Kimberley Public Library2012 Provincial Library Grants Report
Contact Person: Karin von Wittgenstein
Email:
Telephone: 250-427-3112
It is with pleasure that I take this opportunity to report on some of the initiatives, services,programs and partnerships that best exemplify the work we have accomplished at the Kimberley Public Library this year.
The staff, Board, and volunteers continually strive to develop and improve services for our library users.With the evolving needs of our community being foremost in our innovative approach to service and program delivery, we set the following goals for 2012.
Community Outreach and partnerships
The staff at the Kimberley library continues to seekout opportunities for community outreach and creative partnership opportunities.
The library has been represented at many community meetings and planning sessions, including Youth engagement, Literacy meetings, Social Services collaboration planning and New Immigrant services planning sessions.
In 2012, the Kimberley Library developed and nurtured the following partnerships:
College of the Rockies
The Kimberley Library and the College of the Rockies have partneredin organizing and providing high quality workshops for Writers and illustrators.Other workshop opportunities focusing on literary interests such as publishing will also be considered.One successful Mystery writersworkshop was completed in the Fall of 2012, and the next workshop is scheduled for April 2013.
Art Centre 64
A spotlight on the connection between literary and visual arts has been well received.Over 90 people attended a packed art gallery for a unique and dramatic presentation by two actresses, one being the Author Cathie Borrie – Voiced her unique perspective on Alzheimer’s and dementia. “galvanizing a positive, enlightened change in society’s perception of the experience of dementia.” This event also featured a local musician who provided violin accompaniment.
Author Reading and Art Display event “Beyond the Batholith” was also a unique combining of literary and visual arts. ArinFayes “revealing glimpse of our literary artists, through the eyes of a visual artist” included paintings of well known Kootenay authors.
A creative 2013 event has been planned.
Local theatre group
Kimberley Theatre group presentation for our Summer Reading club 2012 was well attended by youngsters as well as their parents and passersby. Because of the success of this event, the theatre group is creating an original play which will match the 2013 Summer Reading Club Theme.
Middle School collection development collaboration and Poetry contest involvement
In consultation with the Teacher librarian at McKim, we add items that are appropriate for the library which also support the curriculum.Teachers and Teacher Librarian at McKim Middle school are enthusiastic about the poetry contest that our library has organized for the past few years.Teachers coordinate their poetry units with the contest, coinciding with National Poetry month and students submit some wonderful work. We are looking forward to the 5th Annual Poetry contest in 2013.
190 students and teachers at McKim Middle Schoolenjoyed a presentation by illustrator Mike Deas. We had several excited youth come into the library after his presentation, looking for his books and other resources on creating art.
Selkirk High School
Collection development collaboration, author readings, illustrator presentations and poetry contest involvement.
Selkirk High school includes grades 7-12. Because of the varied ages that use the library, it is more challenging for the librarian to add resources that may be inappropriate to a younger audience. Directives are more stringent, which sometimes results in unfilled user requests. The public library purchases through collaboration with the librarian to ensure the needs of our community are met. The creative writing department students are well represented in the poetry contest entries.
Independent School
In response to conversations regarding a lack of French language resources in the community, we added a number of books that serve the library and the school.
Poetry contest: outreach to entire community from age 10-up
This raises awareness of library and of the importance of poetry. Many poets have submitted their work. In collaboration with the Friends Group, Selkirk High School Creative writing department, McKim Middle School Library, this popular event encourages over 80 poets to write poetry and submit their work each year.
Work BC, CBAL – Adult Literacy
Kimberley lost its Employment resource centre in 2012, and the library has become instrumental in supporting jobseekers in this community.There was an immediate increase in people needing help with online application processes, printing of resumes and cover letters and to access job search resources. Collaborating with Work BC and Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL), the library now houses a part time staffed kiosk for Kimberley jobseekers. Adult Literacy requirements and Job Search requests are now easily referred to the in-house kiosk during their hours of operation. Our internet, printers, copiers and fax are utilized.
Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Kimberley
Involvement with Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Kimberley has provided the mutually beneficial opportunity for the Library to be involved with new community initiatives. This year we suffered the loss of a major tourist event that has been a regular festival for 39 years. Although this was a great loss, it has created an opportunity for new event planning. The library sits as a key partner in developing a new series of events that will help engage community and enhance tourism.
Baby Goose
In coordination with the local Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy coordinator, the Baby Goose groupwas again invited to attend a session at the library. Library orientation was provided, and our services were highlighted.
Outreach programs
Outreach continues to be an important service to shut-ins who would otherwise not be able to access library resources. In consultation with these patrons, we supply materials delivered after consultation with these clients. Currently we regularly serve 8 outreach clients.
GardenView Seniors Village, The Pines Senior care facility, Kimbrook Seniors Community
The Library continues to collaborate with the seniors centres in our community, providing resources to seniors who can no longer utilize library services in person. At each site, we supply and maintain a revolving supply of resources that are relevant to the needs of the residents at each centre.These centres have different requirements due to differing levels of care. Resulting from discussions with the residents and administrators at each site, books by favorite authors are supplied. Large print and audio books are also supplied as well as the equipment required to enjoy the different audio formats.
Seniors Helping Seniors
In collaboration with Kimberley’s senior’s activity coordinator, our Community Access Program Intern provided computer, e-reader and social networking training to 119 people, most of whom were seniors.
Supporting community mental Health
We have been successfully participating in thoughtfularrangements to provide volunteer opportunities to people with challenges that need a positive re-introduction into society or the workplace. The confidentiality and supportive workplace we provide has proven to be valuable. The feedback from counsellors and participants has been extremely positive.
Youth Room Upgrade
Goal: Create a more current Youth room.The Focus of the Youth room upgrade in 2012 was to provide updated resources and furniture to make a comfortable space for youth that included opportunities for learning, social engagement and interaction.
The furniture that was added to the Youth room is colorful, comfortable and inviting. The Wii station offers a different dimension to the available resources, creating a more comfortable and homey feel to the area.
We have seen an increase in young adults using the library. Since this upgrade was completed, there has also been a considerable increase in young people using other areas of the library that were typically used mainly by adult patrons in the past.
A side advantage to adding Graphic Novels to our collection has been to discover that not only young people appreciate these resources.
Increased circulation of Young Adult materials has been noted, also indicating success in this initiative.
Improve technology
Goal: Continue to improve technology for patrons and staff.
Our library has purchased newIPads for the Children’s area. We have not purchased the necessary mounting brackets for these units yet, so they have not been installed. The install will coincide with the children’s area upgrade that we have in our goals for 2013, which will see a significant improvement to this area.
Quality Collection, Relevant to today’s Electronic Landscape
Goal: Continue to maintain and upgrade our quality collection, staying current with the changes in technology and patron demands.
Our collection of electronic resources has grown considerably, now offering Library-to-go e-books and audio books, Zinio Magazines, and RB Digital Audio books.Circulation of these items indicate initial success, and the statistics indicate increasing usage of these resources. Patron remarks have been extremely positive. It is fairly common to hear expressions of excitement and gratitude for these resources. Zinio is seen as a remarkably valuable service to many.
Welcoming Library Seating
Goal: Create a welcoming seating area by Platzl viewing windows.
The furniture has been purchased, although it was delayed by a few weeks and will arrive soon in March 2013. The area is expected to be very welcoming, and encourage laptop users to enjoy the window seating area.
This upgrade will also add to the curb appeal of the library entrance.
PRIORITIES FOR PROVINCIAL FUNDING
Sharing of library resources
We continue to enjoy resource sharing and collaborative ventures with other libraries and participate in Federation initiatives.
Sharing of library resources (through direct patron requests and BC OneCard) continues to be one of our most valued services. Our library continues to share resources with other libraries as an active lender, and welcomes all BC OneCard patrons, supporting the common goal of enhancing library service to all British Columbians.
Collaboration
Collaboration with other libraries is ongoing, mainly through Kootenay Library Federation. Purchasing resources with the KLF discount through United Library Services continues to save dollars.
We share KLF resources (theme kit rotation) which has enhanced our story-time program.
We continue to collaborate with all libraries, across Canada and internationally when needed.
The Kootenay Library Federation Director, Joanne Richards, enables seamless collaboration among the Kootenay libraries and beyond. Projects such as One Book One Kootenay (OBOK),and KLFAuthor toursare very valuable to our library. Author events are well attended, and voter involvement has proven that patrons are reading and eager to share their opinions of our Kootenay Authors through the OBOK process.
Community partner collaborations ashighlighted above.
Community engagement
Survey
We continually connect withthe public in different ways to gain up to date information on what the services, programs, and resource requirementsare. A Community wide survey was distributed in the Spring of 2012. A paper copy was mailed to every taxpayer in the City of Kimberley Database, thanks to the City for mailing it with their quarterly utility bill. The survey was also made available online, and hard copies were displayed inthe library. Patrons were encouraged to voice their opinion and be heard. A reminder/alert was also included on the bottom of each library due date receipt.
The 2012 survey is attached at the end of this report.
Feedback Forms
Feedback forms are always available at the library. Patrons with suggestions at the circulation desk are encouraged to leave their contact information, and ideas are passed on to the Director. A copy of our feedback form is attached at the end of this report.
Word of Mouth
Involvement in community meetings, planning sessions for youth involvement, New Immigrant Welcoming Communities sessions, Literacy meetings, Chamber meetings, communications with key contacts in schools, and consistentlyraising awareness in the community that we are here to listen, to respond and to consider the needs of all citizens.
Supporting Early Reading
Our library supports early reading as an essential foundation skill in the following ways:
Story-time
Twice per week the library provides story-time for 3-5 year olds. This program is very popular, usually booked in advance to maximum capacity. Excellentfeedback from parents has been received regarding the benefits of this program to many aspects of their children’s development. There were 595 visits to story-time in 2012.
SummerReadingClub
Each summer, the library hires a student to provide exciting reading club activities for different age groups from June to August. In 2012, we collaborated with a local Theatre Group. Their original production of “The Three Little Pigs” was attended and enjoyed by all ages. 152 children participated in the Summer Reading Club activities.
Ready Set Learn for Kindergarten new-starts
The library is always present for the school registration & information day (Ready-Set-Learn) for new Kindergarten students. Marysville Elementary School and Lindsay Park Elementary school were attended, and in 2013, the Independent School will be included in scheduled events for the day.
Food Bank
In collaboration with the Food Bank and Friends of the Kimberley Library, Each Christmas hamper is supplied with a new book for the children that live in these families. Feedback from the families through the Food Bank has been favorable.
Family Literacy Day celebration
In collaboration withthe Literacy coordinator for Kimberley (CBAL), we hostBaby Goose at the library. The visit included a library orientation tour, refreshments, singing and story-time, for a group of 18 moms and their babies.
Books for Babies
In collaboration with CBAL, Friends of the Library, Kootenay Library Federation, Libraries and Literacy, and Selkirk High School sewing group, Kimberley is able to provide a wonderful Welcome bag for each new infant resident of Kimberley. Approximately 100 bags were provided.
School Presentations and events
Author and illustrator presentations at elementary schools were provided again in 2012. One author at Lindsay Park Elementary (Sylvia Olsen) also provided some insight into First Nations Culture. 82 people Attended at this event, and the feedback from those who attended was very positive. This event was in cooperation with the Kootenay Library Federation who organized and subsidized the tour.
Friendliness and excellent customer service, approachability and sincerity
We strive to ensure all patrons feel welcome and happy that they have come in to the library. We believe this to be a vital way to support early reading, just keeping the youngsters happy to come back to the library. Happy, smiling little patrons is a reward we seek.
Value to community
In addition to statistics,feedback from community members is a key indicator as to whether we are fulfilling our roll in the community successfully.
I have included a sample of comments that we received on our 2012 survey to the question: Do you think the library is valuable to the Kimberley Community? Why?
“Yes. It gets us out of our homes and into our community. It is part of our social life and for some provides human contact which is becoming more and more important in these days of detachment.”
“Of course it is – an absolute necessity. Especially for those who are not victims of the computer”
“Yes. A community place available to everyone regardless of income or age”
“Yes...It encourages and enables people of all ages and financial brackets to read, listen and learn”
“Absolutely, yes. –source of info plus reading materials – a quiet, warm spot to work, meet others, hangout.”
“Absolutely. It instills important values in children. It allows older populations to have a place to come and read. It allows people of all ages to share in the value of reading – especially low-budget families.”
“Yes, Yes, Yes! It is expensive to buy books but it makes education/knowledge/learning for life affordable”
“Extremely valuable – my only access to books and magazines as I no longer purchase new books – many people (such as I) have no home computer and use the library frequently.”
“Yes, reading is learning. I would never move anywhere where there is no library.”
“Yes very much so – it was always a safe place for me to go when I was young and feel it still is for kids now”
“Yes, Libraries are the most valuable asset of all cities, towns”
2012 Survey
Feedback form
1 | Page