2024 Community Report - Flipbook - Page 6
A Message from Our CEO
In 2024, this note of gratitude was sent to us:
I often go to the McCormick Branch (and) I bring my son
to the community centre. There was a librarian and she
helped me a lot. I want to let her know that I passed my
IELTS exam.
She gave me know how, tips, and I think her help is why
I passed. If she is still working there, please tell her that
Jason’s mom passed IELTS exam because of her. The
McCormick Branch is my son’s 昀椀rst library, and you all
helped us a lot. We will always remember you.
We receive lots of feedback at the library, but this
message stayed with me. Stories like this tell the human
side of our work, beyond the number of visitors, the number of items checked out or the
number of people who have participated in our many programs. Stories like this provide
a glimpse into the real, deep and long-term impacts libraries have for the people who
use them. They demonstrate the ways in which the library is evolving to address emerging
needs. They underscore the sustained need for the resources, spaces and human touch the
library provides.
I am grateful to the talented WPL team who show up every day to make these kinds of
impact. They make the library every wonderful thing it is.
Our mission, to provide equitable access to lifelong learning and contribute to the wellbeing
of all, is clear in the projects we pursued this year. From plans for our renovated McCormick
Branch and a new seed library to the Naturespace built by community ideas and our older
adult advisory group, this report highlights how we are helping our community to learn,
connect and grow at all stages of life. I welcome you to follow along with our strategic plan
progress by visiting our website. If what you see inspires you, we invite you to 昀椀nd out how
you can get involved.
With gratitude,
Kelly Kipfer
CEO, Waterloo Public Library
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