Provincial Library Grants Report 2015
Kimberley public library
Introduction
The Kimberley Public Library is a bustling centre of activity, with four regular employees, four on call staff members, 12 dedicated volunteers, and for about 10 months of the year, a full time student intern. Patrons remark regularly on the welcoming atmosphere and excellent customer service that they can count on every day. The library is an important part of the community’s network. Our objective of a high level of community awareness, use and support has seen rewarding success with our evolving services. Patronage has increased noticeably in certain groups, including young adults and job seekers, and interest in new collaborative programs continues to grow. As identified in our current Strategic Plan, we continue to seek options for the expansion of our current space to accommodate new services.
Kimberley is in the south-east corner of British Columbia, between the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges. It is very difficult to go outside (or look out your window) and not see something spectacular. Creeks, mountains, lakes, wildlife, happy and active people. The current population is about 6,375 people, (7,870 including surrounding Regional District Area E). Kimberley residents embrace the opportunity for clean, healthy, balanced living.
The Sullivan Mine, Kimberley’s main industry and employer, closed in 2001. Entrepreneurial residents helped to restructure the community, and we are proud to be a destination for tourism due to the year round recreational resources and spectacular scenery. Artists and artisans, writers and sculptors, entrepreneurs in diverse fields have chosen Kimberley as home base, while their expertise is marketed worldwide. There is a strong sense of community in Kimberley.
library Priority 1: a focus on equitable access
Library Goal that supports the priority: Provide easy and facilitated access to extensive resources, provide services to patrons relevant to their needs throughout their lives.
Programs and/or Services that aligns with the priority: Gardenview collection: An external collection was developed in GardenView senior’s facility in Kimberley in 2008. Over the years, this has been a well appreciated collection, valued by the facility’s residents. In 2015, a new resident at the centre has taken an active interest in assisting with the program. She is a former schoolteacher, and with her knowledge of books, organization, and her friendships and familiarity with the residents, she helps keep the collection current and accessible. Thanks to this improved communication between the library and the senior residents, we recently discovered barriers that were preventing several individuals from enjoying print materials. We addressed these barriers by providing some CNIB magnifying equipment, and the Friends of the Library funded this purchase. Now those residents who were unable to access the collection due to their print disabilities can enjoy reading again. These new tools are in addition to the audio equipment that was previously provided.
Partnerships that support the priority: GardenView Senior’s facility, Local resident and senior’s liaison at GardenView, Library, Friends of the Library.
Outcomes: This service has produced extremely rewarding outcomes. Several senior’s who had given up reading are thrilled to experience the joy of reading again. Sharing and discussing books has reportedly improved the quality of life for many residents. This successful partnership between Gardenview management, the Library and dedicated volunteers keep the collection current, organized, and circulating.
Programs and/or Services that align with the priority: NNELS: National Network for Equitable Library Service: Staff have familiarized themselves with this new service, and one staff member who specializes in our outreach service and Daisy Reader distribution has been assigned with promotion. We are finding that the service is not yet being utilized. Our community has a small number of print disabled people who are patrons of the library. Our goal is to raise awareness and usage of NNELS service with seniors who may not be accessing digital books because of a barrier to working comfortably with technology.
library Priority 2: increased supports for education transformation
Library Goal that supports the priority: A high level of community awareness, use and support. Strategies: develop and nurture community partnerships.
Programs and/or Services that aligns with the priority: Database and resource instruction for school classes Grades 1-6: Classroom tours and orientation continue to be a great success in Kimberley. Students are provided with a library card application for their caregiver to sign before their scheduled tour, and cards are provided to each student during their visit. Groups are given a tour of the library and familiarized with what is available. They are given an instructional workshop on how to use the databases, with content made current to classroom needs. The students are then given time to check out some materials.
Partnerships: For the success of this program collaboration is required by teachers, Elementary schools, Middle school, and Library.
Programs and/or Services that align with the priority: Materials in classrooms – pilot project. Elementary school teachers are personally responsible for providing most of the recreational and supportive reading material for their classrooms. Individual collections can be quite small, and often stagnant due to the cost of books. This year, we partnered with a pair of teachers who choose between 40-50 books every six weeks that they feel would be the most interesting and helpful for their students. The students have been reportedly very excited about the arrival of a new selection, anticipating when the next change-out will occur. The participating teachers are happy with the great renewable resource, and the children are recognizing the diverse collection available to them at the public Library. This has resulted in a refreshed interest in books and reading in the class population each time the new selection is introduced.
Partnerships: Classroom teachers, our local Middle School and the Library work together to make this initiative run smoothly.
Outcomes: Library materials are being utilized efficiently and students are displaying more interest in reading and selecting reading material.
library Priority 3: Support for BC Jobs plan by improving outcomes for job seekers in bc
Library Goal that supports the priority: To provide resources and services to patrons relevant to their needs throughout their lives.
Programs and/or Services that aligns with the priority: Local employment counseling for job seekers, resources and support.
Partnerships that support the priority: When the local employer centre closed its doors, it made good sense to keep employment services available locally for unemployed or under-employed individuals who live in Kimberley and area. The library has partnered with WorkBC, Kootenay Employment services, and CBAL to provide regular employment counseling services in Kimberley. The jobseekers kiosk is open from 10:00 to 3:00 every Wednesday. Individual sessions are scheduled separately from regular Employment Centre hours, to give individual instruction to clients requiring assistance with resume’s, cover letters, interview skills, and other job search related help. Although the Employment Centre is only open at the library on Wednesdays, the library continues to offer support services throughout the week. Library staff regularly assist with electronic application submissions, document retrieval and storage, faxing, copying and retrieval of job related resources and information.
Outcomes that were identified: From the partnership, staff members have seen an increase in computer/fax/copying services for job seekers. Kootenay Employment Services do not keep track of whether their clients are successful, but the consistent turnover of people we see using the support services indicates that individuals are having success. Approximately 150 people utilized the kiosk out of 30 open kiosk days in 2015.
library Priority 4: a focus on collaboration between libraries and other partners
Library Goal that supports the priority: Develop and nurture community partnerships
Program that aligns with the priority: Andy Johnson Occasional Literary Awards
Strong community support has been demonstrated for the Andy Johnson occasional awards. Recognizing emerging talent encourages individuals in the community that may otherwise go unnoticed. This program helps educate the public regarding avant-garde work through exposure and shared experiences. With a financial award and appreciative audience, individuals are encouraged to explore their unique creativity and expression. The award committee seeks all creative artists and writers, especially those who may be misunderstood due to their cutting edge work or lifestyle. Writers and other creative individuals find support and encouragement to grow their talent with confidence.
Partnerships that support the priority: Collaboration between the local high school, Local authors, and Autonomedia publishing company.
Outcomes: Last event brought over 60 people to the library, resulting in standing room only for many. Working together with the Andy Johnson Awards committee nurtures and improves relationships with schools and community. Local talent has been recognized, encouraged, and confidence has increased. Community has increased awareness of local talent and support for the arts.
Program that aligns with the priority: Books for Babies. This program outlines the benefits and importance of reading to newborns, Libraries and Literacy, as well as the Kootenay Library Federation (KLF) continue to ensure cost effectiveness through group purchase of materials for Books for Babies. The bag includes a book, a CD, and some literacy pamphlets. The Library purchases the materials, Friends of the Kimberley Library pay for materials, sorting and bagging is done by CBAL, and distribution is through the local nursing unit.
Partnerships that support the priority: Kimberley Library, CBAL, Interior Health Nursing, Friends of the Library: Libraries and Literacy, as well as the Kootenay Library Federation (KLF).
Outcomes: Between 90-100 newborns are welcomed to Kimberley families each year. These families all receive a bag with book, CD and literacy information.
Summary
2015 offered some great opportunities to work with community members and groups on new collaborative programs. Our library is known to be enthusiastic to partner and strategize with any imaginative group or individual that has community spirit. One of the newer collaborations at the library is with the Military Ames group, where veterans meet twice per month in a safe place with others who have had similar experiences. Feedback from this group’s spokesperson has been incredible. We are proud to house this group of our military folks so they can speak openly with others who understand.
We continue to work with individuals and groups in the community to realize a working makerspace. If the library could find additional space, this goal would likely be realized. Our creative and collaborative community would benefit from this opportunity to share knowledge, skills, information and materials.
More and more as we see electronic services gain popularity and mainstream use, the requirement for a systems technician/ computer specialist becomes evident. Network irregularity can have a serious impact on patrons, and staff struggle with downtime too often.
Our popular toddler storytime must be mentioned in this report, and recent comments from parents about this program appropriately summarize some of the personal impact that our library has had on youngsters and families.
“How has storytime made an impact on your child?”
“It’s very good as the age is just right so they get ready for school. Sitting and hearing in a group without Mom and Dad.”
“My daughter is quite shy so storytime has been wonderful for her social development”
“interest in books, learning to read/ listening skills/waiting your turn/memory/singing/meeting new friends.”
“[My daughter] grew from a shy observer into an active participant. [She] was extremely shy in September and simply listened but did not participate. By the Spring she was clearly joining in.”
“He is shy. Warming up. Excellent social experience”
“It’s been great to foster a love of different books. One of her favourite things is reading a book that she recognizes or recognizing a book in the library that she read in storytime.”
“it was a great introduction to her being able to be dropped off and do something independent of me.”
“Really brought out an interest in coloring/writing. Activities/homework have been really beneficial.”
“Great experiences for kids – listening, taking turns, organization, exposure to books and literature”
“My son is reluctant or shy sometimes in groups. He really came out of his shell over the program. He is off to Kindergarten next year and has had a great 1st teacher experience to grow from. Thank you.”
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