In 2019, DCPL determined the need for an assessment of its talent management practices. At the same time, the Customer Experience department conducted 276 in-person interviews across the agency to understand service delivery. Both projects had a common outcome – a strong desire for a purpose to guide our work, and a set of values to live by. DCPL decided to embark on the long journey of culture change by starting with creating a new purpose and new core values to set the foundation for all future culture work.

The Purpose and Values and our leadership training were co-created by staff representing all levels, roles, and divisions. Every word was painstakingly chosen.

DCPL’s purpose: To be a cornerstone of community progress by activating dreams with knowledge, access, and hope.

DCPL’s values: Give and Get Respect is how we treat each other. Be a “We” is how we work together. Invest in Us is how we grow as an organization. Welcome Everyone is how we serve our customers. Stay Rooted is how we advocate for our communities.

This work catalyzes the ongoing work of cultural change, charted on a 2-year agency-wide roadmap including developing behaviors for each value and embedding the values into performance management. Even more important than specific deliverables, however, is the renewed sense of possibility and energy around who DC Public Library is and what it does.