs.
Every dollar invested in BPL generates a value benefit of $4.05.
- $2,818.84 per branch hour
- $856.52 per active cardholder
- $543.88 per household
- $206.21 per resident
Land Acknowledgement
The Barrie Public Library is a gathering place where community comes together; to share stories, to explore new ideas and to consider fresh perspectives. It is through this unique position in our community that we support and promote truth and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
The Library, and we as individuals, have a deep desire to bring about change in our community and move forward together as diverse and inclusive peoples.
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg [Ah-nish-NAH-beg] people. The Anishnaabeg [Ah-nish-NAH-beg] include the Odawa [Oh-DAH-wah], Ojibwe [O-jib-we] and Pottawatomi [boh-tah-WAH-toh-mee] nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. This land is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The Library has a responsibility to raise awareness of the history and ongoing impacts of colonialism on this land, and to help celebrate the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples, nations, and cultures. In our shared spaces, inside and outside the Library, we will listen to and amplify Indigenous voices, inspire greater understanding, and connect people to one another and to this land.
We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous history and culture and are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect.