Kingston is lucky having dedicated and community-minded citizens. Twelve Kingstonians offered to join the Community Engagement Committee of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library system and help in the work of making sure that more community voices are reflected in Library Board decisions.
The members of the KFPL Board welcome Julia Bryan and Jane Neil to the Committee. Of the library, Julia wrote: “Libraries bring all members of our community together in shared spaces for learning and self-discovery.” Access to the library’s public space and the links to the wider community it provides and how that is managed, Jane wrote, “is a challenge needing to be addressed so that the library can serve all its constituents in a safe and inclusive manner”.
The two community members for the committee were chosen through an open application process publicized on the library system’s website and in all branches. The applications could be submitted electronically or at any library main desk. Those who wrote responding to the Code of Conduct were sent an invitation to apply for positions, as well.
Twelve applications were received and reviewed by the committee using the applicants’ descriptions of their experiences with the library and previous community involvement. Committee members reached a consensus at the June 15th committee meeting. Their recommendation was approved at the June 22nd board meeting.
Now the real work of the committee can begin: to develop a process that makes sure that the various communities within the City of Kingston and in Frontenac County are given even more chances to share ideas and opinions about their libraries in the future. The first application of the developed process will be to allow us to hear many voices, helping us to develop a new Code of Conduct for our libraries.
The Terms of Reference of the Community Engagement committee provide mechanisms for input from guests at committee meetings. Information on committee meetings and agendas can be accessed on the KFPL web site (bottom of the homepage – https://www.kfpl.ca/about-the-library/community-engagement-committee.
