A Compendium of Library Examples and Stories – July 2004
Background
This compendium of library stories consists of material provided by PTLDC members to support
the points made in Public Libraries in the Priorities of Canada: Acting on the Assets and
Opportunities, and material available on the Internet, organized under the following broad
headings:
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Library Book Rate stories
Youth at risk stories
Literacy and outreach stories
Connectivity and digitization stories
Other/General stories, by jurisdiction
Additional information
There are many more sources of public library stories. In particular, the LibraryNet Web site
includes Industry Canada’s Best Practices Awards (http://lnrb.ic.gc.ca/e/about/bestprac/index.asp), the Canada- Saskatchewan Every Library Connected
report (http://ln-rb.ic.gc.ca/e/connect/2000-2a.pdf), and the Due North report (http://lnrb.ic.gc.ca/e/connect/Due%20North.pdf), and was still accessible as of mid-July 2004. See the
bibliography for additional examples of materials on the LibraryNet Web site.
The Canadian Library Association’s many briefs to government include stories and examples
from across Canada (see the Web site www.cla.ca.). For examples of literacy programs in public
libraries, see www.cla.ca/issues/literacy_in_public_libraries.pdf); see the bibliography for others.
The short articles in the theme-based issues of CLA’s Feliciter provide many good examples as
well. CLA’s Library Advocacy Now! Site includes a “quotable quotes” section at
www.cla.ca/divisions/capl/advocacy/quotes.htm.
Most of the jurisdictions collect library stories as part of their ongoing work and can supply them
on request.
Library Book Rate Stories - Information gathered during mid-February 2004
from PTLDC (C. Lunau)
Library Book Rate Stories from BC
Petitions presented in the House of Commons by Mr. Reed Elley (Nanaimo-Cowichan) and Mr.
Andy Burton (Skeena)
1
Kimberley
We here at the Kimberley Public Library find that the Library Book rate is most
important to us. We are a small community without the large collection of major centers
and the book rate makes the circulating of materials possible. We handle quite a number
of our books going out also, usually between 60 - 100 of our books (often the only copy
in the province) are mailed to other libraries each month. Without the Library Book Rate
this service would be in serious jeopardy
Sechelt
I am writing to let you know how important the Library Book Rate is to the users of our
small public library.
Residents of British Columbia are known for being voracious readers and the Sechelt
Public Library's clientele are no exception. We serve a community with a significant
proportion of retired professionals whose wide range of interests can not possibly be
satisfied by a small library. On the other side of the economic coin, the Sechelt Public
Library also serves clients who could not afford to travel to Vancouver to conduct
research in larger libraries. Some examples of the varied interests of our library users
include requests for information on:
- Head hunting in the Amazon
- Books showing traditional Celtic patterns which could be incorporated in weaving. The
library's client exhausted the material held locally.The artistic community on B.C’s
Sunshine Coast are avid researchers as a means of continuing to perfect their crafts. One
of the library’s roles is to support life long learning.
- The role of dance and folk music in the Mennonite culture
- Genealogical research includes requests for numerous local histories from across
Canada, the history of the Hudson Bay Blanket – Scandinavian cooking, Norse myths
and legends, a book called “Letters From Norwegian Immigrants”
- Design manual for water wheels
- Embalming history and techniques
- Sacred Middle Eastern Writing
Our library may have general information or one or two books on the topics listed above,
but for those who have a passion about a subject or who are researching a particular
topic, it is impossible for us to adequately meet those needs.
In 2003, the Sechelt Public Library spent just over $2000 for postage. At least 75% of
this amount was used to send books to other libraries through the inter library loan
system. In addition to sending our resources to other libraries, the Sechelt Public Library
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borrowed 1.5 times as many items as we lent. Thus other libraries were providing our
library with books at a collective cost of over $2000.
Since 1998, use of inter library loan at our library has increased 342% from 1,635 items
to 5,590 items. I feel that this illustrates the need which is filled by inter library loan.
Although this demand means additional costs for the government in order to support the
Library Book Rate, it is also a means by which the Government of Canada can ensure
equal access to information across Canada. Technology has made it possible for libraries
to share resources and serve the public much more efficiently. Eliminating the Library
Book Rate would be a giant step backwards in the ability of Canadians to be part of the
information age
Vancouver
FYI I'm sending the attached brief summary on the impact of the book rate for VPL. This
was done last fall and I've asked them to do a quick check to see if the new postal rates
have varied the price gap or not. The bottom line is that the bookrate means a very
significant saving for large public libraries which provide a lot of ILL. The point needs to
be made that public libraries lend books through ILL at a higher rate than academic
research libs whose focus is journal articles. Perhaps try and tie this to the Government's
urban agenda as there is no question that the elimination of the bookrate will hurt
municipally funded public libs more than any other institution. While you are at it, you
may want to point out that VPL is already having to try and find $20,000 to cover the
budget shortfall caused by the impact of the new postal rates on newspaper mailings. I'll
send you more info on this in case it may be of use.
Nelson
Story #1
Access to ILL through public libraries, accompanied by a reasonable fee, is essential to
students, researchers and general readers if they are to maintain an acceptable standard as
informed and participating citizens. The "Heartland" and "Hinterland" of BC need
continued support to keep residents at work on that 'level playing field'. Any hindrance
to long-proven, essential services is seen as yet another cutback to services to those most
dependent on them.
Open Learning, Life-Time Learning, Up-grading, ESL, Life Maintenance Skills...all
imply specialized access to information and ILL
I've found ILL indispensable in conducting primary British Columbia historical research.
(strictly not-for-profit!) ILL works hand in hand with the internet world through which
one identifies and locates print or micro. material available only through direct access
....or ILL. Sensible book rate permits research to be accomplished away from centres of
academia and gives rural residents access to libraries supported and endowed by all taxpayers.
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Story #2
Lemuel McGinnes is 97 years old and an inveterate reader. He read everything in regular
print that interested him and then read out our small large print collection quite quickly.
So we moved on to borrowing books for him from other libraries. He just picked up the
two huge volumes of Gone With the Wind in large print today and as always expressed
his gratitude to us for our help and for the Interlibrary loans service. He is on a fixed
income and could never afford to buy all the books he wants to read or to contribute
enough to the Library to meet all his reading needs, though he does give us a small
annual donation with a very nice card. He lives on his own and books are, he says, "his
friends" - so our library and the Interlibrary loans service are essential to his well-being and continued good health!
Story #3
Interlibrary loans are an essential part of the service we offer our area residents from our
small library in the interior of British Columbia. Local researchers, writers, and postsecondary distance students make excellent use of the service, as do many residents who
just want to read a book that our library with its limited budget and space does not have.
The Interlibrary loans system would not be possible without the Library Book Rate.
Regular postal rates on the volume of book traffic in the system would be prohibitive for
most libraries, especially small ones. Our library borrowed an average of about 1670
books per year and loaned about 450 books per year over the last four years. In a town
with very little industry that survives on its reputation for "quality of life", the ability of
local residents to have access to larger resources than local tax dollars could purchase is
very important. I would go so far as to say that it allows many to choose to live outside of
major urban centers and still engage in their chosen livelihood. While the much-touted
broad band initiatives are certainly part of making those larger resources available, so, to
many, is the Interlibrary loans service. Local writer Eileen Delahunty Pearkes has called
the service "indispensable" to her research. In a 2002 library user survey, unsolicited
comments about the service were all about how the service is wonderful and important.
The only complaints were about its limitations. Most borrowers wanted the books for
longer periods than is currently possible under inter-library agreements and they wanted
loans of other types of library collections included under the Interlibrary loan umbrella and eligible for the Library Rate. "I love the interlibrary loan option - I wish videos (ie.
obscure documentaries and foreign feature films) were available through it, though you
are doing a great job," said one respondent. Losing the Library Book Rate would hurt all
Canadians but I would venture to say that those of us well outside of the large urban
centres would be hurt the most. In a country the size of Canada with such distances
between us, such equalizers are essential!
Story #4
"I could not write and research in a rural location without the Interlibrary Loans System.
While the Internet can and does play a role in my work, nothing as yet replaces my ability
to thumb a volume more deeply and thoroughly. One specific example of many: Last
year, I read a reference in Canada's history magazine, The Beaver, about the recently
published letters of a fur trade fort manager who headed up a nearby trade fort in the
1840s. I was able to secure this volume in a matter of weeks. Quotations from letters
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found in the volume will soon appear in my next book, to illustrate colonial attitudes
toward the Interior salmon fishery conducted by Aboriginals. Many of the historic and
more obscure volumes I seek out can only be acquired through the library loan program.
I was thrilled to discover it when I relocated to rural B.C. from Vancouver 10 years ago. I
depend on it to broaden and deepen my thinking about culture and history. All rural
residents should have this opportunity. Please preserve it.
Story #5
"I am a person who uses the Interlibrary Loan System a lot: when they see me walk in the
door, librarians at the Nelson Municipal Library go to the Interlibrary Loan shelf to get
my current treasure. The Interlibrary Loan System means that I have access to the books I
need for the work I do as a post-secondary creative writing instructor, poet and visual
artist. For me, it takes the place of a university library and, without it, I would need to
consider re-locating. As you know, people of my profession are generally pretty poor and
unable to buy all the books they need. A government that denies equal, but delayed,
access to books for people not living in large cities is not "civilized," that is, it is not
governing a society characterized by a high level of intellectual, social and cultural
development. To further hinder libraries, already cash-strapped and unable to increase
their acquisition of books and storage, by making it impossible for them to share their
holdings for the benefit of their patrons is not right. This could not be the country deemed
by the UN to be the best place in the world in which to live. Please give this matter of the
Library Book Rate, without which the current Interlibrary Loans System would be
impossible, the highest priority: it is very important to many citizens of this far-flung and
usually decent country."
Valemount
Story #1
I hear from the staff at Valemount Library that inter-library loans service may be reduced
or cut, and I wanted to register my alarm at losing such a vital service. Apart from
enjoying as a reader a greater access to a number of books, as a writer I absolutely
depend upon inter-library loans in order to do research. Losing such a service would
mean that I, and others like me, would no longer be able to work in smaller communities
like Valemount where holdings are understandably limited. Since moving to the
Valemount area last spring, I have used this service constantly in researching a novel I
am currently working on and it is a fact that were I not able to access the books I've
needed I would not be able to continue living and working here. Inter-library loan is
extremely important to small communities where access to a variety of books for youth
and adult readers, and professionals who require this access in order to work, is quite
limited. For me, it is not only important, but crucial. If there is anything else I can do in
support of the program, please let me know.
Story #2
We use your much appreciated services of ordering in books for our elderly Aunt (96
years) who is visually impaired. Each month she looks forward to the many large print
books she receives. As you know she quickly reads any books our library has. One
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library could not possibly stock enough large print books for her. There are other seniors
in the community that also rely on these services. I was under the impression that the
government was promoting literacy programs/services – not preventing existing services.
Story #3
As a home schooling parent of five children over the last twelve years I want to assure
you that we have benefited greatly by being able to access books and materials via the
interlibrary loan service. Our library in Valemont is wonderful with a remarkable
selection of books and materials, CDs, videos, reference aids and computers. However,
we have come to rely on the interlibrary loan service to provide special materials needed
for school purposes, particularly in the areas of L.A. science and social studies. In
addition our family of voracious readers have enjoyed immensely being able to order
from our ‘extended library family’ books to complete a series, books on specific topics,
books by certain authors, etc. I would like to express our sincere appreciation and
gratitude for the books and materials that have been available to us through the
interlibrary loan service. Please accept this letter as one of strong support for the retention
of library book rates that every Canadian regardless of their communities have equal
access to reading materials in order to broaden and extend their literacy skills. I trust
Canada Post will desire to promote higher literacy rates across our nation through the
continuation of its library book rates.
Story #4
It has come to my attention that Canada Post is considering raising the rates for shipping
interlibrary books. I understand that this would create an additional financial burden,
especially for small libraries who can only afford a to have a limited supply of books on
their shelves. This is of great concern to myself as I suffer from a visual impairment and
can only read large print books. Obviously a library of Valemount’s size and due to the
limited number of patrons who require large print books, there are few large print books
on the shelves. Over the past six years I have been very fortunate to have wide access to
many large print books due to the interlibrary policy, but this does involve shipping costs.
I am concerned if these mailing rates are increased I will no longer have access to the
variety of large print books. As I am an avid reader and due to other limitations, I read a
lot to pass the day and would be absolutely devastated if my local library could not
continue to serve me in the excellent way they have in the past. Please seriously examine
my concerns, and other peoples who have visual impairments, and do not raise shipping
costs for the library. I am sure this would be detrimental to my quality of life and to
other’s lives with similar disabilities.
Salt Spring Island Public Library
We are a library, with 65,000 volumes, that survives on subsidies such as those from
Canada Post. Our operating budget is $125,000 yearly. The removal of this subsidy
would limit our ability to purchase new materials for our collection, replace equipment
that has been donated to us and reduce our operating hours. Our library is the heart of our
community and any reduction in budget ripples throughout our community causing
unknown harm.
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Vancouver Island
VIRL is very concerned about the loss of the LBR. Last year we mailed more than
600,000 holds between our 37 branches using the LBR. We are currently changing the
way we deliver holds to our largest branches in order to reduce the impact on VIRL of
the potential loss or erosion of the LBR. However we are dependent on the Post Office
for delivering holds to approximately 20 small remote library branches and 600 Books
By Mail Customers (living on lighthouses, fishing camps, etc.) Also, our users make
extensive use of InterLibrary Loans - borrowing approximately 9000 items annually and
lending approximately 1500. Even with the measures we have taken, we estimate that
loss of the LBR would cost VIRL at least $250,000.00 per year in increased postage.
Since such a budget increase is not feasible, if we lose the LBR, we will have to make
serious service cuts. We have written to the Department of Canadian Heritage and the
Post Office and many of member municipalities and regional districts have done the
same. We held a petition during January in our branches. We collected more than 16,000
signatures which have sent to our seven MPs to present to the House of Commons this
spring. I think the LBR is both a rural issue and a literacy issue. VIRL strongly endorses
all efforts that are made to, not only maintain the LBR, but also expand it to include nonprint materials.
Creston
We are a rural community serving approximately 11,000 residents and try to provide this
service on a budget in the neighbourhood of $250,000. As a result, the number of books
we can purchase for our local collection is very limited and we rely heavily on
interlibrary loan to promote life-long learning, pursue interests and promote literacy. I
hope that negotiations consider the impact that elimination or reduction of the Library
Book Rate would have on libraries, especially small rural ones. Library service and
interlibrary loan help to keep Canadians informed, educated and even entertained and do
so in an extremely cost-effective manner. I hope that Canada Post will choose to indicate
their support of our core values of reading, literacy, culture and education when
considering the issue of the Library Book Rate.
Prince George
The estimated impact of the library book rate in terms of increase (ie. loss of revenue) to
the Prince George Public Library is $12,500 which is a substantial form of downloading
considering all that libraries have had to face in recent years. BC Libraries continue to be
underfunded provincially, and federally we need all the support we can get
Port Moody
Resolution passed by City Council in support of book rate and enhancing it for non-book
material. Resolution sent to Minister of Canadian Heritage, James Moore M.P., CLA,
BCLA.
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Fort Nelson
Passed a similar resolution and sent letters “to all the political representatives that we
could think of”.
Library Book Rate Stories from Alberta
Valleyview
Our library has a young casual worker that had a very circumscribed upbringing. How
she even got brave enough to apply as a casual worker in a library is a miracle in
itself..however...Once in a library she began to read and an entire new world began to
open up to her. Because of ILL postage rates, our library became her new school. She
has borrowed thousands of books and videos from all over the province of Alberta. She
now knows how the rest of the world, including Alberta, Canada, North America and
beyond lives and has begun to feel that there is something that she can contribute herself.
She has a greater sense of meaning and now has begun to explore educational options.
Without the postage rate, our library could never have been part of her life change.
Yellowhead Region
Last June I received a letter from a family in Okotoks, Alberta telling me how important
the ability to borrow material is. It was actually in response to a decision in our
automation consortium to place a moratorium on the loan of non-print material because it
is not covered by the Library Book Rate. But while that was the reason for the letter, it
also talks about what the ability to borrow material means to this family. Because I have
not asked for their permission to use this letter in such a fashion, I will leave off the
names. For the sake of completeness, I will include the full text of the letter below. I am
sure there may well be some parts of it that you can use. For your information,
Yellowhead Regional Library is a partner with Marigold Library System (which is where
Okotoks is located) and Northern Lights Library System in an automation consortium we
call TRAC (The Regional Automation Consortium) – our website is www.tracpac.ab.ca YRL’s is www.yrl.ab.ca. In May we plan to add the holdings of the members of the
Peace Library System. By then we will have 150 small rural libraries sharing the same
central computer system. The point, of course, is to more effectively share resources
among these libraries. Use has skyrocketed over the last few years; and the success is
really only possible because of the Library Book Rate. Without it, I simply don’t know
how these libraries would be able to afford to move these items around.
Dear Mr. Maishment
We understand that you are collecting information from people who utilize the Library
systems inter-intra library loans of videos, DVDs, music cassettes, CDs, software and CD
Rom within TRAC.
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As a family we heavily use the Library in all aspects. As a homeschooling family, we rely
on the Library for school curriculum; including culture, social studies, language arts, the
arts, history and entertainment to name a few. We have no cable for television – a
personal choice – but rely on the Library for quality movies. Not because we are too
cheap to pay for movies but the choices of cultural, historical and documentary based
videos/DVD’s are what we view for entertainment – available usually exclusively from
our Library system. The music cassettes/CDs available through the system are almost
limitless. We can happily report our daughter at age 8, has acquired a taste for classical
music to the point where she now attends violin lessons. This is due in major part to
interest generated by the loans from the Library system.
My daughter has recently begun learning the American Sign Language and Braille.
Through the loan system, she was able to secure a Braille book to learn from. There is
also an instructional video available through the system – but due to the cancellation of
these types of loans – my daughter is unable to access this highly educational
information.
It is unbelievable how much we utilize this valuable service. Our family would be willing
to pay a higher fee for our Library Card to help offset the costs for this service. It truly
does open the world to the many deserving people who may not otherwise be able to
access these wonderful assets to the Library system of Alberta.
Thank you for this opportunity to express our concerns and desire to have this excellent
service reinstated as soon as possible.
I realize that the focus of this letter is the loan of non-print material, but I hope this is a
story you can use.
Berwyn WI Municipal Library
As librarian of a small northern Alberta village I have had great success with the library
book rate for postage. Using this system for interlibrary loans I am able to access books
for all age ranges of our patrons, including preschool and school age children, young
adults, adults, seniors, non profit groups, local government, and businesses. Attached is a
partial accounting of the total books loaned to and borrowed from this library as well as
the other libraries in this regional library system. The Berwyn Municipal Library
circulated more that 381 books to our patrons using interlibrary loans. This was a
substantial savings to the library as we have a small budget for the purchase of books.
Many of these books would not have been purchased by this library due to the lack of
demand for the book, or because of the high cost per book. Many of these books were
also popular books, and many patrons would have had to wait months to read our single
copy if it had not been available through interlibrary loan. This represents non-fiction and
fiction books. Our patron would also like to borrow other media such as CDs, DVDs,
videos, audio cassettes, however, many libraries outside our region are reluctant to sent
such items in the mail as they have to pay regular postage. As librarian, I would like to
thank everyone involved with the continued operation of this valuable service
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Fox Creek
Our little community of Fox Creek, AB with a population of just over 3000 with no
outlying population joined the Peace Library System in 2002 and were completely on line
with all libraies in the system in Feb. of 2003. Our interlibrary loans have gone up by
hundreds of percents. Because of the government courier and the low postal rates we
were able to loan out 586 books in 2003 and borrow for our patrons 330 books and other
materials. We have borrowed from university libraries and out of system libraries as well
as we have several adults in the community who are taking university courses. ILL has
been a real benefit for them. We have a lady in town who used to volunteer at the library
and now suffers from fibromyalgia. She has found that by borrowing books, she has
been able to become more familiar with the disease, the symptons and treatments that
help her find relief. We had a group of students come into the library looking for the
audio tape "Who's On First" Because we were able to find it in the system, the boys were
able to make their presentation on time. (That is not an easy tape to find!) We love
having the inexpensive library rates and can think of only one way to improve things.
That would be to allow audio visual materials to be sent at the same rates. It is really
prohibitive to send videos and audio tapes through the mail. Over $$5.00!
Grande Prairie
In the 1980s I was a schoolteacher in our small northern city and had begun my studies
toward a Ph.D. My dissertation was to be on Dr. Hilda Neatby, member of the Massey
Commission in the late 40s and author of So Little for the Mind in the early 50s, that
created the first truly national public debate on education in Canada. After a one year
sabbatical at University of Alberta, in Edmonton, I returned home with my family to
continue classroom teaching and work on my dissertation. I still have all of the articles
and copies of newspaper clippings from the early 50s that the library staff at Grande
Prairie library obtained for me through their inter-library loan services. It is impossible
for me to overstate that financially it would have been immensely burdensome for me to
carry out this research successfully without the subsidized mail rates for interlibrary
loans. And please allow me to invoke two ghosts. The first is Hilda Neatby, who lived for
learning and the value of matters of the mind. I know that she and her advocate, Vincent
Massey himself, would have counted this as an essential part of the whole thrust of their
Massey Report. Finally, I grew up as a boy only thirty miles or so from where Andrew
Carnegie was born and I know that the whole tradition of Carnegie libraries is about
empowering ordinary people with knowledge and education in the best Scottish-Canadian
tradition. The further people live from large urban or metropolitan centres, the more
important it is to provide that support for access to the resources of our finest libraries at
an affordable price.
Hinton
For the Library in Hinton (population 10,000) a total of 15,000 items was mailed back
and forth in 2003. Of this total approx. 6,000 items went via Canada Post (the rest via AB
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govt. courier) and I am afraid that we are putting a burden on the Post Offices all around
Alberta. Now, I also need to say how absolutely essential this service is to rural areas in
the Country. It has helped, assisted, enriched many, many people. It has helped Libraries
to be relevant to many more people. If you need a story, I can tell you about a blind
customer of ours, who besides loving stories on tape is now also doing research to write a
book. Access to research material on tape or CD is hard to find, and expensive to mail.
Nonetheless the joy she expresses each time material comes in is heart warming, and very
worthwhile. Her guide dog knows us very well indeed.
Library Book Rate Stories from New Brunswick
I can think of many instances where the library book rate allowed access to much needed
and extremely useful material. I have brought medical books in from across the country
for various library users but one case stands out in particular. The person in question had
seen an interview with the author of a book which she felt could help her cope with her
illness. I remember at the time being worried that the book would be too recent to be
loaned but it turned out that it was several years old. This turned up when I performed an
AMICUS search and found the book in the collection of the Vancouver Public Library.
The book was brought in and when the library user returned it she included a lovely thank
you note telling me how much she appreciated the service as the book had helped her and
given her hope. I have also received notes and been told countless times of the
appreciation that users have for items that have provided insight into a hobby or aided in
a research project. The overall feeling is one of extreme gratitude for the service and
pleasure in receiving items from anywhere in Canada. Carrol Lunau has asked for
success stories. It is my feeling that every ILL is a success story. I sincerely hope that
Canada Post will continue the library book rate.
Library Book Rate Stories from Newfoundland
Story #1
There is a couple in our area who are going through the process of International Adoption
from China. We have very limited material in our library on China or International
Adoption. The couple has found it really convenient and informative to get books from
other libraries throughout our province. If we didn’t have the special library book rate in
place with Canada Post, I’m sure it would be much more difficult to accommodate our
patrons.
Story #2
We also have another lady who lives in an isolated community and has to travel via ferry
to access a library. She said in a letter to our librarian that “Reading is one of the joys of
my life and the services provided by the Books By Mail program from the Gander
Library are to me a real blessing – a life saver really!
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Story #3
I wish to express my appreciation and gratitude for the service of receiving books by
mail. I live in a rural community with a population of approximately 300 people; there
isn’t a bookstore for 2 ½ hours and no library in the town.
Story #4
I have a 2 ½ year old son who enjoys the variety of books he borrows and he learns a lot
of words from all the stories I read to him. Also I really enjoy the books I borrow and
I’ve read books by authors I didn’t know were such great writers. Of course, since I
found out I was pregnant last summer I’ve borrowed books on pregnancy that have been
really informative.
Library Book Rate Stories from Nova Scotia
A considerable number of short and long term residents at the Buddhist "Gampo Abbey"
have used our Library services regularly via Books by mail. The nearest library branch
site is about an hour away over a mountainous stretch of the famed Cabot Trail. The
Abbey is located in a remote area on the rugged northwestern coast of Cape Breton (at
Red River near Pleasant Bay}. A lot of the items requested are academic material in a
variety of languages to assist instructors and students in their studies and writing which
usually requested and borrowed by us on interlibrary loan. They have also borrowed
considerable amounts of material from our popular public library collection with all
materials being mailed in to the Abbey c/o the Pleasant Bay Post Office. I also have a
general comment/question regarding the past issue of the needed inclusion of multimedia
library materials, so it would effectively become a special postal rate for "Library
Materials" instead of a rate strictly for "Library Books". Obviously there has been an
increasing appearance of multimedia items such as audio books on cassette (and now on
CD) , music cassettes and CD's, videos (and now DVD's) in our collections. With greater
use of the virtual library catalogue request service (both placed in library and increasing
remotely from home, businesses, etc. the exclusion of non-book materials from the
Library Book rate has become an increasing problem for public libraries. Currently we
pay full postage to interlibrary loan these materials with libraries who will reciprocally
lend them to us --- but all loans in our system for our own multimedia titles and those
borrowed on ILL must be then sent directly to a branch or mobile library location. We
have a large number of remote rural books by mail patrons (as I am sure many libraries
across the county do) for whom this represents a real difficulty when they are currently
able to get their requested "books" via mail (with free return mailing privilege). Because
Multimedia titles still represent a smaller proportion of our total collection and only a
certain percentage of patrons require their materials mailed, I do not believe the increased
impact on the volume of Library rate mailouts would currently be more than 10-15% of
total mailings. I hope that there have been some other submissions on this issue and that
it will be given some priority in the upcoming round of discussions.
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Newfoundland and the Library Book Rate
Email from S. Tetford to W. Newman, 23 June 2004
“As for the Library Book Rate, with the benefits of this program, we
currently spend approximately $ 25,000 for the distribution of library
materials through Canada Post. We currently use the mail services to:
1. send materials from our centralized Technical Services Division at
headquarters to our libraries located around the province;
2. ship interlibrary loans between libraries and;
3. distribute materials through our books by mail system which provides
library services in communities without a library.
Without the Library Book Rate, we estimate that it would cost us at least
$100,000 to distribute the same amount of materials. Our funding for
postage comes from our material's budget. The savings we current generate
go directly to the purchase of library materials. Without the library
book rate we would spend at least $75,000 less on library materials.
Our average price per book purchased last year was $ 15.00. Based on this
figure we were able to purchase approximately 5000 new books from the
savings generated from the Library Book Rate. Assuming those books were
distributed equally to all of our 96 libraries, that equates to 52 books
per library. As you can see, the library book rate is important to the
people of this province and has a significant impact on the provision of
materials to our libraries. Incidently, we have approximately, 500
communities and 96 libraries so books by mail and interlibrary loans are
very important aspects of our system.”
Youth at Risk Examples and Stories
Toronto Public Library, Albion Branch:
Albion Library is in a high need, low income, multicultural neighbourhood. This is an
area in which the community tends to group according to cultural lines which creates
racial tension. Our teen programs are breaking down these cultural barriers, as youth
from every walk of life are enjoying these programs together.
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Animeshon Club
74 teens have enrolled in this program in which teens screen anime films (a form of
Japanese animation of great appeal to teens). They read subtitles in English and then
discuss the films and related literature. This program is particularly valuable in a
neighbourhood where literacy is an issue - the teens are practicing their reading skills in
an enjoyable way while viewing the films. They meet bi-monthly and have just created
their own website for members of the club. We recently had the father of a 16 year old
male call and profusely thank the library for providing such a positive and enriching
experience for his son who is in the “high risk” category – he previously has had no
constructive outlet for his energy and is very engaged in the Animeshon Club.
Toastmaster’s Youth Leadership Program
22 teens have just graduated from this program. They met on Saturday mornings to
improve their public speaking and to develop leadership skills. At the final graduation,
the teens showcased their newly acquired skills in front of their parents and peers. A new
session will begin this fall.
Youth Advisory Group
There are 19 active members of this group that meets monthly to recommend
improvements for library services for teens. They have helped create a teen zone in the
library and they also actively promote the library’s teens services to other youth in the
community. The YAG members also worked as volunteers at the Civic Engagement
Forum recently held at Albion.
Lectures
We have a lecture series for teens where we use experts from the local community to
address issues of importance to youth. We have or will be running sessions on gambling,
job hunting, know your rights, conflict resolution, storytelling.
Toronto Public Library, Maria Shchuka Branch
Maria A. Shchuka Library is located in the Eglinton Dufferin area of Toronto – a high
needs community with high numbers of youth. There have been issues around gangs in
the community, and there are no recreational or other services easily available to youth.
The library has a youth focus, and has a Youth Service Specialist on staff. We are
providing a number of program opportunities to youth.
Youth Advisory Group
A group of teens age 13 –18 met monthly with the Youth Service Librarian to assist with
the improvement and promotion of library services to teenagers in the community. They
have helped plan and run all teen programs, including the Youth Forum and the open
mics and they attended and presented at the OLA teen services conference Big Ideas,
Now. Some act as volunteer moderators of the discussion forums on Ramp.
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Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program
Ten teens have graduated from this program, offered last Fall. Public speaking is a major
component of the program. Parents were amazed to see how much their teens had gained
in confidence due to the program.
Art Starts Open Mic for Teens
Since January, on second Wednesday of each month, teens are invited to share their own
and favourite poetry, songs and stories in a friendly and creative atmosphere. The
meeting room turns into a sort of “café” to add to the atmosphere. A guest artist, funded
by Art Starts, hosts each event. Approximately 30 teens attend each month. This will
continue throughout 2004.
Black History Month Programs
Partnering with urbanArts, programs for teens were offered – involved Black filmmakers,
broadcast artists, visual artists and drummers.
Summer Mondays
Youth Advisory group members are organizing this series of programs where teens are
invited to participate in a variety of activities such as movies, improv, visual art, crafts.
Homework Help and Study Halls
Funded by Ontario Works at several branches in high needs areas. Study Halls for teens
on Sunday afternoons during the Sunday open hours season. Homework Help to begin in
the Fall for teens Grade 9-12. Trained volunteers will help high school students with
their homework.
Teen Parent Program
Funded by Ontario Works. Outreach programs for teen parents and their young children.
TPL staff offer 6 week sessions at community locations across the city 4 times a year.
Goals include supporting teen parents by sharing information and modeling behaviours
that support literacy and a love of reading; helping young parents with coping and life
skills; promoting a love of reading and learning young children; and addressing broader
issues related to adult literacy.
Windsor Public Library: The New Chapter Project
Objective
The New Chapters Project provided 14 area youth, between the ages of 16 and
29, with the opportunity and training to operate their own business while at
the same time making an important and recognizable contribution to their
community through the design and implementation of a Teen Space at the
Windsor Public Library. This objective was met through the provision of
entrepreneurial and life skills training and through a close working
relationship with the staff at the downtown branch of the Windsor Public
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Library.
The New Chapters Project was the development and delivery of a realistic,
workable business plan and comprehensive design layout for a Teen Space
proposed by the Windsor Public Library.
Through a solid partnership with the Windsor Public Library, and potential
partnerships with the Teen Health Centre, YouthStart and WERCS, The New
Chapters Project furthered this mission while at the same time made a
valuable contribution to the greater community through a hands-on work
experience. The library committed staff, space and resources to the Project
in exchange for input from the participants towards the design and
development of an area within the library aimed specifically at young
people.
The New Chapters Project was a 24-week experience aimed at 14 area youth
between the ages of 16 and 29, all of whom are out of school and unemployed.
At least 75% of the participants were identified as being 'at-risk'. The
Project was administrated by Junior Achievement.
Literacy and Outreach Examples and Stories
Sinclair, Wendy. "One Canadian Inner City Library: Answering the Needs of the Community".
Available from: http://www.bcla.bc.ca/fnig/bcla2000.html .
In this article, a discussion is presented of efforts at the Albert branch of the Regina
Public Library to reach out to Aboriginal people. A history of this branch is presented,
branch collections are reviewed, and programming and services to this community
discussed. Also contains recommendations from the Albert Community Library
Committee and the staff at this library on what libraries should do to serve aboriginal
communities. Programming at this branch has included Cree classes, Pow wow dancing,
beadwork, storytelling, and other programs directed toward cultural awareness.
Names have been changed in the following stories from Regina Public Library.
Tom needed his boiler papers. He had failed the test several times.
He came to the Literacy Unit for a tutor. The tutor realized that
there was not enough time to read the text. Rick remembered that the
only time he attained good marks in school is when the learning was
oral. He had someone read his text onto a tape and wore it 24/7 while
he worked and played until the test day. The test was multiple choice
thus his reading skills were adequate. Rick passed the test. Rick is
now working with a tutor because he sees his wife and children reading
for PLEASURE. He cannot imagine that and would like to be able to do
that.
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Sally came to our computer lab class which was an hour of literacy on
computer and an hour of instruction. It was a class of 8. Sally
improved her literacy skills and passed the GED. She came back and
said, "Alice, I have a job. I'm finally somebody!" I told her that
she was always somebody, but she had never felt that way as an
unemployed person.
A young mother working towards her GED admitted that she had never
realized that nutrition was so important for growth and health. She
had a grade 10 education but it wasn't until she was working toward
her GED-12 that she began to read about nutrition. No longer was she
feeding her 2 year old Big Gulps from 7-11. She was now buying fruit
and vegetables and was making nutritious snacks. Hamburger Helper was
a thing of the past.
A young man had dropped out of school and had been working at many
temporary jobs. He was intelligent but had not fit into the school
system. He was given a new temporary job at $10 an hour. His
employer said that if he wanted a permanent job he would have to
obtain his GED before the temporary job ran out. The young man was
given a tutor. He worked hard, passed his GED and his wages were
raised to $20 an hour on his permanent job. This was a labour
position.
A man in his 40's had to retrain due to an accident at work causing a
physical disability. He wanted to take a course at CDI but failed the
entrance exam. He was told to upgrade his literacy skills. He
received a tutor. The tutor worked with him an hour twice a week.
The tutor was absolutely amazed at the hours of homework this man did.
He had nothing else to do with his time. Within a few months he
returned to CDI, passed the entrance with flying colors and began his
course.
A female tutor did not want to work with a male learner. We had a
male blue collar worker who desperately needed literacy help. We
persauded the woman to try which she did with great intrepedation. A
year later the learner was moving away and the tutor requested another
learner just the same as her first. This lady was a professional
brought up in upper middle class and had had no interaction with blue
collar men. She was so happy to have had the experience since she
discovered that he was a wonderful human being, very knowledgable
about things that she was not knowledgable about, and simply had not
had the opportunity to become as literate as she.
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An ESL doctor was working at low paying jobs. She received a tutor
who worked with her to upgrade her English and passed the TOEFL. She
was immediately admitted to medical school and is in the process of
being accredited to practice in Canada.
A landed immigrant was working on a Masters of Chemistry. She could
read and write English well, but could not speak it. A tutor worked
with her the three years. This young person came to the office to
thank us since she would never be able to be employed without the
pronunciation and conversation skills that she learned from the tutor.
The tutor and her family also became such good friends with this young
immigrant that she was considered a part of the family.
Connectivity and Digitization Examples and Stories
North Bay (ON) Public Library - Dionne Quintuplets Digital Collection
The archival web site dedicated to the Dionne Quintuplets was launched Tuesday
October 28, 1997 at the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce Dionne Quints
Museum. Included on the web site are digital copies of: Original Quints artifacts,
Magazine articles, Photographs, Newspaper clippings from museum collections in the
Nipissing area. The site contains over 3000 images. The digitized images are displayed
under broad subject headings, in a browsable format. Phase two involved cataloguing and
indexing each digitized image using metatags, and translation into French. To view this
fun and informative archival site through the North Bay Public Library's web site, click
here. Please note, the site is not being updated, so more recent news articles about the
surviving Dionne sisters (after 1997) will not be found here. Web site partners are: The
North Himsworth Museum, The North Himsworth Public Library, The City of North
Bay, The North Bay Area Museum, The North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce
(owners of the Dionne Quints Museum), The North Bay Public Library. This digitization
project was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture, and Recreation,
Cultural Partnerships Branch, through a Digital Content Creation grant. Additional
support for a summer student was received from the Industry Canada SchoolNet
Digitization fund.
Manitoba Connectivity/Digitization stories
Manitoba Community Connections – CIMnet
Manitoba Community Connections (MCC) the organization that incorporates Manitoba’s
participation in the CAP program. In total there are just over 600 public access sites in
the province, and all 107 public libraries are Internet on-ramp sites.
A wonderful set of tools were developed to enable MCC sites to easily provide a web
based community site. The project is called the Community Information Management
18
Network (CIMnet) and it can be further investigated at and
http://www.communityconnections.mb.ca/ and http://cimnet.ca/ .
Article from the MCC newsletter (LUX)
Made-in-Manitoba Community-Development Software
Computer programs designed as a student research project at Brandon University were
demonstrated last week at an information-technology conference in St. Petersburg,
Russia. Four Manitobans, two from Brandon and two from Winnipeg, combined their
talents for the half-day demonstration. Their audience of 250 was mainly from European
countries, many of them former members of the Soviet bloc. There were two central
thrusts for the presentation: the use of technology in community development, and the
benefits of co-operation carried to an unusual extent. The software enables communities,
and groups of communities, to work in collaboration with private firms, branches of
government, and non-governmental organizations to solve community problems and
strengthen local economies. Members of the demonstration group included: Dr. Robert
Annis, executive director, Rural Development Institute (RDI) of Brandon University;
Bruce Hardy, president of Functions Four Ltd; Wayne Kelly, a master's student at
Brandon University; Patricia LaChance, of Health Canada, Winnipeg. The students who
designed the software worked in close association with RDI. Following graduation, they
moved to Winnipeg and incorporated as Functions Four Ltd. The software was supported
and distributed by Community Connections, the provincial agency that has created over
600 sites in Manitoba where public-access computers are located. Dr. Annis reports that
members of the audience found it particularly interesting that in many of the
collaborative projects on which he reported, governments played only supporting roles
and did not take the lead. For Bruce Hardy, the most interesting aspect was meeting with
representatives of countries in a major transitional phase. "It may take them some
generations to catch up with us, but the forces of democratization are obviously at work."
He described the audience as composed of individuals who are dedicated to bringing
about change. He said they were mainly academics, bureaucrats, and representatives of
non-governmental organizations dedicated to democracy. By the time the travelers
returned to Manitoba, they found several e-mail messages from European countries
requesting collaboration with community-development projects.
Written for Community Connections by Fred McGuinness
Phone and fax (204)725-1871.
BC Connectivity/Digitization Stories (excerpts from survey)
General comments: [comments] n=7
"The big impact of the Internet for the library staff has been in the area of reference. We
have discarded 3 filing cabinets of pamphlets to create an on-line version. Patrons expect
that any question they have can be answered (and often it can). Before the Internet we
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would have to suggest they visit Vancouver Public Library, UBC, etc. People also expect
their questions to be answered instantly. It is sometimes hard to get them to wait the five
minutes that it might take to get the information they want.
The other impact, not mentioned in this survey is the library web page. It provides a 24/7
window into the library for the community and beyond. We have had emails from all
over the world either commenting on, or inquiring, about something on our website. Not
possible before the Internet."
"Budget trends: might be useful to look at how we've moved $$$ from print to electronic
resources. We're still spending more on print reference than e-sources even though we've
spend more on e-sources every year since the mid-90s
We don't have good figures on how we changed our magazines in response to full text
availability. What did happen was print indexes disappeared and funds spent on
reference magazines were diverted in part to circulating issues so the composition of
what we offer the public has changed. The space to store magazines backfiles was
dramatically cut in 2000 and more will likely be done.
Use: we have good stats on use for most of our Internet stations. Between 1999 and 2003
Internet stations increase 89%, sessions increased 121% and the number of identifiable
users each month increased 88%. This is similar to the growth at the Esquimalt library in
2003. The numbers are interesting since we have about 7,500 to 8,000 different users
each month."
26. Can you tell us the story beneath the numbers? Why are you expecting growth,
stability, or a decline in the number of Internet workstations? Are population changes,
amount of available space, funding limitations or other constraints major factors?
[stories_100] n=41
- lack of space 17
- funding 10
- demand - is met 5 - not met 3
- population - decline 2 - growth 2
- redeploying OPACs to Internet workstations
"Service standards based on the size of population served in each branch catchment area.
Branches serving more than 800 people, 1 for every 3300 people, minimum of two
stations. All branches at standard except one where size of facility is below standard."
"The library's requiring additional workstations do not have the space. In many locations,
workstations and demand balance. Believe greater home ownership is the issue. Still
great demand for non-VPL members' Internet access."
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30. How has your provision of Internet access changed your community (school, college
or university) [stories_200] n=35
"1. Facilitated communication - faster and cheaper
2. Enabled access to information and resources not found locally
3. Made services like Interlibrary loans more efficient and therefore increased access to
resources for local residents
4. Allowed for some information to accessed electronically, therefore taking up less
library shelf space and providing more current information than, for example, a print
encyclopedia that may only be replaced every 4 years.
5. Allowed more people to live in Nelson and engage in business nationally and
internationally."
"people who have been living happily without the internet are beginning to see that it’s
sometimes the only way to find information and NVDPL has played a large part in
helping our patrons in general and seniors in particular access and learn to use the
Internet (and computers)in a non-intimidating environment.
Internet access has increased the range of information available to people at the library
(often useful for various reasons for those who have home internet access to use the
library’s internet stations).
It has allowed access to the internet for people who don't have computers, and help in
using the Internet for all our citizens."
"Many patrons first gained internet access and competency at the library and have since
acquired their own computers."
"It has certainly increased the number of Library users, since there are many people who
come in only for the Internet, especially teenagers. It has also allowed older users to learn
new technology and to communicate with children and grandchildren around the world."
"The internet allows library staff to provide a level of reference service that is far higher
and faster than before. We also have many people coming into the library who did not
use the library before we provided internet service."
"Increased use by tourists who make the library their first stop in the community.
Free Internet access also brought behavioural problems, particularly with young adult
users.
Much higher use of library facilities by non-traditional users.
Library users are becoming more sophisticated which in turn places higher expectations
of library collections."
"- brings in people who otherwise wouldn't use the library often
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- now it's easy for staff to answer the obscure reference questions that used to be
stumpers or referred elsewhere
- expectations of the library have increased and budgets are stretched..."
"Access to information and services not physically available in remote branches.
Provided more self service options for customers (reference in particular).
More customers who come to the library primarily to use internet workstations."
"Many use the library for only Internet access (approximately 12,000 since 1996). More
used by non-residents. More used by children."
31. What aspect of Internet access has made the most difference to your library users?
[stories_110] n=39
- email 23
- free 4
- speed 5
- licenced dbs / research /reference 7
32. What aspect of Internet access do you think will be the "most influential" of the next
5 years? [stories_120] n=36
- greater speed
- e-gov (and support for form completion)
- real-time collaboration
- email
"Privacy issues will be high on everyone's agendas.
Abuse of Internet will be on an increase.
Security type applications will be doing a booming business.
There may be a drive (by the governments) to introduce some form of taxes, at least on
commercial traffic and a drive to introduce 'Regulations'.
(If this was in verse, I would sound like Nostradamus)"
"I used to think it would be the downloading of music, books, and video for home use,
but now I think it will still be the access to information and e-mail."
33. Can you illustrate the changes you have seen in the use of Internet workstations with
a story from your library? [stories_130] n=25
"A new mother came into the library with her baby, mentioning in casual conversation
that she wished that she could send newborn pictures immediately to her family who
lived in England and Eastern Canada. I had just gotten a digital camera and told her that it
was certainly possible via the Net if her family had access to the net.
22
We took some photos of her beautiful little girl and she was delighted that her parents
were able to see the little one at 3 days old immediately. We have since helped others in
the same way and it has been much appreciated."
"Our community has a high number of transient agricultural workers every year. This
past year, most of the workers already had confirmation of jobs before arriving in the
community as they had applied via email. The same was true for their next job, each day
we saw workers coming to the library to send out applications to the area they would next
be going."
"A 13 year old student from the middle school across the road from the library, comes
over every Friday afternoon to wait for her dad to pick her up after work. One day she
asked if we could show her how to set up an email address so she could email her mom,
who lives in Edmonton. Her mom had a computer but not email because she didn't know
how to set up a hotmail account, so one of our staff phoned the mom and talked her
through this and they sent email to each other every week. This young girl has gone from
sad faced to glowing. Now she uses the internet to study and her dad told us that her
grades have really improved."
"...We have a couple of young Asians who come in to email their families in Chinese and many Germans here to ski in the winter who use the stations to communicate with
families and friends back home.
"I see many of our seniors coming into the Library and confidently, without any
assistance use the computers. One lady in particular, would come in daily to e-mail her
daughter stationed in Bangkok. This lady is Danish and therefore English is her second
language. We knew that when she booked time on the computer, that one of us would
spend that full hour by her side, assisting her: we actually had to keep her password for
her in the Library.
Through CAP funding we were able to hire a CAP youth to train the public on internet
uses. We hired an exceptional young lady that had huge successes with all ages. We did
however target seniors for training. And of course we encouraged our Danish lady to take
training. (This would free up to 5 hours of staff time a week!) The unfortunate part of the
story is that we rarely see her anymore: she has web-tv at home! She does all her
banking, e-mailing, books trips and plays solitaire on her web-tv."
34. Do you think the library's Internet workstations should have more emphasis on
research (as opposed to email, or general web browsing)? [stories_150] n=38
- No 17
- yes 9
- yes, but... a few (need to ensure access to research)
"Ideally yes, but it's virtually impossible to prescribe how people will use the Internet so
how to accomplish this is not an easy question to answer. Perhaps by promoting highquality online databases, but the cost of these make the acquisition unlikely."
23
"No, but it must make sure there are sufficient workstations available for those who want
to do research."
35. If Internet workstations are put in remoter parts of the library, do you think this
lessens the Library's ability to help library users with research? [stories_160] n=37
- Universally yes
- caveat - some patrons need privacy
"Yes - it also increases the risk of vandalism and inappropriate use. We may look at
locating some stations just for Email on the lower floor but would not locate research
stations too far from the front desk."
"Our experience has been the remote workstations are used less and there are greater
problems with theft."
36. What topics do you cover in your training? Other? [train_other] n=13
- web page/site design 4
- digital literacy / web awareness / privacy - 5
"Digital Photography, Maintenance, Web Page Design, security and Privacy"
"Although we do not offer formal training in office tools, staff are willing to help our
customers when needed. As not all staff are fully conversant in some the of applications
that the public wants to use, we cannot always provide the assistance / troubleshooting
needed. We've also done workshops on web site design."
"Web page design"
"Digital Photography, Maintenance, Web Page Design, security and Privacy"
"Outlook Online - 2000 or so
Web Awareness modules - safety on the net"
"genealogy, families on the net, child safety on the net, consumer information, travel
information, bookclub information"
"WebAwareness Sessions, Bibliographic instruction"
"We had someone come in and give a workshop on the computers themselves. He opened
the case, showed them hard drives, cards, motherboard, etc. It was very popular."
24
"Informal EBSCO training & OPAC training one-on-one with patrons as required."
"We've done OPAC training since their introduction in about 1985. Web based OPAC
training since 1999 when it was introduced."
39. Current purchase standard (or actual features) (Dec 31, 2003).
Provide brief description of the processor, hard disk and RAM (memory) of the most
recent Internet workstation purchased for the library. [purchase_features] n=35
Pretty current when purchased - now seem to be in the 1.8GHz and up range.
40. Current refusal standard - you would turn down a donation like this.
Are there some computers that you would not accept as a gift? Provide a brief description
(processor, disk, RAM). [minimum_features] n=36
- don't take
- PIII
- P4
~ 400MHz and up
- too much difficulty with donated systems
42. What plans do you have for supporting wireless networking installation in your
library a) for Internet workstations, and b) for library walk-in users bringing laptops,
wireless-equipped PDA's, etc. with them? [wireless_plans] n=36
- no plans - most respondents
"Our two Public Access computers are wireless. We have no plans at the present for
supporting 'walk in' users with equipment"
"Central Library provides WiFi access. Will deploy to other branches by end of 2004."
"both of these will be supported in our new main library currently projected for 2006.
Strategies on dealing with authentication and other security issues will be part of the
detailed design of the building project."
"Some branch workstations are wireless already. We are looking at how to provide
wireless service for walk in users. There has been almost no demand for this service so
far, though."
"Planning to research wireless options in Q3-4 2004."
"Install by the end of 2004 in central and some branches for library walk-ins."
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Other/General Stories, by jurisdiction
Ontario
Windsor Public Library
This library project engages many community partners to provide 3 types of
programming. These are: enhancement of existing early years services by redesigning
their current space and adding program materials; creating a designated early years space
with developmentally appropriate materials; expansion of the print collection focusing on
board books for infants, multilingual books for children and parenting books; and
creation of an early years parenting kiosk, with materials connecting parents to services.
New services for parents and children on site include pre-school story time, and Mother
goose programme for infants and toddlers; weekend story times (multilingual) in
partnership with multicultural agencies; a service where parents can ask for advice from
an early years specialist and outreach to parents in the community, which includes
training of community agencies, parents and lay care-givers in storytelling; promoting the
importance of reading to young children.
Oxford County Library
“A senior who had a colostomy was paying all non-prescription supply costs out of
pocket until his wife learned on-line at a library that some are covered by OHIP. Library
staff obtained information for the client regarding what is covered, how to complete the
form and provided referral to the Community Care Access Centre for additional help.”
Lincoln Public Library
“Through CAP sustainability funding, we have recently added two adaptive technology
computers with integrated magnification and screen reading for public Internet access by
people with print disabilities. One adaptive technology public access workstation has
been established at each CAP library site in Lincoln. Each library has a computer that is
equipped with a 21” monitor, large print Keyboard, optical wheel mouse, integrated
screen reader and magnification software (Zoomtext Xtra Levels 1 and 2). All library
staff, including student pages, received demonstrations on the new workstations to secure
their understanding of the opportunity that adaptive technologies offer for print disabled
people. Similarly, representatives from several community organizations responded
positively to the invitation to come to the library for demonstrations. As a result,
organizations in the immediate area like the Canadian National Institute for the Blind
(CNIB), Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAO), Literacy Council of
Niagara West are now aware of the inclusive nature of Lincoln’s CAP sites and can
encourage their clients who need adaptive technologies to take advantage of the expanded
access. Since the public awareness campaign was launched in mid-May, three community
members have registered for one-on-one training on the adaptive technology
workstations. One student is visually impaired and two have learning disabilities. The
Project Coordinator has developed a training program for implementation.
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Whitefish River First Nation Public Library.
“The Whitefish River First Nation Public Library is a major access point of our
community for computer and Internet services, as we are the only site in the community
that provides these services for free. The stats have continued to rise in the time that the
computers have been here. Computer/Internet usage is up by more than 100%. By being
able to fully network the computers and install the satellite modem, the clients are
provided with high speed internet access. The patrons utilize the computers because of
the quality and variety of Microsoft software. Patrons greatly appreciate the free training
and technical assistance. The librarian provides help to all patrons in using the computers
and navigating the Internet. It is very important that this type of technology is available to
everyone, regardless of race, gender, income, or age. Training is provided by the
librarian.”
Oxford County Library
We have had a woman approximately 30 years old coming to the library for about the
past 3 years. Due to her religion she has only completed grade eight. She lives on a farm
with no electricity, or modern conveniences. She presently is working as a housekeeper
for some local families. In the summer of 1999 the CAP student here at the library
offered to help her learn about computers. He told her the basic parts of the computer and
what the computer is capable of doing. He then gave her instruction in using Microsoft
Word. She went through basic, intermediate and started advanced work books with him.
He set her up with an email account and showed her the basics of the Internet. She still
corresponds with him through email. After his term was done, the library had a co-op
student here for 4 months. She then came in to receive help from the co-op student. She
learned more about the Internet, and how to create a resume. She has since created a
resume in Microsoft Word, and taken it to future employers. She comes in faithfully once
a week to either create a letter or a project in Microsoft Word, or to learn things on the
Internet. She was able to find a picture and information about the grandfather of her pure
bred horse. She is always thanking us for all the information and learning that she
receives here at the Library. It has been a great pleasure to see someone learn so much
from the local library.
Oxford County Library
“This patron moved to town approximately one year ago. She was married and had a
fulltime job. She first came to the library to browse, check out books, and search the
Internet. Approximately six months after she moved here, she lost her job to downsizing,
and split up with her husband. She came into the library to upgrade her resume. She
wondered what Service Canada was. I explained it to her and showed her the links to the
job banks. She would come into the library every day to check the job banks and see what
jobs were out there. Using the new Service Canada equipment she would fax her resume
out to the jobs that interested her from the job banks. Within a month she had a part time
waitress position, and a part time factory position. A week after getting hired for those
jobs she had an interview and was given a full time secretarial position. She is also very
thankful for the help the library offered her in a difficult time.”
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Nova Scotia Stories
From Colchester-E. Hants:
One of our elderly borrowers faithfully came to the Truro branch every Saturday for many
years. The staff looked for her and helped pick out ten large print books. Saturday March
20th was no exception and so, with sadness staff read in the local paper that on the Sunday
she had died at the age of 95. We have many such seniors who rely on us to provide
specialized material and with the baby boomers coming along there will be more demand. In
Maitland there is an elderly borrower who is legally blind. The library is able to provide for
her specialized braille picture books so that she can read to her grandchild who is learning to
read. This speaks of how we are important in respects to Family Literacy.
Our winter reading program this year was Read to Feed which was sponsored by the
Truro Rotary Club. This program saw children of all ages reading to earn shares to go
towards buying livestock and other agricultural items to developing countries. The livestock
is given to families and the offspring of the animals are shared throughout the village. It is a
program that Heifer International organizes. It was well received by both the parents and
children and our teen participation increased. It was a way for the library to be part of a more
global existence and helped bring out the community's social conscience and awareness of
others.
The Teen Friends of the Library are interested in community service. They are at an age
where their social conscience is being developed. They help us provide seasonal programs
for the younger children and will represent the library in community fund-raising. They
make up a team for the annual Bowl for Kids to help support Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
As they are helping us and the community the program provides a good opportunity for
social interaction with their peers and helps build new friendships and nurture old ones.
From a local campaign regarding funding issues:
For me personally, the library has helped me get information I have needed for research
through my Distance Education. Also, it has provided me with a safe place to take my
daughters to learn and grow. (Brookfield)
For me personally, the library has been a life line, living in a rural community. I've
transported may seniors over 30+ years; they have enjoyed social aspect, as well as books.
Library and bookmobile, in our case, has played enormous part in lives of my 6 children (9th
university degree soon to be conferred). Literacy is a life-long skill, freely accessible, the
great equalizer. (Brookfield)
For me personally, the library has been an educational aid for myself and my family. We
have derived much pleasure as well as much knowledge over many years. We fell the library
is a great and invaluable place for our area. We need to encourage old and young to continue
learning. The library does this. (Maitland)
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For me personally, the library has helped me get a job using the Internet, given me
entertainment when I had no money, helped me do research for learning. One of the truly
equal playing fields left! (Truro)
For me personally, the library has always been a vital part of my community. I use it every
week! We use it for our reading pleasure and to research various projects or problems or
solve a curiosity. I am continually amazed by the impact a librarian has on our community she/hehas the world at her/his fingertips. Many squeaky wheels receive more funding please do not reward them at the expense of this quiet and very necessary part of our
community. (RR1 Stewiacke)
For me personally, the library has been essential to my mental well-being. I would not have
retired to live here if there had not been a library in the village. (Tatamagouche)
From Western Counties:
When a Francophone program for adults with special needs needed a classroom they turned
to the Clare branch of Western Counties Regional Library. The library meets the linguistic
needs of its Acadian population with its large French collection and bilingual service, and it
has invested in adaptive technology software. So on weekday mornings, when the library is
closed, school is in session. The Clare Library understands that access means more than
installing a wheelchair ramp.
When Radio CJLS in Yarmouth, N.S. needed a partner for a community children’s Christmas
appeal they linked to the power of their regional library system. The library’s 10 branches
served as drop offs for community donations of books for hospitalized children and the
children’s librarian provided the professional resource. More than 7,000 books were donated
during the three-week campaign, providing reading material to sick kids in three hospitals
throughout the region.
From Cape Breton:
The TechnologyForAll Project in place at the Cape Breton Regional Library provides
information technology driven employment interventions through the Gates Resource Centre
to unemployed and under-employed persons and the general public to improve their
technological competence, resulting in improved employment opportunities. The goal of this
project is to provide comprehensive, accessible service which will narrow the technology
information gap in the community and assist individuals in finding and keeping employment.
This is the third year that the Library has partnered with HRDC to provide the service. Two
employment counsellors/trainers and an assistant provide assistance to members of the
community with employment, labour market and software difficulties. This project has
witnessed many success stories, and is currently working to capacity as the benefits to users
are becoming well known, among which are the following:
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A man sent by Worker’s Compensation as part of his work rehabilitation program said he
learned more in two mornings at the Gates Centre than he did in 6 weeks in other courses.
A woman came in earlier this month saying that people at EDS (a local call centre) had told
her if she came to the Gates Centre to take courses, she would have a job when she finished.
She was one of several that were directly referred from local call centres. When the Library
previously set up a table to take library registrations at the call centre, another individual said
he was employed as a direct result of the skills he was able to develop from attending
programs through the Gates Resource Centre.
James
After many years with his company as manage of the company warehouse, James was told
that a high school completion diploma was now required. Despite being very good at his job
and very popular with coworkers, James was going to lose his position if he didn’t obtain a
grade twelve equivalency. In his late 50's, it had been over forty years since James had been
inside a classroom. James was experiencing feelings of desperation. He had to act quickly,
but he realized that the skills he had possessed when he left school in the tenth grade had
long since disappeared. James decided on the GED as the most logical course; he knew he
could attend sessions after work through the week and on his day off at the Gates Resource
Centre. He also knew that the GED was the least expensive and probably the fastest route to
his goal. It wasn’t easy. James’ job had furnished him with considerable math skills, but the
language component seemed completely alien. After two months of preparation, he decided
to try writing the GED tests. On his first attempt, James did not successfully complete the
Social Studies or the Language Arts Writing tests. After waiting three months, he tried again.
This time, he passed Social Studies but not the Language Arts Writing. Dejected, he very
seriously considered giving up, not only on passing the GED, but also on attempting to keep
his job. James called one day after not attending for several weeks and said, “I’ll give it one
more try. If I don’t get it this time, that’s it.” On his third attempt, after six months effort,
James finally passed the Language Arts test and received his high school diploma. The
combination of the assisted learning he had through the Gates Resource Centre, and the
support materials he was able to borrow from the library’s collection, helped him to achieve
his goal. What is more important, he kept his job. For some, passing the GED test is purely
for personal satisfaction. But for others, like James, the stakes are much, much higher.
Kim
Kim was in her mid-twenties and a mother of two young children when she began the Gates
program. Like most who enter into upgrading programs, the biggest barrier to success was a
lack of confidence. Finding time to attend and prepare for the GED with small children was
also a major obstacle. Kim required nearly constant reinforcement. She had left school as a
teenager to raise the first of her children, and had doubts about her ability to get through so
much material. Most people who leave school at an early age equate their lack of education
with a lack of potential or intelligence. Such was the case with Kim, at least in the beginning.
Any time that Kim was introduced to a new concept, especially in math, her eyes and mouth
would both widen and she would exclaim, “I can’t do that!”. When she did eventually obtain
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the specific skill, she would exhale as though she had just survived a life-threatening event.
After months of preparation, and despite being more than ready to write the tests, Kim was
adamant that she would not pass. The instructor was beginning to believe that this fear would
be her downfall when it came time to write the tests. He was pleasantly surprised when Kim
told him she had passed the GED test quite easily. He believes she was surprised as well. A
while after this, Kim stopped by to tell him that she was enrolled in the Cosmetology
programme at the Nova Scotia Community College and that she was at the top of her class.
She was extremely excited about her prospects and even declared that she would probably
enter another programme after the current one was completed. A lack of confidence had been
replaced with a bursting enthusiasm and the desire to succeed.
Newfoundland stories
September 11th 2001
On September 11th, Gander, Stephenville, St. John’s and the surrounding vicinities
played host to thousands of stranded passengers. Our libraries provided email and
Internet access for passengers with a lot of time on their hands. The Gates laptops were
set up at each of the sites and some of the libraries stayed open extra hours to meet the
demand.
Of the several hundred passengers brought to Gambo, Sylvia Collins wrote “They lined
up to use the telephone and the Internet. To their amazement Internet access was free!
...From Wednesday to Saturday we had visitors from the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Central
America and New Zealand. Refreshments were provided on a daily basis. Several
financial contributions were placed in our donations can.”
In Stephenville, the Kindale Library provided passengers with a gathering place to share
information and keep in contact with family and friends, to check out airline schedules, or
to contact business associates. Some of the passengers didn’t speak English and the staff
did everything possible to locate the information that they were looking for. The visitors
said they were impressed with the fast internet connection in a small town. A New York
law professor returning from a business trip said “It’s like Shangri-la; the people are so
friendly and the terrain is so beautiful. There is no doubt, we will be returning with
friends.”
Glenda Peddle from Gander wrote: “We welcomed a steady stream of people wanting to
use the internet to e-mail family and friends....approximately 1100 people used our
system during that time - people from Kenya, Uganda, Ireland, Belgium, France and the
U.S. In a time of such turmoil, we found it gratifying to provide a safe haven to these
people.”
Some library staff also helped out in a private capacity to help church and other groups
organize the feeding and sheltering of the “plane people”. Maria Benoit (Stephenville
headquarters secretary), who knows Spanish, was asked to help communicate with a
plane load of Spanish-speaking passengers. Jewel Cousens (Provincial Resource
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Library) helped cook and do laundry for Delta Flight 65 passengers staying at the
Salvation Army’s St. John’s Temple. She said "It was the hardest work I've done for a
long time but the most rewarding work I did all year. I felt really proud to be a
Newfoundlander - we did everything because it's something bred in our psyche. The
passengers told us that they didn't think we would be so well treated if this had happened
in Manchester, England where the flight had originated.”
While this event took place six months ago, it is still having a residual effect. Stories
about Newfoundland’s hospitality appeared in newspapers, and on TV. Late last year,
ABC came to Gander to do a piece that appeared on Prime Time. Since that show aired,
some viewers, who were not among the stranded, sent money to the Gander Library,
because they were so moved by the generosity of Newfoundlanders! To date, the library
has received almost $900, as well as donations of books.
Alberta stories (excerpts from 2003 Annual Report and Survey and a few public comments
from 2002 customer surveys)
Acme Municipal Library (pop. 648)
Many of our patrons order books on line. This is great because we are a small library yet
everything is accessible to our readers.
Customers:
Book club makes me feel like university days again – love it
The library makes me feel better
Alix Municipal Library (pop. 825)
The board is still concerned with the ongoing technological and internet costs. There are
concerns about the shortage of funding for operational costs. We are trying to keep the
library open, and providing programs at minimal or no cost, but it is getting very
challenging - and we are competing with all the other local groups for fundraising dollars.
Alice B. Donohue Library and Archives, Athabasca (pop. 2415)
We work closely with Words Work, our local literacy program. We provide a venue for
Books for Babies and Family Literacy Week displays. We also have staff members who
act as volunteer tutors for the adult literacy component of Words Work. We provide
whenever possible contributions to other organizations. This usually takes the form of
free library passes or book bags to be given in the way of prizes.
Banff Public Library (pop 8282)
Banff Public Library was a first-time participant in Wordfest, the Banff-Calgary
International Writers’ Festival. The library was the venue for entertaining presentations
by children’s author Andrea Spalding and by science writer and broadcaster Jay Ingram.
The Banff Library worked collaboratively with other non-profit and for-profit galleries
and museums in Banff to organize Banff’s Culture Walk in the summer of 2003.
Customers
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Very impressed with this library – the collection of books videos and magazines is
fantastic, especially for a town as small as Banff. The staff are the friendliest, coolest
librarians I have ever come across and the atmosphere is so welcoming and even relaxing
– so many people I know come here just to hang out- whoever heard of people doing
that? Congratulations and thank you all in one.
Bassano Municipal Library (pop 1320)
As a board we have worked very hard over the past year to fundraise and help raise
community awareness of the library. Our librarian has gone over and above the call of
duty to help with the transition to computerization and system membership. Her
volunteer hours are huge and without her dedication, I am not sure if we could have made
such smooth transition to Shortgrass Library System.
Berwyn Women’s Institute Public Library (pop 546)
This library continues to provide library services at approximately the same level of
service despite the increased costs of operating the library e.g. utilities and other fixed
costs. We have had to make cuts in items not frequently used by patrons. We have
increased our interlibrary loan usage and internet references to meet the changes. The
decrease in our population and provincial grants will mean a further increase in this trend.
Training and staff development were scaled back due to financial concerns.
Big Valley Public Library (pop 340)
We purchased a second computer for public Internet use and connected it to a
printer/scanner/photocopier. It has closed to doubled client computer use and revenues.
It’s a Mac and the kids especially like it for homework. The afternoon Cocoa Club is a
sort of drop-in for students. The winners of the Summer Reading Contest (one of whom
totted up an astonishing 172 hours) have volunteered to be Reading Buddies at large and
have drawn in many kids we never would have seen otherwise. The board has applied
for a “Casino Night: from the AB Gaming Commission. These funds are earmarked for
renos that will provide space for another workstation in a new children’s area. We are
raffling a beautiful quilt donated by the Heartland Quilters Guild. The proceeds will
purchase youth non-fiction, print and e-media. “Edutainment” is a big mover here.
Blackfalds Public Library (pop 3812)
At the end of 2003 we received a CAP grant from Industry Canada and APLEN and set
up a wireless network in our library. We believe that this will prove to be a valuable
resource to business travelers who are traveling to Joffre or to some other destination in
our area. We have encountered some obstacles regarding getting the work out that we
now provide this service. It is illegal to post signs on public highways for services in a
municipality. We are attempting to contact the Human Resources departments in the
large companies in our area to have them put a link on their web sites and to post our
posters in an accessible area. We would like to upgrade our web site to include this new
service, but are finding that it is very expensive to hire a qualified person to make the
necessary changes….
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Brooks Municipal Library (pop 11,604)
Over the past year we have seen a large jump in the amount of sharing we do with other
libraries in our system and with libraries around the province. Needless to say, patrons
love it! Having a book someone would be unable to purchase come all of the way from
Fort McMurray to the southeastern part of the province is an impressive feat and one we
are proud to take part in. Library service in Alberta is undoubtedly an excellent example
of how sharing not only benefits local members, but members of libraries throughout the
province.
As sharing between libraries increases however, so does the need to maintain, repair and
replace library materials. There are also postage costs associated with moving materials
around such a large province. As more people use the TAL card and as TALonline enters
into a new phase with patron holds on materials, the workload will also increase for staff
at individual libraries and system headquarters. Sharing does provide a savings, but as
we willingly take on the responsibility for reciprocal borrowing, so must we continue to
look for funds from our major stakeholders such as the province to support this incredibly
worthwhile venture.
Claresholm (pop 3,622)
We are into our 2nd year of the Golden Eagle Children’s Choice Book Award. Last year
was very successful. Our goal was to promote the fund of reading and also promote
Alberta authors. We had 11 nominated titles written by Alberta Authors. Students from
Grades 4-7 had to read a minimum of 4 books to qualify as a judge, thus being eligible to
vote for their favourite book. We had 261 students qualify as judges and of those, 63
students read all 11 titles. This was a joint project between the schools and public
libraries in Nanton, Stavely, Granum, Fort Macleod and Claresholm. Monica Hughes
book “Stormwarning” won… and the other two finalists were Cora Taylor and Anita
Horrocks. They came to Claresholm for two days and did author visits and then joined in
the Gala with book signings, questions and answers and book signings. [ expanded in
2003]
Fort Saskatchewan (pop 13,824)
[Our library] has become a place where many people start their adult learning journeys.
Our library provides access to career and employment preparation materials as well as
free use of computers. FSPL has provided over 400 area residents with entry-level
computer training since the start of 2003. The program coordinator [of our local family
violence prevention service] reports to us that “All of the ladies who have come to the
library have enjoyed this positive experience. One client in particular has learned to use
your free computers to send email, create a resume, and look for work online. Visiting
the library is now regular weekly activity for her.”
Valhalla Centre (hamlet)
The services that our library offers are essential to our people as we have no other
services offered here. We are very pleased with our seniors outreach program which has
a clientele of 4. Interlibrary loans are always on the rise.
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Hanna (pop 2,986)
I have had the privilege of being the librarian at this mid-size town library for 20 years
and have seen so many changes – most of them very positive. The single largest change I
have seen is the continuously increasing demand from customers requesting highly
accurate, often technical and always timely information. This is certainly a challenge in a
rural area. We are becoming so much better at delivering this service – but- we need
more support. Staffing remains a major issue – and paying the staff at a reasonable level
is very difficult for small libraries.
Slave Lake (pop 9,440 town and municipal district)
Each summer we provide materials to personnel manning fire towers in our district.
There are delivered on a monthly basis by Forestry planes bringing groceries etc.
Stettler (pop. 10,583 town and county)
Monday Night at the Movies continues to be very well supported for the third year
running, with “pass” sales highest this year. This endeavour in conjunction with the
Toronto International Film Circuit and our “Friends of the Library” brings in the best in
film from around the world. Profits are donated to the library for the purchase of movies
of this type once they become available on DVD and video.
Customer comment: The Public Library gives me the opportunity to read books that
aren’t provided by the school library. It also allows me to borrow movies too! It is a
great privilege to have such a great library by my house. It’s so close I can ride my bike
there. In my opinion, the Stettler Library rocks!
Vauxhall (pop 1,112)
One of our patrons – approx. 60 years of age – writes a “Senior’s Column” for a
newspaper that is centred in Lethbridge. She does not own a computer. After several
informal sessions on our public computer, she now has an e-mail address, writes her
column in MS Word and e-mails this as an attachment to the editor of the paper. There is
much rejoicing each time this process is successful. In fact, she is now so confident that
on a recent trip to the U.S. she continued to write and e-mail the column. She tells me
that is was so easy – she just popped into the Public Library in whatever city she
happened to be visiting!
Wabamun (pop 601)
Another major accomplishment this year has been for our library to provide service to a
new charter school in our village. The Mother Earth Children’s Charter School began
their new year in Wabamun and contracted services with our library for reference and
reading services. We have been able to meet the needs of the children and staff in many
ways and this has allowed us to enrich our native studies section. We look forward to
serving this school for the next four years.
Wildwood (hamlet)
When the news hit our paper that the Wildwood Tourist Booth would not be operating in
2003, a FOWLS (Friends of the Wildwood Library Society) member suggested that
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Wildwood Library try it. We were able to receive funding from two organizations which
had previously sponsored the tourist booth to help with operating costs. We had approval
for 2 summer employees, so we hired two and were open 6 days a week. The tourist
information was an overwhelming success! We had 125 people sign in our guest book.
The tourists loved our clean bathrooms, free internet access and the “friendly and
helpful” staff.
Manitoba stories
Battle of the Books
Part of Manitoba’s campaign of “Think Active! Be Active! Live Active!” and held during
“I love to Read Month”, sixty-one of Manitoba’s rural and remote libraries challenged
each other in library combat. The goal was to raise the awareness of the critical role the
public libraries have in small town community life and to increase membership,
awareness and circulation. Manitoba over the last decade has actually seen an increase in
public library use. However understanding that print circulation of some non-fiction and
reference materials are declining as a result of the change from print to electronic media.
Manitoba’s public libraries wished to try to increase print circulation as well as provide
electronic access to their patrons. It was a goal that went against an international trend,
but was one that was fundamental to the small communities these libraries represented.
Part of this effort was a major success story, involving community pride and old
fashioned competition. A project committee was setup of various library administrators
from all corners of the Province. The battle rules were simple; the library region that had
the largest percentage increase in circulation in the month of February 2004 vs. February
2003 would be declared the victor.
The competition pitted region vs. region and community vs. community and thus
increased the awareness of the local public libraries through community pride. The
increase in circulation was an amazing 12.3%, with two of the libraries actually seeing
increases of over 100%.
The increased media awareness by the CBC and local newspapers provided wonderful
public relations opportunities for the public libraries of Manitoba. The project also
resulted in local donations to the public libraries including cash, gift certificates, and
donations of new materials.
Even today the public libraries are continuing to see an increase in circulation,
memberships and requests for special services as a result of the battle. The plans for a
rematch in 2005 are already underway, as the battle lines are being drawn.
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Quotes from local Newspapers:
“patronage at the Lakeland Regional Library is on the rise this year and for the first time
in a decade so is funding,” 28/02/04
“People are saying there is nothing on TV anymore and its time to start reading again.”
Killarney 28/02/04
“The price is right, selection and service are great, and we’ll feel wonderful stretching
that often overlooked organ above or necks” Brandon Sun 11/03/04
“its obvious that residents are eager to help their region win and encouraged people
looking for a good book to stop by.” The Flin Flon Reminder 10/03/04
“Overwhelming interest from CBC radio, and CJ1240, Opasqua Times, and our corporate
sponsors, were a major component of the success of this event.” Opasquia Times
02/04/04
Prince Edward Island stories
Email from A. Groen
An innovative project in which the Provincial Library Service(PLS) is a partner has been
named as a winner of a national Innovation Achievement award for 2004 for the creation
of the IsleAsk collaborative reference service. The award is sponsored by Canadian
information vendor Micromedia ProQuest. The award is very prestigious and a feather in
the cap for libraries in P.E.I. It reflects very positively on the abilities of staff and the
willingness to participate in shared project for the benefit of Islanders. The name
"IsleAsk" was suggested by Nicky Cleavelend of PLS staff. Other partners in the project
are Holland College (which took the lead role) and the Robertson Library at UPEI.
The Canadian Association of Colleges and University Libraries, a division of the
Canadian Library Assn., presents this award to libraries that have demonstrated
significant achievement in the area of ongoing programs/services offered to patrons or
library staff that are a regular part of the library's operation,
IsleAsk is a collaborative, province-wide reference service that uses software plus the
knowledge of librarians in the college, public and university library services to provide
answers to questions submitted by Islanders. Originally, it was developed under the aegis
of the Virtual Charlottetown TownSquare project (and it continues to be associated with
TownSquare). It may be found at www.islandlibraries.ca
The service demonstrates the behind-the-scenes cooperation between librarians and
institutions that has always existed, especially in a small province like this. Librarians
come from and serve different constituencies, and these differences occasionally make
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for interesting conversations on points of policy and procedure. There is but one service
ethic, however, which places the library user first.
In the initial 10 weeks of service, 74 questions on an amazing range of topics from a great
cross-section of users were received. PLS staff expected a good deal of “ready
reference”, but this has most definitely not been the case. There have been very few
“What is the population of X?” or “What are your hours?” examples in the mix of
questions, but rather, challenging queries such as “Please supply the provincial deficit
figures at the beginning and end of each government for the last fifty years”, questions on
Island history and architecture, plant propagation, the venting of propane appliances,
child care, dental practice equipment, waste management, beach access legislation, and
more.
New Brunswick stories
Saint John Celebrates Public Libraries Week Oct. 16-22
Local Authors and Public Libraries – Go Hand in Hand
FLORA KIDD
The Public Library is like Aladdin’s cave, full of mystery and hidden jewels.
As a reader I do not enter a library with a preconceived idea of the book I would like to take out
and read, but keep my mind open and allow myself to be enticed by the hundreds of hardbacks
that crowd the shelves. Often I like to browse amongst the returned books collected on trolleys
waiting to be put back in their places. This is a good way of finding out what other library users
are reading and to find excellent writing on new scientific and medical discoveries as well as
criticism and analysis of contemporary literature, art and politics.
As a writer I tend to spend much of my time in the section devoted to the history and development
of the Atlantic provinces. The books on this subject are few and far between but much can be
learned about the people who chose to settle in this part of the world. Hidden amongst some of
the more flamboyant historical books I have found slim memoirs, collections of letters and poetry
all written by Maritimers about their experiences. These are the books I have found useful when
attempting to create an authentic setting for a fictional story.
Also useful to students and would-be writers is the reference department of a public library
where past newspapers, encyclopaedias and directories can be consulted in peace, quiet and
comfort.
Flora Kidd is the author of 63 romance novels that include “To Hell or Melbourne” and “Until
We Meet Again,” about Marco Polo. The third part of this trilogy, “Restless Spirits” will be
published in January, 2001.
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FRED HAZEL
Browsing or borrowing, libraries have always held the magic key to an enchanting world of
learning. All the discovery, all the wisdom, all the literature of past, present and undoubtedly
future ages is there, between the covers of the books. And now tapes, videos and computers.
Ever since I could read, I’ve been a library fan. The pursuit of literature, the opportunity to
research other countries, other cultures, other ideas, spreads out like a magic carpet.
Of course I buy books but I’ve probably spent more spare hours in the Saint John Regional
Library and its predecessor, the old Public Library than in any other places of my youth or
senior years.
Ideas for newspaper columns, research for books, general information for mind improvement,
the wisdom of the ages is in our Regional Library. We’re fortunate to have such a resource.
I see my own book there: Get Yerself A Shin O’Heat. And I see the daily newspaper pages
which are the living chronicle of our era – including the Friday columns which I write in the
Saint John Times Globe. Irish poets like W. B. Yeats, our own Alden Nowlan, American writers
like Hemingway, Stephen Crane, and Stephen King, English masters like Somerset Maugham,
Canadian stars like Margaret Atwood, they’re all in the library
It offers everyone an opportunity to increase knowledge and improve information. Check it out.
Your library is a treasure trove.
Fred Hazel is a columnist with the Saint John Times Globe and the author of “Get Yerself A
Shin O’Heat.
DOROTHY DEARBORN
So, Saint John Free Public Library, what have you done for me lately?
Last year, the year before that and the year before that and…well, get my meaning? You not
only patiently put up with me day after day, week after week, scouring your amazing collection of
newspaper files but your staff, your wonderful, informed and intelligent staff actually cared
about what I was researching; offered ideas and recommended sources I didn’t know existed!
Now I have learned to ask.
Of course I can’t remember a time when I didn’t turn to you, first for sheer pleasure because in
the days before “paperbacks” most people couldn’t afford to buy books very often, except as
Christmas and birthday gifts. Your influence was eclectic, encouraging me to travel in outer
space with Isaac Asimov and inner space with Oscar Wilde.
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Yesterday’s dark alleys between ceiling high, dimly lighted “stacks” of books encouraged my
love of mystery and intrigue. Today I watch in wonder as old and young travel through
interspace on your computers, yet still leave at the end of the day with back packs full of books to
read. Books are easily found with a touch of a computer button.
May your aura of mystery continue to stimulate readers whether they come to you through the
magic of light waves or the simple plodding of curious and determined “souls.”
Dorothy Dearborn is the author of children’s books, and nine non-fiction works that include her
most recent, “New Brunswick Haunted Houses,” and “The Gallows of New Brunswick.”
DAVID GOSS
On my first day at new Albert School on Saint John’s west side in 1957 I discovered they had a
classroom sized library staffed by a brown eyed girl I wanted to meet. I joined immediately.
I didn’t get that girl but in the process of trying, the Star Weekly took me across Canada, Life
Magazine opened up the U. S. and National Geographic helped me explore the world. And my
favourite of all is the Franklin W. Dixon Hardy Boys series that took them to abandoned mines,
remote lighthouses, and spooky houses on remote cliffs.
For about a year, I didn’t get beyond the Hardy Boys. When a grade eight teacher ridiculed my
choice of reading, I went back to comics. I didn’t get back to books for a dozen years when I
took over the leadership of the Boys Scout Troop at St. George’s and needed lots of program
ideas. Someone told me the uptown library had the resources I needed, and I near wore out their
collection. I also took their storytelling workshop.
That was my first adult utilization of what I’ve come to discover is an inexhaustible supply of
help in almost any field. I couldn’t have done many of the 2000 articles I’ve written, the four
books I’ve done on local history, or the 400 plus walks I’ve led without utilization of library
material. I’d be negligent if I didn’t say that much of it would not have been found without the
help of the dedicated staff. And some of them have brown eyes!
David Goss is the author of “Old Time Christmas in New Brunswick” and co-author of “Saint
John West and Its Neighbours.”
GARY HUGHES
I have been a member of the Saint John Free Public Library for as long as I can remember – and
that is, fairly precisely, taking art classes upstairs near the skylight on Hazen Avenue in the mid1950’s and visiting the Children’s Department in the basement. Through the years expansion
has improved services with the creation of branches in the east and west and the move from the
Carnegie Building to Market Square. In my working life at the Brunswick Museum, I have
appreciated the resources available at the Information Centre and the Reference Library. The
newspapers on microfilm have been especially helpful in my research work and formed a
principal source for my exhibition catalogue Music of the Eye: Architectural Drawings of
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Canada’s First City, 1822-1914. In recent years, my life as a west sider has resulted in more
frequent visits to the branch in the Lancaster Mall where I satisfy my interest in mysteries and
popular fiction. The library is many things – a resource and learning engine, a refuge, a
borrowing emporium, even, dare I say it, a QUIET meeting place and, most of all, a keeper of
knowledge, past and present. Imagine a world without its books and other resources on offer
from films to recorded music and CD-ROMs. Let’s not.
Besides “Music of the Eye: Architectural Drawings of Canada’s First City, 1822-1914,”
Gary Hughes has written “Two Islands: Miscou and Lameque and Their State of Bondage,
1849-1861.”
ELIZABETH W. McGAHAN
I was introduced to “The Power of the Card” in the middle grades of Elementary school. Each
year, under Sister’s direction, our class lined up excitedly in two rows and walked in relative
silence the three blocks en route to our library field trip. At our neighbourhood branch of the
New York Public Library I received my first library card…and with it, perhaps a beginning sense
of community membership. Gratefully, our teachers portrayed the library as a wonderful place,
a site for leisure as well as labour.
Years later as a graduate student, I spent days in the main reading room on the New York Public
Library navigating its pamphlet collection in U. S. history. Part of that period included sitting
on the steps during lunchtime between the library’s two sentinels, the famous crouching lions.
Since coming to New Brunswick my understanding of our past has been enriched by the many
collections housed at the Saint John Free Public Library where the ambience of the Special
Collections Room blurs the line between work and rest.
Although most of my library time has been related to specific research, I have invariably felt part
of a new place as soon as I received my public library card. “The Power of the Card” has
always meant both access to information and membership in the larger community…possibly a
lingering residue from those happy excursions so long ago…
Elizabeth McGahan is a historian. Her published works have focused on aspects of the urban
and institutional history of Saint John.
JOAN HALL HOVEY
From the first time I could find my way to the library, I was a constant visitor. For me, the Saint
John Regional Library was a magical place – a hushed, warm haven where, through the pages of
a book, I could travel to far off exotic places in my imagination. I could experience vicariously
all the joy, romance, terror, tragedy and triumph of the characters in the story.
Among my favourite authors were Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Charlotte Bronte, Shirley
Jackson and Phillis Whitney. Far too many to list. I am forever grateful to them all for it was
through reading that the seed to be a writer was planted in me. I wanted to join the ranks of
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those authors who had given me so much pleasure, and in turn entertain my own dear readers.
The many letters and kind comments I have received tell me that perhaps, in some small way, I
have done that.
As well as penning suspense novels, “Listen the Shadows” and “Nowhere to Hide” Joan Hall
Hovey has had her short stories and articles published in various magazines and anthologies.
M. A. MacDONALD
From early days in school when I used to take out 4 or 5 books at a time, to later explorations in
the biography and history sections, the Public Library has been a continuing source of pleasure
and learning. Later, when starting researches in specialized subjects, it was a valuable source
for books I could not possibly have afforded to buy for myself. Interlibrary loans have enabled
me to gain access to books wherever they may be, across our wide country. The Public Library
has made it possible to investigate all sorts of ideas, scientific literary, philosophical, and so on,
and have made it possible to learn about the people and events of many nations and epochs.
Invaluable – that’s what my library experience has been.
M. A. MacDonald is the author of “Fortune and La Tour: The Civil War in Arcadia,”
“Robert LeBlant: Seminal Researcher and Historian of Early new France,” and “Rebels
and Royalists: The Lives and Material Culture of New Brunswick’s Early English
Speaking Settlers, 1758-1783.”
Letters of Appreciation (New Brunswick)
August 26, 1999
Dear Mr. Mayor:
I recently had the pleasure of spending a business trip in Moncton. As you know, Imperial has
recently established a call centre there.
I had one personal errand to perform. My father-in-law in the U. K. (now in his 80’s) had stayed
in Moncton in World War II as part of an RCAF training program. He was billeted at a place
called “The Armory” and while he couldn’t remember the site and thought it must have been
demolished, asked me if I could take a photo of the location if I could find it.
Upon inquiring at your Info office at City Hall, I was directed to your Reference Library. They
asked me the details – of which I knew few – and said they would call me at my hotel if they
discovered anything, and I thought that would be it.
Imagine my surprise to receive a call from a Mr. Jerry Walford from the library the next day. I
went in to see this gentleman and he had gone to the trouble of a) checking source materials; b)
contacting Moncton Museum; c) contacting the legion to try to find the answer to my question,
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and thus he was able to tell me that such a building has existed, was now demolished and had
been situated at 14 Clark Street.
I got my photograph and an old gentleman in England will be very happy.
My purpose in writing this letter to you is to let you know of Jerry’s efforts in the library which I
feel went beyond the call of duty in helpfulness to a visitor. It is heart-warming to find such a
friendly, helpful public employee who is a credit to your civic administration and helps make
Moncton such a pleasant place to visit and to do business. I would be grateful if you could pass
this on to the Chairman of the library board and the employee concerned.
Yours truly,
S. R. Bath
The Libraries in My Life
The Moncton Public Library is the penultimate in a long line of libraries in my life. For me, any
library has been my private club, and I, an honoured member. As a child it was the Montreal
Children’s Library in Montreal West, and my first librarian love, Mrs, Wallace, who steered me
on this path. Over the years, other public libraries adopted me.
When we moved to Moncton in August 1972, I was pregnant and didn’t know anyone, so
the logical thing for ME to do was join the library. In fact, auspiciously, we slept our first night
in Moncton across the street from the old Highfield Street facility.
The library provided me pregnancy, birthing, nursing and childcare books, but equally as
important, free reading to keep me sane. Soon I was toting my firstborn Mindy in a front pack,
squeezed in between the bookshelves in the crowded old library on Highfield Street. I remember
her learning to crawl, in a grimy pink leggings and sweater set, polishing a swath across the
floor.
The library also provided escape. The children’s room in the basement served for many
years as our sanctuary. Among the library staff and patrons, we met like-minded souls and made
real friends.
We’d come for a change of scenery as well as to borrow books, and I’d chat with other
frazzled moms. The kids would distract each other and stop whining. There were times of
frustration too, for me, when I was trapped with the kids’ room yearning for the grown ups’
library upstairs. Whenever I could squeeze it in, I’d treat myself to an evening trip to paradise.
The only thing missing was a bottomless teapot.
When we’d travel with the kids, we’d try to inspect the local library, as others check out
churches or ice cream parlours. Like the time our car broke down overnight in Woodstock N. B.
I have few memories of the town but remember the library: cool and welcoming, a fabulous pink
greystone Victorian library.
And that summer in the outback of PEI, we’d rent a cottage, a disaster equal to the
weather. We unearthed the local branch library in the public works garage (open twice a week, 2
hours a day) and we survived – nay thrived. Our last act before heading back to Moncton was to
drop off the books at the librarian’s back door.
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Over the years, my family has enjoyed story hours, projects, summer reading clubs,
author readings, and special programs like the percussionists Et plus K2 and the Reptile Man of
St. Antoine with his 10 feet of live boa constrictor.
Our kids have grown into adults and teenagers, and now use the library differently. It’s a
place to borrow tapes, science fiction books, Sports Illustrated, material for school projects,
watch videos and now we’re promised access to the Internet. It’s a wonderful, legitimate
hangout, since the kids always insist they’re going to study.
With more time to call me own, I’m reading more and working on my own writing. My
library provides the resources: magazines, picture books, biographies, non-fiction and especially
the works of Canadian and local authors for inspiration.
Over the years I’ve received so much from the library: it’s time to give back. I wits I had
the time to be a library volunteer to visit shut-ins with books and conversation and friendship. I
helped pack boxes of books when the library moved to its new home in the Blue Cross building,
and lent a hand with book launchings for Ann Copeland and Rhoda Kaellis. I’ve used the
meeting rooms for UNB continuing education, and was even invited to give a lecture on Why
comics are good for kids. I really believe this. My kids weren’t reading comics forever, but only
one stage on their literary development.
I couldn’t even imagine living in a place without a library: indeed I would have to start
one. So thank you to all the people who worked in all the libraries sin my life, and made them
possible for millions to enjoy. Our lives would be so much emptier without you.
- Joan Sichel
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