Chetwynd Public Library Library Director Annual Report 2017 · Chetwynd Public Library Library Director Annual Report 2017 Library Director Summary This year started with the question

Chetwynd Public Library Library Director Annual Report 2017

Chair Margaret Movold

Vice Chair Dana Bergen

Treasurer Rosa Enes

Trustees

Sara Hoehn

Tanya Harmacek

Gloria Millsap

Leslie Panoulias

Jennifer Pierce

Dan Rose: Peace River Regional District Representative

Rochelle Galbraith: District of Chetwynd Council Liaison

We will nurture the social, cultural, and economic success of our community by engaging the community in a spirit of reading, learning and discovery.

1 Chetwynd Public Library

Library Director Annual Report 2017

Library Director Summary

This year started with the question of do we stay or do we go. As much as we love our space we needed to take a

look beyond the surface to the structure of the building. With the support of our partners we looked at the mechanics of

the building with fresh eyes and perspective. Armed with knowledge of what lies beneath we asked the question is it

better to stay and renovate the current space or would it be better to start with a new building. The process included a

feasibility study which asked the community for their feedback. It also made all of us question so much of why do we so

what we do. Is there a better way? Do we stay status quo or disrupt and transform.

Library policy is not the pretty stuff of what we do. There are no cute photo ops, no fancy books to put on the

shelves. However, without a clear document to guide our decisions we are lost without direction. Evaluation of our old

policy was yearlong process of a committee from the board methodically going over a draft document which would

become the foundation for why we do what we do. It is an essential living document which we must ensure never falls

behind again.

In 2017 we also looked at updating the strategic plan for 2018-2021. We took the year to complete this process with

input from staff and board members driving a new vision for the library. We learned that the best path forward is to step

back and critically look at why we do what we do. The results of the community survey helped pave our path forward.

Supporting vision documents from the Ministry of Education: Libraries Branch, Peace River Regional District, District of

Chetwynd & North East Library Federation assisted us in designing our vision. Keep it simple and keep it realistic was the

refrain from our library team. Gone are the days of over complicated documents that no one will read. We felt it was

essential to have a vision document which will inspire our team to inspire the community.

What did we learn with these three major projects all colliding into one year? Balance and humility! We learned that

it is ok to admit when you are unsure of the next step and ask for help. That is not a sign of weakness but rather a show

of understanding for personal and organizational limitations. Talk! Talk to staff, talk to board members and talk to the

community. A vision means nothing unless it is a shared vision. Communication is key to moving forward as one team

who understands why we do the things we do.

I am going into my 6th year with the Chetwynd Public Library and one thing still never ceases to amaze me. The

support the community shows for this library is outstanding. It feels good to know that what we do is appreciated and

well received. It also is deeply satisfying to know that people feel welcome and able to voice their opinions. I am very

proud of this library and the dedicated team who work together to inspire the community. I am honoured to be but a

small part of this team. Together we are stronger and with humbled dedication we will work to ensure that the vision set

forth comes to fruition, one step at a time.

Ana Peasgood

Library Director



Contents

Library Director Summary ............................................... 1

Contents .......................................................................... 2

Library Feasibility Project ................................................ 3

Collection Development ................................................. 5

Intellectual Freedom ....................................................... 6

Friends of the Library ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Strategic Plan 2018-2021 ................................................ 9

Chetwynd Public Library 2017 SNAPSHOT .................... 11



Library Feasibility Project

As a Public Library Association,

we can’t own our building and we

are tenants to the District of

Chetwynd. 2017 saw us working

with our key stakeholder partners

on the future of our facility.

Representatives from the library sat

on the Advisory Committee and they

were tasked with working with the

consultants who were hired to

complete the Feasibility Study.

Library Planning Consultants, on

behalf of the Peace River Regional

District, completed the facility

feasibility study for the Chetwynd Public Library. The purpose of this study was to analyze the public’s current use of the

Chetwynd Public Library and to determine its future space requirements and programming.

To understand how much space was needed and to understand if a new facility is desired, the project team;

Analyzed current and expected usage

Examined library documents, statistics and services offered

Researched library trends (what do libraries offer now and what will they offer in the future)

Analyzed population in and around Chetwynd

Compared the current library to other libraries

Interviewed library staff and the board, elected officials, local government representatives, library users, and

community stakeholders: 17 meetings in total with 59 stakeholders

Gained input from public through a survey: 401 surveys returned!

Overall, the project team found that:

The current location is ideal being next to the schools, school bus exchange, and the Rec Centre

The library is very welcoming and a community hub for groups and activities

A bigger space is needed including dedicated quiet spaces, larger children’s areas, teen/youth areas

Parking is a challenge,\

More natural light is needed



The Advisory Committee’s preferred concept is adding the library to the Recreation Centre. The addition would be

~6,700 sq. ft. The library would have use of existing meeting spaces, storage areas, and mechanical operations in the

Recreation Centre

ESTIMATED Cost to Taxpayers for Addition onto the Recreation Centre

* Without grants or other contributions

Estimated Construction Costs = $1,508,000

Removal of Existing Library = $200,000

Contingency = $292,000

TOTAL = $2,000,000

Based on 2017 assessment rates, the tax rate would be $0.084 per $1,000 on the value land and improvements for the

construction of a new facility.

The next step of this project will be to have architectural drawings created in preparation for a community for a

referendum to approve the finances to build. The library is grateful for the ongoing support and we will continue to do

our best to assist our partners in this process.



Collection Development

How do libraries get books? They don't appear as if by magic. They're curated and cultivated. Strong collections of

books and other resources are the core of excellent library service. We are committed to developing robust and diverse

collections to best serve and inspire our public. We embrace the power of knowledge to change lives. Collection

development is an ongoing process requiring judgment and experience to balance competing needs and demands,

striving for the optimal use of the human and fiscal resources entrusted to us. Library staff exercise their professional

judgment and make use of tools such as reviews, bibliographies, collection knowledge, authoritative discussions of

genres or subject areas, consultation with the publishing industry, and recommendations from library users

The public library is a primary resource for life-long learning, offering a window on the wider world by providing a

wide range of relevant and timely materials. The library provides free access to all materials by all patrons regardless of

age, race, religion, familial belief, gender or political affiliation. Some library materials may be controversial or offensive

to some people. Materials are selected according to the needs and demands of the community, access to other library

resources, the present library collection and the budget.

Our library currently houses over 27, 136 items within our library. Interlibrary Connect allows us to borrow any book

within the province for our patrons with a simple click of a button. Our digital collection includes eAudio, eBooks, music,

movies, magazines and more with access for our patrons to over 68,000 titles!

Adult Fiction, 25.50%

Adult Magazines,

5.56%

Adult Non-Fiction, 24.53%

Audio Books, 1.99%

DVD's, 1.65%

Picture Books, 11.97%

Juvenile Fiction, 11.58%

Juvenile Magazines, 0.73%

Juvenile Non-Fiction, 12.02% Legal Material,

0.17%

Reference, 1.53%

Young Adult Fiction, 2.77%

Chetwynd Public Library Collection



Intellectual Freedom

Why Is Intellectual Freedom Important? Intellectual

freedom is the basis for our democratic system. We expect

our people to be self-governors. But to do so responsibly,

our citizenry must be well-informed. Libraries provide the

ideas and information, in a variety of formats, to allow

people to learn and grow. Whether you’re reading a book,

magazine or newspaper, listening to your favourite song,

watching a new movie or playing the latest video game,

Intellectual Freedom impacts your daily life in a free and

democratic society. Intellectual Freedom protects your

right to read, listen, write and speak your beliefs and

opinions – and everyone has the right to have an opinion or hear an opinion on any topic. Under Canada’s Charter of

Rights and Freedoms, the fundamental freedoms of thought, belief and expression allows every Canadian to explore

different ideas, hear all sides of an issue and gather information to make well educated and informed decisions.

Intellectual Freedom matters!

Canadian Library Association: Statement on Intellectual Freedom

Approved by Executive Council ~ June 27, 1974; Amended November 17, 1983; and November 18, 1985

Libraries have a core responsibility to support, defend and promote the universal principles of intellectual freedom and

privacy.

All persons in Canada have the fundamental right, as embodied in the nation's Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of

Rights and Freedoms, to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity, and to express

their thoughts publicly. This right to intellectual freedom, under the law, is essential to the health and development of

Canadian society.

Libraries have a basic responsibility for the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom.

It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual

activity, including those, which some elements of society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular or

unacceptable. To this end, libraries shall acquire and make available the widest variety of materials.

It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee the right of free expression by making available the entire library's public

facilities and services to all individuals and groups who need them. Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise

of these responsibilities while recognizing the right of criticism by individuals and groups. Both employees and

employers in libraries have a duty, in addition to their institutional responsibilities, to uphold these principles.



British Columbia Library Association Statement on Intellectual Freedom

1. It is in the interest for libraries and

librarians to make available the widest

diversity of views and expression, including

those which are unorthodox or unpopular

with the majority.

2. It would conflict with the public interest

for libraries to establish their own political,

moral or aesthetic views as the sole standard

for determining what books and other

materials should be published or circulated.

3. It is contrary to the public interest for

libraries or librarians to determine the

acceptability of a book solely on the basis of

the personal history or political affiliation of

the author.

4. There is no place in British Columbia for

extra-legal efforts to coerce the taste of

others, to confine adults to the reading

matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to

inhibit the efforts of the writers to achieve

artistic expression.

5. It is not in the public interest to force a

reader to accept any book with the

prejudgment of a label characterizing the book

or author as subversive or dangerous.

6. It is the responsibility of library administrators and librarians, as guardians of the peoples’ freedom to read, to

contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes

upon the community at large.

7. It is the responsibility of libraries and librarians to give full meaning to intellectual freedom by providing books and

other materials that enrich the quality of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility,

librarians can demonstrate that the answer to a bad book is a good one and the answer to a bad idea is a good one.

8. Non-book materials should be judged by the same criteria as books



Community Partners

The Library collaborates with many organizations in the community to help

us develop and deliver programs and special events to the community. We do

not always have the resources needed within our walls to achieve some of our

goals and often organizations do not have the space needed for them to reach

their goals. We have an open door policy of collaboration and we love when we

are approached with new ideas! 2017 was a fantastic year of partnerships and

inspired programming.

The Friends of the Library were created to support the Chetwynd Public

Library. These are community volunteers who are passionate about the library

and the services we offer the community. They are a dedicated group who meet

monthly and undertake initiatives within our library which help us meet our

goals. Tasks they undertake include having the monthly laundry completed, washing the outside of the building,

weeding the flowers beds, shelf reading and repotting plants .They are also library supporters coming to our library

events and programs and sharing our mission within the community. They undertook a large scale community event this

year which was very well received! They brought back the Festival of Trees which and raised over $6500 to upgrades

towards the children’s area of the library. We are so grateful to our Friends of the Library for all they do!

We also partnered with the Chetwynd Recreation Centre and thanks to a Northern Health HEAL grant, we were able

start a new program to promote the importance of physical literacy. The Check It Out! Fitness pass program allows our

patrons to be able to check out a fitness pass per card member once per week for use at the Rec Centre. These passes

can be used for swimming, skating, fitness classes, wall climbing or the gym. It is a fantastic way for people to be able to

access the facilities located next to us when finances may be a barrier.

With the financial support of a BC Hydro GO Grant, we were able to purchase a 3D printer for use within the library

and to be checked out to local schools for classroom use. This project brings the technology for public use within our

library walls but also takes it on location to support the new BC curriculum as well as enable access to technology for

some of our more vulnerable populations. This printer has been very popular with our tweens and teens. It is a great

example of partnerships which support lifelong learning and inspire creativity and discovery.

The above are but a few of the partnerships we have with organizations in the community. The synergy created

from working collaboratively results in greater accomplishments than each group working on its own could ever hope to

achieve. Increased participation leads to increased community awareness. When we work with a number of

organizations we are able to share our message with a great many more people and, through word-of-mouth with their

associates, to an exponentially larger pool of people. It is win-win for all those involved and helps the Library be a

gathering space and a hub of ideas.



Strategic Plan 2018-2021





Chetwynd Public Library 2017 SNAPSHOT

Documents

Chetwynd Public Library Library Director Annual Report 2017 · Chetwynd Public Library Library Director Annual Report 2017 Library Director Summary This year started with the question