About StoriPowys

StoriPowys is the collective term for library, museum and archive services managed by Powys County Council. This includes 14 public libraries and 4 museums across Powys, as well as a central archives in Llandrindod Wells. In addition, we support 4 community-run libraries and work with a range of local and national partners, as well as a team of dedicated volunteers, to provide opportunities for wellbeing, learning and culture in our physical and digital spaces.

 

Vision

To be a leader in innovative cultural services that reflect the diversity of our communities, where culture and knowledge connect people and places so that we can learn from our past, embrace our present and shape our future.

 

Mission

To create a place where exciting, enriching, and innovative things happen through connection with culture in Powys. Building strong communities is central to our aims, as is celebrating diversity, and making a dynamic contribution to climate initiatives. 

To deliver on this promise, and through our investment in culture, StoriPowys will develop inspiring encounters with books, art, artefacts, and information for local and world audiences. We will achieve this through our key objectives:

 

Enrich and Inspire

  • Develop a vibrant programme of bilingual events, activities and exhibitions both digitally and across all our sites to promote literacy, learning and enjoyment in cultural participation

  • Promote opportunities for volunteering, work placements and apprenticeships, and offer these opportunities to gain skills, build confidence and share knowledge

  • Develop workforce capacity and identify the skills, behaviours, knowledge and expertise to deliver our ambition

  • Better understand and respond to the aspirations of under-represented groups in Powys and help address cultural diversity and equality

  • Build on our museum, library and archives policies for collections development and acquisitions, including access to digital resources, eBooks and online resources

  •  Understand and address the impact of COVID-19 on Cultural Services, by rebuilding audiences and supporting recovery for a more resilient and sustainable future

 

Explore and Collaborate

  • Work more closely with health providers to ensure our health and well-being activities add value and reach those with health and well-being needs

  • Work more closely with education partners to develop and target support for children with reading and literacy and family learning

  • Work with individuals and communities to find ways to ensure they are more closely involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of what goes on in their local provision

  • Collaborate with youth providers to ensure countywide inclusion in culture for young people

  • Explore opportunities for connecting with arts organisations

  • Further work around community delivery/third sector

 

Evolve and Innovate

  • Continue to develop and implement a comprehensive programme for team leadership and workforce development, empowering staff and management to be agile and flexible to meet local and service needs

  • Improve the financial performance of our services, and agree branding and marketing that promotes Powys’ museums, archives and libraries as cultural destinations for local, national and international visitors.

  • Further develop our spaces as platforms for community participation and activity

  • Promote and develop digital resources and infrastructure that can help inspire and facilitate wider access

  • Ensure existing venues are energy efficient and accessible, by encouraging a more sustainable approach including behaviour change, energy efficiency, and carbon off-setting

  • Use culture to foster an active love of nature that helps more people engage with the environment in a sustainable way