2026 to 2030
In June 2025, the LiRN Board of Directors came together for a strategic planning retreat to reflect on our organization’s purpose, values, and future direction. This collaborative session marked a pivotal moment in shaping the next chapter of LiRN’s evolution. Together, we developed a vision and mission that will guide our work and reaffirm our commitment to advancing legal information services across Ontario.
Vision
To advance knowledge and access to justice across Ontario through innovative and collaborative legal information services.
Mission
LiRN empowers Ontario’s courthouse libraries. We collaborate to deliver responsive, high-value services that support legal professionals and the public.
Building on this foundation, the Board affirmed four strategic priorities that will shape our goals and initiatives over the coming years:
- LiRN is focused on the needs of courthouse library users, both now and in the future.
- LiRN supports libraries and librarians.
- LiRN collaborates to provide legal information and library service, prioritizing excellent and equitable service.
- LiRN makes evidence-based decisions.
This strategic plan is currently in draft form and will continue to evolve as we refine our language and implementation approach. The finalized plan, along with detailed implementation strategies, will be formally launched in Fall 2025. We look forward to sharing the full plan and working together with our partners and stakeholders to bring this vision to life.
2020-2025
LiRN embarked on its first strategic planning process in the fall of 2020. The Managing Director met with representatives of each of the libraries. We surveyed librarians for information about their libraries and for their thoughts on future-proofing the courthouse library system. We also surveyed members of the bar for their thoughts on libraries. We researched other courthouse library systems in Canada, with emphasis on British Columbia, Alberta, and Québec as the jurisdictions most like Ontario in size.
With the knowledge gained from these activities informing the discussions, the Board participated in a blue-sky brainstorming session with representatives from the libraries, FOLA, and the LSO. That was followed by a facilitated Board discussion to hone in on our strategic priorities. The Board shared early draft of the Strategic Plan with shareholders and took that feedback into account while finalizing the plan.
LiRN’s Strategic Plan is grounded in four priorities:
- LiRN is focused on the needs of courthouse library users, both now and in the future
- LiRN supports libraries and librarians
- LiRN collaborates with others working to provide legal information and library service prioritizing trust and respect
- LiRN makes evidence-based decisions
The Board has set out strategic priorities for each. Download the one-page plan to learn more.