- Government Priority: A focus on equitable access to library services for all British Columbians, including efforts to extend library service, both physical and digital, to under-represented populations (ex. Aboriginal, print disabled and immigrants)
Strategic Plan Goal that supports the priority: providing programming that is targeted to meet community needs.
September 2015, in partnership with the NCLF and School District 91 Nechako Lakes, we were pleased to offer “Hoop Dancer – Teddy Anderson, to over 150 students of many different cultural backgrounds. Terry is a professional hoop dancer offering a cultural performance that was beautiful, inspiring and interactive. Teddy’s message of unity, fellowship and peace aligned with the schools mission statement which is “to offer a positive, caring, learning environment that encourages respect, participation and opportunities to challenge individuals to reach personal goals”
Outcomes:
Principal Libby Hart, emphasised to the children ranging in grades for K to 7, how Terry’s message meet with the goals of their school. Students and staff alike took part in this performance of storytelling. During Terry’s individual storytelling of each dance all individuals in the gym had eyes and ears on the performer. A great way to start a school year.
Strategic Plan Goal that supports the priority: to identify groups with a goal of encouraging library use and improved literacy to First Nations, Low income families.
Program/and or services that aligns with this priority:
Partnering with the Vanderhoof Kinnets, the library using funding from our literacy grant provided a book and CD kit to families with children under six through the Santa Anonymous program. A unisex title was chosen and fifty kits were ordered through our literacy grant, each kit included information pertaining to library programs and hours. These items were delivered in December to low income families; each package contains gifts for the appropriate age groups and non-perishable food items.
Outcomes: Unfortunately we receive no feedback from this project; Kinnets have also expressed the same outcome. On the library information sent out, a library e-mail is made available for recipients to make comments, to date no have been received. It is our hope that in doing this partnership, we will reach families whom may use our library and our services in the future.
- Government Priority: increased supports for education transformation. Libraries, as key partners in providing supports to students to students and parents outside of the classroom, should continue organizing and collaborating on a community-based, personalize learning opportunities for all learners which allow them to realize their full potential in reaching personal goals.
Strategic Plan Goal that supports the priority: supporting literacy in partnerships with other agencies/avenues.
The fall of 2015, with the support of `reading without rules` grant from the NCLF, the library purchased 19 paperback comic strip and graphic novels for the ``Space``. The `Space`is a place in our community that youth may use as a drop in centre after school. Staff at the space provide counselling, homework help, and job searches for participants, it is partnered in part with our local community college CNC. The majority of these youth are considered at risk. The donations of these paperbacks are to encourage literacy, and to make them aware of the benefits of the library, as well as encouraging lifelong learning.
Outcomes:
Youth are now realizing the public library as a safe and welcoming place, as well as a place to locate resources for school assignments, recreational reading and programs being offered. Staff at this location has informed the library on numerous occasions on the popularity of this type of genre. Comment from one youth ``holy mackerel, I have never read for an hour in my life``.
Strategic Plan Goal that supports the priority: ensuring programs are age appropriate and theme related.
At the beginning of the summer the library initiated `Grab and Go Bags ‘for all ages. Each brown bag contained fiction and non-fiction titles and a DVD. Bags were labelled with the appropriate age group and gender, since bags were stapled shut all contents remained a mystery to the patron checking them out.
Outcomes:
Unfortunately grab and go bags for adult and teens, very little interest was shown. For the age groups pre-school, and boys and girls in the following age groups. 7 – 9, 10 – 12, the response was so overwhelming, staff could hardly keep up with the demand. Children loved the mystery of not knowing what titles were in the bags, they discovered new and old authors and series they had never read (one book from a series would be placed in the bag, then the remaining titles from that series became high in demand). This project supported and improved their reading skills over the summer. During July and August, an estimated 20 bags circulated each week, each back containing 5 books or book related material. Again this summer staff will make Grab & Go bags available to these age groups, new books will be added thanks to our book grant.
- Government Priority: support for the BC Jobs Plan by improving outcomes for job seekers in BC. Specifically, libraries should focus on tools, programs and essential literacy supports that help your community explore new skills and employment options, leading them to be successfully `first in line ‘for job opportunities for today and tomorrow
Strategic Plan Goal that supports the priority: continuing and enhancing computer training with more emphasis on individualized training.
The library provides free computer training on a one to one basis for individuals wishing to improve their computer skills with a focus on meeting more employment options. With the support of the book grant, the library was able to purchase book related material for ESL students, which contain study guides, international English language testing. We also provide a quiet space for tutors and ESL students to work together.
Outcomes:
After several computer training sessions, one individual was able to secure a position at a local establishment. An ESL student was able to open her own business; using seamstress skills learned in her home country, along with her newly learned English skills.
- Government Priority: a focus on collaboration between libraries and other partners. For example, the development of shared service models and resources which extend or improve seamless access.
Strategic Plan Goal that supports the priority: to provide material available from one library to our patrons through inter-library loan
A partnership between 7 NCLF libraries formed the Inter-Library Loan Connect; this service has allowed staff and patrons to borrow material from the nearest lending library in the NCLF. We have since migrated to the BC Interlibrary Connect.
Outcomes:
Library staff has seen a significant increase in the total number of items borrowed and lent out, without an increase in staff time. This new service has increased our patronage as material is delivered in a very timely matter, thanks to Canada Post and their book rate which keeps cost of exchanging material down. Thank you to Sitka for their continued support in setting up this database.
Introduction
Information about what makes our library a community hub:
The library continues to be a place where members of our community can meet together in a welcoming environment for patrons and visitors of all ages. We continue to build our collections, providing programs and forming partnerships to improve library services.
Demographics of our community:
The community of Vanderhoof lies near the geographical centre of BC. Our population is roughly 4,500 residents with district limits, with surrounding rural communities Vanderhoof supports nearly 10,000 people.
Challenges:
We continue to meet the challenges with First Nations, low income families and daycare centers, making them aware of the services of our library.
Our community in general faces challenges with the lack of public transportation options and available recreational facilities, such as a recreation centre. These challenges have a negative effect on our seniors, high-risk families, and First Nations people
Progress made on our strategic plan goals for 2015:
- To improve literacy the library has added two new book clubs, one for girls between the ages of 8 & 9, also a boy’s book club for ages 9 to 11.
- Maximizing the use of social media and our website to inform our community of all coming events and programs
- Purchasing ESL material, to support ESL tutors and their clients.