Libraries and Literacy 2014
Provincial Library Grants Report
Fraser Lake Public Library
The Fraser Lake Public Library is the hub of our Community for a number of reasons:
Ø Fraser Lake and surrounding area which includes two First Nations and 2 smaller communities is comprised of approximately 3,261 citizens.
Ø We do not have any Government Agencies in town so the only access to Government programs is via computer so residents access them through us. IE. Employment Insurance etc.
Ø With the loss of funding cuts to schools we provide access to educational material.
Ø We provide free space to user groups to hold meetings and offer their own niche such as the Fraser Lake Arts Council, community farmers market etc.
Our community has primary industries of mining and wood with a little bit of farming thrown in.
Ø Unfortunately, due to the low price of Molybdenum Endako Mines which was one of our major employers has suspended its’ operations. More than 300 employees were let go.
Many have found jobs elsewhere but they need to commute. They cannot sell their houses to move as no one wants to buy and they can only sell at a loss.
Ø This in turn means less money spent in town and house prices going down.
Ø Fortunately the mill is doing well and some of the mine employees found jobs there.
The Fraser Lake Public Library just completed the first year of our Strategic Plan at the end of 2013. Of major note - We are now open to the public 6 more hours per week and our patrons have access to Wi-Fi.
These were part of our goals to Enhance Services and both have been well received.
We have many users visit the Library during our new hours – especially students as we are now open during their lunch hour.
Those who have their own devices bring them regularly to use our Wi-Fi and while here often borrow as well. We have completed renovations on our lower floor.
Unfortunately, due to a leaky roof we will have to delay renovations to our parking lot and the outside of our building as repairs to the roof have become a priority. This has put a dent in our goal to improve our Facility.
BC Provincial Government Priorities for 2014
1. Increased Connections and Supports for Education Transformation and the BC Jobs Plan.
The following programmes help us work on our goal to Reach out to the Community
The Fraser Lake Public Library is collaborating with the College of New Caledonia (CNC) Vanderhoof Campus to offer CALP (Community Adult Literacy Programme) in Fraser Lake. This programme has become vital to our community as our Adult Learning Centre and our Fraser Lake CNC campus were both closed at the end of June of 2014.
Due to the mine closure to aid the numerous unemployed a number of events occurred: job fairs, workshops regarding applying for Employment Insurance, Resume Writing, Financial Literacy Training etc. The Fraser Lake Public Library also continues to give access to computers for Resume Writing and submitting EI etc.
Our Chief Librarian is also a founding and standing member of the Bulkley Nechako Strategic Workforce Opportunities Team.
This team includes members from Industry, Education, Post-Secondary Education, First nations Education and Training, Independent Business, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures, First Nations Communities, Local Government, Economic Development, Employment, Province of BC and Public Libraries
This brought groups from across the region to support implementation of recommendations within the Regional Skills Gaps Analysis. We will monitor progress of initiatives, recommend priorities and ensure open communication with relevant stakeholders within each community.
2. A Focus on Collaboration and Cooperation
These Partnerships help us continue to reach our goal to Strengthen Partnerships
The Fraser Lake Public Library works with other Provincial Library Federations but mainly with the North Central Library Federation.
Through our North Central Library Federation coordinator we have been able to offer our community a number of programmes that we would not otherwise be able to afford.
These programmes include: Author Readings, Collection Sharing, Bulk Purchasing and Educational Seminars. Through these collaborations we can offer our patrons a variety of programmes which are well attended and leave them wanting more.
3. Community Engagement and Collaboration
These programmes help us to continue to work on a number of our goals – Reach out to the Community –Enhance Services and Strengthen Partnerships
Through collaboration with the Fraser Lake Elementary Secondary School (FLESS 4-12) the Library continues to be an important part of the community by judging Spring Science Experiments as well as listening to the Grade 12 Graduation plans. Our participation in these programmes allows us to get to know our local students as well as promote the Library through our presence and input.
The Library participates in the annual Royal Canadian Legion Poster Contest which again gives us a community presence. The Fraser Lake Public Library collaborates with the Village of Fraser Lake Parks and Recreation department to offer a joint “Read and Recreation” programme. The children enrolled with Parks & Recreation come to the Library during the summer vacation and are given a tour of the Library, Information on how to get Library cards and read stories and do crafts.
We also work with the Village of Fraser Lake and their recreation department to offer a number of other joint programmes. Such as the annual Bike rodeo as well a Safety Literacy Programme which also includes the Police/Fire/Ambulance.
Literacy and use of the Library is our main concern so the Fraser Lake Public Library collaborated with Mouse Mountain Elementary School (K-3) and Fort Fraser Elementary School (K-7) to participate in a number of programs.
These included: Ready, Set, Learn, Welcome to Kindergarten, Drop Everything and Read, Family Literacy Day. The Librarian from the Fraser Lake Public Library attended these programs and read stories to the children and talked about extra books she brought with her. She spoke to the children and their parents about the Library and what we have to offer.
From these programs we always have a number of children and their parents sign up for library cards.
Due to our Collaboration with Success X Six and Make Children First the Library was able to purchase a baby change table which makes it easier for parents to visit the Library and not worry about having to change a baby on bathroom floor or carpet.
They also gave us money to purchase Lego in different sizes for our Lego Club. This club is run jointly with an Infant Development Consultant from the Nechako Valley Community Services Society.
We also continue to have a number of home schooled families meet at least once a week at the Library.
To recap the Fraser Lake Public Library collaborates a lot within the community to ensure we promote our Library profile and that the literacy of Fraser Lake and Area continues to grow.
As we are a small library with few staff we are very proud of the accomplishments that our literacy programmes achieve with the Literacy Grants we receive from the Province of British Columbia.
Fraser Lake Strategic Plan 2013-2016
The Plan is 4 years long 2013-2016 inclusive
Goal 1: Reach out to the community
Increase awareness of library services available to the community.
- Write articles, update and develop website. Create information brochures. Submit articles regularly to Village News
- Have the logo appear with articles, advertising, and brochures whenever possible
- Offer library tours to groups to promote the services (school, college, and other groups)
- Improve existing library programs and events ie. Story Times, author tours, 45 Books in 45 Minutes, Open Mic and other cultural events.
- Advertise events through local media, groups, and businesses
- Develop a senior at home programme by spring 2014
- Establish regular lines of communication with the Schools, College, Chamber of Commerce, Visitor Centre, local media. EG. Phraser Connector, Village News, Rest & Relax, school newsletters etc.
- Offer programs to the public in conjunction with the Fraser Lake Medical Clinic and Northern Health Authority.
- Make downstairs available to local groups to use (free of charge or for a small fee)
Goal 2: Improve Facility
- Develop and implement a plan to extend open hours of operation to the public through our existing budget in Jan. 2014.
- Create a map of library materials (floor plan) and improve signage for ease of locating materials in the library.
- Develop a plan for completion of the renovations downstairs.
- Develop a plan for completion of the renovations in our parking lot and the outside of our building.
- Work with the Village when undertaking these renovations.
Goal 3: Enhance Services
- Encourage staff development and excellent service through continuing education.
- Create and implement a Library Board Development plan and increase the participation by the board.
- Become WI FI Friendly by January 2014.
- Ability to offer E-Books by January 2014
- Implement surveys to users and non – users. Offer prizes as incentives
- Look at Book Clubs
- Promote Library Cards
Collections:
- Increase the funding to improve the collection.
- Examine collection and technology to keep it current and in good repair. Wi Fi
- Speak to Borealis
Goal 4: Strengthen Partnerships
- Maintain a constructive relationship with the Village and Regional District.
- Continue to actively participate in the North Central Library Federation.
- Continue to maintain partnerships with local and regional literacy agencies by continuing to attend meetings and participating in the development of literacy in our area.
Goal 5: Fundraising
- Raise the profile of charitable status.
- Develop an improved friends of the library organization.
Goal 6: Improve operational efficiency
- Train staff so that more than one individual is capable of fulfilling the technical operations of the library.
- Continue to update procedures manual.