Board and Staff | Muskoka Lakes Public Library

Join the Muskoka Lakes Public Library Board!

Interested in helping guide the future of your library? We're looking for community members to serve on the library board for the upcoming term - November 2026 - November 2030.

What the Board Does?

Governs under Ontario's Public Library Act and helps set policy
Sets strategic direction, mission, and priorities
Oversees the budget and finicial accountability
Hires, supports and evaluates the CEO
Advocates within the community and to the Township
Attends monthly meetings at the Port Carling Branch

Who Can Apply?

Anyone who is 18 years or older and
A Canadian Citizen or permanent resident and
Resident of the municipality or local service area where the library operates
No prior board experience is required - a willingness to learn and a passion for the library is what matters most!

Next Steps...

The Township will launch the application on their Committee Recruitment page in the coming weeks! Once the applications open on the Township website we will update it here as well!
Application will close in mid to late November and then Council will select the members of the committees and Boards

If you have any questions in the meantime please feel free to reach out to MLPL CEO Andrew Whitfield - andrew.whitfield@mlpl.ca or 705.765.5650

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Township of Muskoka Lakes council appoints Library Board members for a four-year term. The Library Board is responsible for running our library system. As per the Public Library Act, libraries in Ontario are under the management and control of a public library board. The board has the authority to create policies about the operation and services of the library.

Library Board members for the 2022-2026 term: (left to right) Heidi Berninger - Vice-Chairperson, Barb Bridgeman, Marg Buddo, Doug Crichton, Valerie Duke - Chairperson, Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre, Deborah Stokes.

Muskoka Lakes Public Library staff (left to right) Nancy, Candice, Andrew Whitfield (CEO), Rachel, Maggie, Lindsay

Strategic Plan 2025-2028

The Muskoka Lakes Public Library Board is thrilled to the approved 2025-2028 Strategic Plan with the community! Building off the 2021-2024 strategic plan, the MLPL will continue to Enrich, Engage, and Evolve. This plan was adopted by the Board at the February 11, 2025 meeting. We encourage you to review the document and reach out if you have any feedback.

Mission Statement

Promote access to a diverse and sustainable collection of library services that evolve with the changing needs of the people of Muskoka Lakes. See Policy GF-01 - Mission Statement

Vision Statement

To encourage the growth of minds, community, and enjoyment, now and for future generations. See Policy GF-02 - Vision Statement

Statement of Values

Freedom – We welcome everyone to share the love of literacy and learning while embracing freedom of thought, beliefs, and expression

Service Excellence – We act with integrity to ensure confidentiality and accountability in providing library services to each other and the community

Innovative Leadership – We celebrate imagination and curiosity to build innovation in our Library and in our work with community partners.

Muskoka Lakes Public Library is an open, friendly, respectful, safe and welcoming environment.

See Policy GF-03 - Statement of Values

Meetings

Library Board meetings are open to the public, and are held in the Heritage Room at the Port Carling branch, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Check the Library calendar for all upcoming meeting dates. To view an agenda before a meeting, please contact CEO Andrew Whitfield at 705-765-5650 andrew.whitfield@mlpl.ca.