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2014 Libraries & Literacy Provincial Grants Report
INTRODUCTION
VISION: Where the power of knowledge inspires people to build a better future.
MISSION: We open doors to lifelong learning, information and ideas.
VALUES: We –
- create welcoming spaces that are shared by all
- connect people and ideas
- engage the community
- inspire creativity and innovation
- take leadership in promoting the value of literacy and a love of learning
- advocate for intellectual freedom
STRATEGIC OUTCOMES:
- Expand opportunities for social engagement
- Strengthen literacy supports as a tool to access learning
- Enhance equitable access to learning opportunities
- Improve capacity to support learning and creative experiences
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Surrey is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada. Some quick facts:
- 1/3 of Surrey’s population is under the age of 18
- 1/10 of Surrey’s population is older than 65
- 30% of Surrey residents speak Punjabi at home
- 47% of the Surrey labour force are newcomers
OVERVIEW:
Surrey is comprised of 6 town centres; Cloverdale, Fleetwood, Guildford, Newton, South Surrey and Whalley which includes the City Centre. Surrey Libraries has a branch in each of these town centres, with 2 libraries in South Surrey and Newton. The city is rapidly growing and population is projected to increase by over 300,000 people in the next 3 decades. Affordable housing is driving more newcomers and young families to the city. Similarly, the industrial base of the city is increasing as more firms move away from Vancouver to take advantage of lower land costs and to be closer to their workforce and clients. Creating a new downtown core has been a focus of Mayor and Council and the New City Hall opened beside the City Centre Library in February 2014. Growth in other areas of the city continues to escalate, notably Clayton and Grandview Heights, and preliminary planning for libraries in these areas is underway.
The City of Surrey was recently named as one of the Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2015 by New York-based think tank Intelligent Community Forum. The ICF studies the economic and social development of the 21st Century community with a mandate to educate communities on how to build prosperous economies, solve social problems and enrich local cultures. The work that Surrey Libraries does with digital literacy and education was included in the city’s application for this award.
Indeed, there has been a greater shift to focus on digital literacy and we offer more technology training opportunities. The library is uniquely positioned to contribute to the economic and social well-being of our community by supporting digital inclusion. Our 2014 Literacy Day Report, launched on September 8th, International Literacy Day, highlights some of this work. We see many immigrants and refugees in our branches; therefore collaborate closely with settlement agencies to offer suitable opportunities to assist with integration.Early literacy continues to be a key focus as one out of every five babies born in British Columbia is born in Surrey. With the continued influx of new residents and the development of new neighbourhoods, such as Clayton and Grandview Heights, the library constantlyreviews its planning processes and strategic priorities.
GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES, GOALS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, PARTNERSHIPS
GOVERNMENT PRIORITY 1 – EQUITABLE ACCESS
Library goal that supports government priority– Enhance Equitable Access to Learning Opportunities
Program– Technology Training
Surrey Libraries offered technology training to almost 4500 newcomers and low-income residents in 2014. Our Totally New to Computers is a free hands-on computer class series for beginners offering 6 topics that people register for: Mousing Matters, Computer Basics, Internet Searching, Easy Gmail, Word, Gmail Coaching and Practice. Each of these classes is also offered in Punjabi as almost 30% Surrey residents report Punjabi as their first language.
In addition to basic training, the library also offers special interest topics classes to further develop skills and improve digital literacy. These include: Accessing digital magazines & newspapers, working with photos, an introduction to skype, job search workshops, resume clinics, kids’ computer camps, AV clubs and general drop-in technology help.
Partnerships
Our collective impact is greater when working with partners; indeed over 2000 (almost 45%) of participants benefited from this training in programs offered in collaboration with other agencies. Partners we have worked with include settlement agencies such DiverseCity, Options, Baobab, Umoja and Immigrant Services Society. Through them technology classes have been offered to vulnerable clientele and newcomersin languages such as Arabic, Punjabi, Somali, Korean, Tagalog, Spanish and Mandarin. We have also been able to offer tax clinics and help low-incomers file their tax online. Tax programs have been held in partnership with DiverseCity and Canada Revenue Agency.
Outcomes
A snapshot of some of the comments we receive in the evaluation forms illustrate the impact of this service. As demonstrated, in addition to increasing participants’ confidence, these classes have been pivotal in helping people make positive changes in their life, e.g. look for work, update their skills, combat loneliness and isolation by connecting with family or friends, and helping integrate newcomers to the community.
- The class has been very informative and full of clarity. The teacher has really take us into the world of computers
- These classes make us more confident that we can do so many things to find job
- Really appreciate being able to understand what seemed to be so intimidating. I had been afraid of hitting a key – not knowing what was going to happen. Learning to liberating
- Great basic training session. Motivated me to come back to take advantage of other library programs
- Am having the “Fog” lifted
- I am really happy to learn something about career job searching
- Excited to learn more – this will help me in my job and open up a whole new world to me
- I am already feeling like I’m slowly becoming ready for the tech world
- This is very nice program for newcomers and a good way to meet new people
- Good help, I like learning new info on hidden job market
- This is an excellent computer program, really knowledgeable and got new skills
GOVERNMENT PRIORITY 2 – COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION
Library goalthat supports government priority– Improve capacity to support learning and creative experiences
Program - Community Services Expo
The Community Services Expo is an event held in collaboration with the Office of Surrey North Member of Parliament(MP) to increase awareness of local service providers. 2014 was the 3rd consecutive year the event has been held at City Centre Library. The library hosted over 20 organisations, each provided with a booth, which was staffed and filled with resources. The Expo included four mini-workshops, on topics such as Pensions and Old Age Security (by Service Canada) and the Nexus program (by Canada Border Services Agency).The general public was invited to attend the Expo to find out about the various community services available to them.
Partnerships
Working with the MPs’ office was instrumental in the success of this program. A further 20 organisations participated, including Sources Community Resource Centre, DiverseCity, Surrey Urban Mission, Legal Services Society, and Options Community Services Society.
Outcomes
Approximately 350 people attended the event. In addition, 10-15 people attended each of the mini-workshop sessions. The desired outcome was to increase the awareness of local services agenciesand we were able to accomplish this by sharing our space and staff to improve service. Agencies reported an engaged public with many questions being asked at the booths. Several new library cards were registered that day as a result of people specifically attending the event.
GOVERNMENT PRIORITY 3 – COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PLANNING
Library goalthat supports government priority– Expand Opportunities for social engagement
Program: Fleetwood Diwali Celebration
The Fleetwood Diwali Celebration is an annual community event delivered by Surrey Libraries in partnership with the local Punjabi Women’s Group.In previous years, the Diwali celebration resulted from a partnership with the local Member of the Legislative Assembly’s (MLA) Office. Library marketing and promotion, coupled with the MLA’s invitations to his constituents, was very successful. The event was well-attended from its inception. (Note: this event was specifically non-political).
In 2014, this program was offered on October 18th in collaboration with wider community partners. Programming was further developed and enhanced, media coverage expanded, and with the event now well established in the community,wemoved into a larger hall on site. Highlights of the event include an opening song by women’s group members, children’s dance demos, a live Diwali quiz, henna table, cultural dances and Indian food. With community expectations as high as they are now, we continue to fine tune this well-loved, highly successful event.
Partnerships
The event originated as a respond to a specific community interest. Thanks to community partners’enthusiasm and dedication, the library is able to offer such a popular and responsive program. Our partners include Fleetwood Punjabi Women’s Group, DiwaliFest, City of Surrey Parks and Recreation, Gambling BC and Shan-E-Punjab Arts Club.
Outcomes
The event brings a lot of attention to our facility and attracts more people to the library. Almost 300 people attended last year, and many were turned away due to the facility capacity! From the 100 evaluation forms gathered, people commented on having learnt more about Diwali, ‘everyone joining together in the room’, positive aspect of many inter-generational families participating – from babies to great-grand-parents, and a general appreciation of the library in hosting this community event. This program exceeded expectations in meeting both the government goal of ‘community engagement and planning’ as well as the library’s outcome to expand opportunities for social engagement.
Comment from staff from Gambling BC:
“I’ve attended 3 different Diwali events, this one was the best! Very organized, well attended and most educational. I enjoyed experiencing the Diwali celebration from a different religious and cultural perspective. I enjoyed the trivia game as it was very educational. Each year this event gets better and better. I look forward to what new additions can be made for the next year.”
SUMMARY
It has been an exciting year at Surrey Libraries! There have been many opportunities to work with community partners as they see the library as a trusted leader in the community. We continue to enhance our partnerships to extend our services and worked with over 60 agencies last year. Outreach opportunities have expanded through the myriad of City festivals – it’s often a challenge for the library to be present at all these festivals; however, we make best efforts. We also endeavour to be community responsive, e.g. a successful Chinese New year celebration was hosted at City Centre library with over 1000 participants and media representatives. Our focus is on helping to build a strong city; addressing early childhood literacy; creating equitable access to marginalized groups such as low income residents, seniors and refugees; addressing digital literacy; and helping integrate newcomers and immigrants.
Challenges continue to be the escalating growth in the city and adequately meeting residents’ informational and recreational needs. We have been encouraged to think creatively in delivering library services. When investigating new programs we ensure they are responsive and we seek community partners wherever possible to help leverage resources.
Many of the programs outlined in this report could not have been made possible without the support of the provincial grants. We are thankful and hope the report reflects their successful impact in delivering responsive services aligned to the government’s priorities.