LIBRARY NEWS CLIPPINGS AUG - SEPT 2001
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY
Readers gather on International Literacy Day (Abbotsford News, Abbotsford, BC - Sept. 1, 2001)
The Clearbrook Library will host the Abbotsford Literacy Association's International Literacy Day celebration on Sept. 8. Abbotsford mayor George Ferguson will open the event, which will feature readings, refreshments and crafts.
Literacy Day Sept. 8 (Chilliwack Times, Chilliwack, BC - Sept. 4, 2001)
Describes the activities of the Families in Motion program offered by the Fraser Valley East Literacy Association. The Fraser Valley Regional Library is one of their community agencies.
Canada has mixed score in reading (The Record, New Westminster, BC - Sept. 5, 2001)
Column offers results from a 1994 survey co-sponsored by Statistics Canada on the subject of international adult literacy. The survey was the first to compare literacy levels across 20 countries. Findings showed that Canada scored very well in some areas but poorly in others. Suggestions for improvement included reading to your children and an emphasis on life-long learning.
Take time out for reading (Trail Daily Times, Trail, BC - Sept. 6, 2001)
Reminds readers to stop and think about reading on Sept. 8. A number of local literacy projects are outlined. To celebrate, the Trail & District Public Library will host a reading by children's author Richard Thompson.
Photo with no headline (Cranbrook Daily Townsman, Cranbrook, BC - Sept. 10, 2001)
Photo shows children's author Richard Thompson speaking to children at the Cranbrook Public Library as part of the library's literacy day festivities.
BUILDINGS
Library rent goes up (Chilliwack Times, Chilliwack, BC - Aug. 10, 2001)
The new Yarrow Library will be about one third larger than its predecessor. The City of Chilliwack will therefore pay increased rent by the same ratio. Council voted to increase annual rent by $3,240 per year.
Build Lynn Valley library now (North Shore News, North Vancouver, BC - Aug. 19, 2001)
Letter to the editor from Ernie CrIst, Councillor, District of North Vancouver: According to a district planning staff timetable, the new Lynn Valley library, originally scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2002 or spring of 2003, will now not be completed before 2005 or 2006. It may even be "abandoned" altogether. Given that a 1996 referendum approved the money for the construction, Crest urges the council to proceed with the project as planned.
Library expansion stalled (Peninsula News Review, Sidney, BC - Aug. 29, 2001)
Executive director of the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), Penny Grant, announced the expansion of the Sidney/North Saanich Branch, originally slated for 2005, will be delayed until 2008. Sidney Councilor Peter Wainwright said the delay was due to the District of Central Saanich decision to leave the VIRL catchment area in favour of the Greater Victoria Public Library system, and sited the possibility of decreased usage at the branch.
Enderby library needs surface following rainfall (The Morning Star, Vernon, BC - Aug. 31, 2001)
A recent heavy rainfall flooded the Enderby Library. This is something that has occurred a number of times in the past, reinforcing the feeling that a new library location in needed. Despite an Okanagan Regional Library study stating the library's 1,860 sq. ft. should be nearly doubled to meet population and circulation realities, Enderby Mayor Gordon Dale says that while he has sympathy for the damage done, concerns over keeping taxes down must be considered.
Library move (Undercurrent, Bowen Island, BC - Aug. 31,2001)
Municipal council passed a resolution beginning the process to make up to $45,000 available to the Bowen Library to remodel the Old General Store as a new public library. The Library Board has negotiated a lease for the facility's 2300 sq. ft. first floor with the GVRD parks department. If final approvals are granted, the library could relocate in late fall.
New library in the works (Alberni Valley Times, Port Alberni, BC - Sept. 4, 2001)
As part of its ten-year plan, Vancouver Island Regional Library's board of directors has announced that the Port Alberni Library will move to a new 8000 sq. ft. branch by 2005. Other branches slated to get larger quarters include Cowichan, Comox, Nanaimo, South Cowichan, Sydney/North Saanich and Chemainus.
Bogs urges library action... (Trail Daily Times, Trail, BC - Sept. 7, 2001)
If elected, mayoral byelection candidate Deiter Bogs promised the library project to renovate the current facility or build a new one would go to referendum by early next summer.
Guilford boasts new centre (The Now, Surrey, BC - Sept. 8, 2001)
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the grand opening of the Guilford Recreational Centre and Library - a 66,000 sq. ft., $11.5 million state-of-the-art facility. The extensive renovations to the library included 30 computer stations with Internet access, an expanded children's section and a reading area with fireplace. Mayor Doug McCallum explained that combining the construction of the centre and the expansion of the library (initially not scheduled for another three or four years) was seen as a cost-saving measure.
DONATIONS & FUNDRAISING
Photo with headline "Cash for books" (The Whistler Question, Whistler, BC - Aug. 9, 2001)
"Paperback hounds" purchased $1,600 worth of books at the Aug. 4 annual book sale put on by the Whistler Public Library.
BBQ fundraiser to benefit library (Richmond Review, Richmond, BC - Aug. 9, 2001)
Funds raised at a barbeque and investment seminar at the Charles Schwab building will benefit the Richmond Public Library. The event features food, prizes and free investment advice (in both Mandarin and English) provided by a guest speaker.
Rotary putts up tourney (The Whistler Question, Whistler, BC - Aug. 9, 2001)
Whistler Rotary Clubs will host a putting tournament with all proceeds to go to a special fund benefiting the new library. Space is available for 36 teams. A $100 entry fee includes a barbeque and prizes.
Library friends hosting refreshments bar (Cranbrook Daily Townsman, Cranbrook, BC - Aug. 13, 2001)
Beginning Aug. 14, The Friends of the Library Loonie Bar will offer library patrons coffee, juice, pop and cookies for the cost of one loonie each. Proceeds go to the library.
No headline (Cranbrook Daily Townsman, Cranbrook, BC Aug. 14, 2001)
Letter from M. Elaine Karras, Chairman, Friends of the Library: Thanks to Niedermayer Hockey School, school staff and Vestar Facility Management for donation of "silver collection" from Friday's hockey game to the Friends of the Library. Cash donated totalled $639.
Port Moody Library golf tournament offers prizes... (Coquitlam Now, Coquitlam, BC - Aug. 22, 2001)
The Port Moody Library/BC Hydro Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 10. More than 75 area businesses have donated prizes and sponsored holes. Prizes include a trip, two cars and a hot tub. The $100 entry fee also includes a dinner hosted by local sports media personalities. All proceeds will aid special library projects.
Lakeview Credit Union makes donation (Community Connections, Tumbler Ridge, BC - Aug. 22, 2001)
The Tumbler Ridge Lakeview Credit Union donated five copies of the book "The Illustrated History of British Columbia" to the library. The Credit Union has also assisted the library with donations for Grizzly Valley Days and the Summer Reading Program.
Photo with no headline (Kimberley Daily Bulletin, Kimberley, BC - Aug. 23, 2001)
The Ladies Auxiliary to the Fraternal Order of Eagles donate $500 to the library for the purchase of a new collection of large print books.
Thanks to book lovers and helpers (Undercurrent, Bowen Island, BC - Aug. 24, 2001)
Letter from Carol Pope and Lois Meyers-Carter, Co-Chairs, Friends of the Library Book Sale, 2001: Overview of the book sale which raised $3,200, nearly double last year's total. Thanks to purchasers, volunteers and library staff who made the event such a success.
Buy A Book, Save Money, Build A Library (Daily News, Prince Rupert, BC - Sept. 10, 2001)
Column by Myrna Hiebert, Library Board Chair: Description of a coupon book being promoted as a fund-raising project. Twenty per cent of the purchase price will go to the public library.
TECHNOLOGY
Library web site able to offer a wealth of information (Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna, BC - Aug. 8, 2001)
Overview of the Okanagan Regional Library web site, located at: www.orl.bc.ca. Features described include: catalogue search, overdue fine check, access to a number of on-line encyclopedias, on-line magazine indexes and pointers to sites for children, students or those looking for medical information or government sites.
Get connected in free program (Coquitlam Now, Coquitlam, BC - Aug. 11, 2001)
Sponsored by the Fraser Valley Regional Library and the provincial Youth@BC program, The Terry Fox Library is offering free Internet seminars designed for people who have little Internet experience. Each session is about one hour long.
Library takes national award (Daily News, Prince Rupert, BC - Aug. 14, 2001)
Prince Rupert Library has won its first national honour for the website www.bookboat.com. Industry Canada's "Best Practices" award recognized the library's efforts in the area of local economic development. Two other libraries in the province were also honoured. This is the second award Prince Rupert Library has received for the marine library site, after winning a BC Hydro Technology Award last year. An accompanying photo shows two Youth@BC students working on the site.
Library Students, on the job (Daily News, Prince Rupert, BC - Aug. 20, 2001)
Description of the Youth@BC and the Youth Community Action programs operating at the Prince Rupert Library. Written by the three students participating in the programs, the piece offers a brief biography of each student and an outline of their activities. Current space limitations restricting computer service improvements are also mentioned.
Internet safety seminar tonight at PoCo library (Coquitlam Now, Coquitlam, BC - Aug. 22, 2001)
Parents and children can learn safe and responsible methods of navigating the Internet through this one-hour Media Awareness seminar, called Safe Passage, held at the Terry Fox Library. Topics covered will range from Web sites to e-mail to instant messaging.
Internet clinic to end (Courtenay Comox Valley Record, Courtenay, BC - Aug. 22, 2001)
Basic Internet Lessons being offered at branches of the Vancouver Island Public Library (VIRL) will end on August 29. The one-hour personal lessons were free and made possible as part of the Youth@BC program which enabled VIRL to hire seven youths to provide the training.
Gate (sic) lab (Lakes District News, Burns Lake, BC - Aug. 29, 2001)
On July 25, the Burns Lake Public Library hosted the Gates Lab, a computer workshop open to anyone interested in learning computer and Internet skills. Oleepeeka Roches and Bonnie Frazer, of the library services branch, ministry of community, Aboriginal and women's services, set up the four laptops in the library and assisted patrons. The lab has toured 10 communities in the Peace River area and will visit others in Northern BC. A donation by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation enabled the library services branch to purchase the equipment used in the labs.
BUDGETS & FINANCE
Time for city and province to buck up for libraries
BC lags behind Prairie provinces in per capita spending (Vancouver Courier, Vancouver, BC - Aug. 22, 2001)
Opinion piece by Patricia Coppard detailing Vancouver Public Library's current budget shortfall which will force the library to close for one week in late August. A history of the library's budget problems, comparisons of BC provincial library funding to other Western provinces and a suggestion to double the provincial library grant are also included.
Libraries closed? Tell us your priorities for city services (The Vancouver Sun, Vancouver, BC - Aug. 27, 2001)
The story asks readers to send in their opinions regarding the Vancouver Public Library one-week closure. A number of responses were printed over the next week.
Library executive visits council (Golden Star, Golden, BC - Aug. 8, 2001)
At a regular meeting of the Golden Town Council, Lesley Dieno, ORL's executive director, told council, "It's very important to us that service is as good in the smaller centres as in the larger communities." Dieno also noted that the province used to pay 24% of the libraries' budgets, but that has fallen since 1984 to 9%. She added, "If you're talking to your MLA and she says 'What can I do for you', say you'd like $2 per person for the library." Dieno made the presentation to council because the library board felt that library reps had not visited "constituent units" enough in the past few years.
Library debate requires balance (The Morning Star, Vernon, BC - Aug. 8, 2001)
Editorial piece questions Greater Vernon politicians demanding the Okanagan Regional Library look at what they call the "library of the future." Concerns focus on the balance between saving money by using new technology and delivering traditional services users require.
Clearbrook Library will open Mondays (Abbotsford Times, Abbotsford, BC - Aug. 24, 2001)
As of Nov. 5, the Clearbrook Library will add Monday openings to its regular Tuesday and Saturday operations. At Monday's council meeting, also attended by members of the Fraser Valley Regional Library Board, some councilors said they preferred Sunday openings and others were concerned about the additional cost. After four rewordings of the motion, Monday openings were approved. Coun. George Perry said there was no need for a debate on issue. "If six other municipalities smaller than ours can afford to pull this off," he said, "why can't we find the dollars to open up?" A report on costs will be presented at the next meeting.
$12,000 extra covers Clearbrook Library Monday opening (Abbotsford Times, Abbotsford, BC - Aug. 30, 2001)
A report to council states it will cost the city $12,000 a year to pay for opening the Clearbrook Library and extra day a week. That amount breaks down to $8,000 for heat and light and $4,000 for janitorial services. Councilors were in agreement the deal was a good one.
Readers celebrate public libraries
Funding cuts bring out advocates (Squamish Chief, Squamish, BC - Aug. 28, 2001)
About 30 people gathered at the Squamish Public Library on Aug. 23 to support the library after budget cuts forced the library to decrease its hours of operation. Local writer Shannon Cooley hosted the evening along with other writers, including award-winner Kate Baird, who shared their words in support of the library. Assistant librarian Wayne Brisco said the library had a shortfall of $40,000 this year, and the choice was between cutting the book budget or limiting hours. A Writers in Libraries grant from the Province of BC made Baird's appearance at the event possible. The library is now closed until after Labour Day.
George Mackie to open Mondays (The Now, Surrey, BC - Sept. 5, 2001)
A recent survey showed that 41% of George Mackie Library users were in favour of increased hours of operation. In response, the Fraser Valley Regional Library has agreed to open the library on Mondays starting Sept. 17. Full library resources will be available. In addition, a new state-of-the-art "express checkout" system will be unveiled.
SUMER READING PROGRAMS
Reading Rewards When bestowed upon young readers, medals can have a life-long impact (The Chilliwack Progress, Chilliwack, BC - Aug. 7, 2001)
Over 900 children are enrolled in this year's Summer Reading Program at the chilliwack Library, up five per cent over last year. The library offers a plaque to the local elementary school with the highest percentage of participation in the program. Individual medals will be handed out to over 200 kids who reached their personal reading goals. Children's librarian Wendy Kesselring says these kinds of incentives are great for getting kids to read. Yearly membership in the program has doubled over the last decade.
Photo with caption: Reading Wrapup (The Interior News, Smithers, BC - Aug. 8, 2001)
The Summer Reading Program wrapup party was held at the library on Aug. 1. Kids showed up in costumes reflecting the 'Simon Says Read' theme. Readings, prizes and refreshments made up the festivities.
Photo with caption: Reading Rainbow (Quesnel Cariboo Observer, Quesnel, BC - Aug. 12, 2001)
Mayor Stephen Wallace reads to a group of three to five year-olds as part of the Summer Reading program.
Simon says read and have fun (Daily News, Prince Rupert, BC - Aug. 15, 2001)
Raven Paulson, a student page and assistant on the Summer Reading Program, recounts her experiences with helping deliver the program.
Readers log 2,300 books (Alberni Valley Times, Port Alberni, BC - Aug. 21, 2001)
Over 2,300 books were read by some 230 registered young Port Alberni readers during the Vancouver Island Regional Library's 'Simon Says Read' program. Twenty readers earned medals for their accomplishments at a celebration marking the end of this year's program.
Kids read lots throughout the summer (Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, BC - Aug. 21, 2001)
The Dawson Creek Public Library's "Around the World in 80 Books" summer reading program attracted over 500 children who read more than 2,100 books. Seventy per cent of the participants reached the 80-book goal. Librarian Jenny Snyder noted that the participation of parents helped to make the program a success. The library does not budget for the program, which is free to kids. A $2,000 donation from the Credit Union helped to make the program possible this year.
Book Sale and pancake breakfast set for Saturday (Burnaby Now, Burnaby, BC - Sept. 1, 2001)
The Burnaby Public Library ends its annual summer reading program with the very popular pancake breakfast, book sale and awards ceremony. This year's event will also feature a very special guest: national librarian Roch Carrier, who will read his acclaimed work, The Hockey Sweater.
Reading Buddies rewarded (Goldstream News Gazette, Victoria, BC - Sept. 5, 2001)
A Greater Victoria Public Library pilot project called Reading Buddies, in which students are paired with kids over the summer to improve reading and writing skills, has proved so successful it will be offered again next year. Both the students and the children found the experience very rewarding.
Other summer reading program numbers:
Merrit Public Library - over 200 children participated with 2,339 books read
Port Moody Public Library - 250 kids will receive awards for reading more than 50 days throughout the summer
Chetwynd Public Library - kids read 1,393 hours more than the previous year
Creston Public Library - 50 children enrolled
Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), Wellington Branch - 65 kids received medals for reading six books or more
VIRL, Sooke Branch - 103 kids signed up for the program, 21 were presented with medals for reading 20 books or more
Kitimat Public Library - 166 took part in the program, reading 2,762 books
Richmond Public Library - 4,400 participants
Pouce Coupe Public Library - 80 kids took part, 5 read over 100 books each
Tumbler Ridge Public Library - 139 registered kids read 2,200 books, with a total of 575 hours of reading recorded
AROUND THE PROVINCE
Building the Tumbler Ridge Library one book at a time! (Community Connections, Tumbler ridge, BC - July 25, 2001)
A brief history of the library is offered, followed by some personal experiences of the writer and a description of the programs and a few current library statistics (more than 24,000 items held, over 900 card-carrying patrons use the library).
Provincial Award Presented to Local Resident (The Lookout News, Hudson's Hope, BC - July/August Issue 2001)
Mrs. Anita Williams was presented with the BC Library Trustee Association Super Trustee Award for her "lengthy and distinguished service" to the Hudson's Hope Public Library. Library board chair Maryann Hill presented the award to Williams at the annual Strawberry Festival. Each year the BC Library Trustees Association gives the award to three BC public library trustees. Williams has been involved with the library since it began in 1966.
Users skyrocket (Maple Ridge Pitt-Meadows Times, Maple Ridge, BC - Aug. 7, 2001)
The Maple Ridge library showed a 32.3 % increase in circulation in the month of June, when compared to the same month in 2000. A membership drive for the year 2002 is being planned, with the hope that these numbers can be improved further. A survey of the general public is also scheduled to be rolled out by the Fraser Valley Regional Library some time in the future. The survey will focus on finding ways to attract current non-library users. A previous survey of library users showed that 78 % of users visited the library at least every two weeks, mainly to borrow library materials and do research.
Multicultural collection expanding at ORL (Penticton Western News, Penticton, BC - Aug. 21, 2001)
The Okanagan Regional Library wants to create a more diverse and relevant collection of multicultural books. It is asking for the public's help. Currently the library has books in about 20 languages. Library records show that the preferred non-English reading languages are Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Punjabi and Spanish. The library will concentrate its efforts in these areas, but asks the public to add their opinions, as well.
Library Biggest Success in the Region (Community Connections, Tumbler Ridge, BC - Aug. 8, 2001)
At the May 26 Peace Region Associated Libraries annual general meeting, the Tumbler Ridge Public Library was given the "Greatest Success Story" award for its participating role in the Mining Week, Minerals North Conference held in May 2000. A trophy, which the library will possess for the next year, will be on display at the library.
GVPL welcomes the new Central Saanich branch Sept. 4 (Penninsula News Review, Sidney, BC - Aug. 8, 2001)
Central Saanich residents will be able to acquire Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) cards as of Sept. 4. The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) will close operations of the Central Saanich branch in December. GVPL will re-open the branch in mid-February. As of 2002, Central Saanich residents will no longer have free borrowing privileges at VIRL's Sidney/North Saanich branch, while Sidney and North Saanich library users will no longer be able to use the Central Saanich branch. Non-resident membership fees can be paid by either group to use the other's system.
Teen Night at the Library (Prince George This Week, Prince George, BC - Aug. 12, 2001)
On Aug. 16, the main branch of the Prince George Public Library will host an event for teens called "Moda Del Libro", in which participants come dressed as their favouritve literary character. Teens will be treated to food, prizes and the opportunity to have first choice of new library offerings and have some input in the purchase of new materials.
Librarian Sheena Aitken closes a chapter at the Gold Bridge Library (Bridge River-Lillooet News, Lillooet, BC - Aug. 22, 2001)
After ten years with the Gold Bridge Library, branch librarian Sheena Aitken has left with her family for Clinton. Jean Shaw began as the new librarian on Aug. 1.
Whistler public library lending books for 15 years (The Whistler Question, Whistler, BC - Aug. 23, 2001)
The Whistler Public Library has been open for business for 15 years as of this week. The library opened on Aug. 22, 1986, with 25,000 books and a few magazine subscriptions squeezed into 1400 sq. ft. in the basement of the Municipal Hall. Although the library has doubled in size since then, librarian Joan Richoz says the library will continue to change and grow. A party for the library will be held on Sept. 1.
Library workers demand equity in contract talks (Victoria News, Victoria, BC - Aug. 29, 2001)
Library workers with the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) have rejected the lasted contract offer by municipal councils and may walk off the job in September. The main issue is pay equity, which CUPE Local 410 president Heather Murch says was promised to workers in 1992, but has not been acted on despite other inside civic workers having already negotiated an agreement. Ninety per cent of GVPL library employees are women. If a settlement is reached, it would amount to $3 to $8 an hour increases, depending on seniority.
Youths encouraged to enter annual writing contest (Richmond News, Richmond, BC - Aug. 29, 2001)
The theme of Richmond Public Library's 11th Annual Young Adult Writing Contest is "Surviving." The contest is open to anyone between the ages of 11 and 18, with cash prizes going to the top three entries. Winners will also have their work published in a book and online. The library will also host a related workshop featuring writer and Holocaust survivor Lillian Boraks-Nemetz.
Library security gate fiddles with pacemaker (Goldstream News Gazette, Victoria, BC - Aug. 29, 2001)
Sixty year-old Colwood resident Dennis Richards began to experience trouble with his pacemaker after passing through the security gate system at the exit of the Juan de Fuca library last week. Dr. Richard Leather, cardiologist and medical director at Victoria's Royal Jubilee Hospital pacemaker clinic, says this type of problem is occurring more often as more businesses install the security systems, which use radio wave signals similar to the type used to program the heart device. To avoid the problem, Leather recommends users should pass through the gates as quickly as possible and not touch the rails. The library has posted a sign to warn others with pacemakers.
Library position eliminated (The Williams Lake Tribune, Williams Lake, BC - Aug. 30, 2001)
Lil Mack, a Williams Lake library employee for 20 years, was let go by the Cariboo Regional District after a reorganization made her position redundant. Mack was the only person effected by the changes. Among her many accomplishments over the years was her push for a new library facility for Williams Lake. A spokesman for the CRD called the situation "unfortunate."
Library circulation increases (The Summerland Review, Summerland, BC - Aug. 30, 2001)
At an Aug. 12 regular council meeting, Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) executive director Lesley Dieno presented figures showing circulation numbers have risen from 106,650 in 1996 to 126,915 in 2000. Dieno remarked the numbers prove that Summerland library users are loyal to their local library. It was also noted that Summerland's share of the ORL budget (3.23%) was pretty much in line with it's circulation (3.71%).
Building the Future (Daily News, Prince Rupert, BC - Sept. 4, 2001)
Column by Prince Rupert chief librarian Allan Wilson detailing the positive public response to the Rattenbury Plans displayed at an evening exhibition. Almost 400 people from as far away as Japan attended a gala evening to showcase the documents.
