The Cold Lake Library is growing.
While some may believe libraries are a thing of the past, the Cold Lake Library is thriving.
Through unique programming, public computer usage, and their free memberships, the library has doubled their memberships since January.
“As you can see, the library is definitely doing well and providing services and activities people want and use,” expressed Jeannette Hatta, library board member during the City of Cold Lake council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
In 2017, the library had a circulation of over one million. That usage has increased by 27 per cent this year.
More people are coming through their doors. In 2017, their walk in traffic was about 29,000, this year, that number has increased by over 3,000.
“The number of library visits this year alone, is over 32,000, and this is just people who walk in and come to the library,” Hatta said.
Computer usage has also seen a significant increase. Up 60 per cent from last year, the library has had just shy of 5,000 people utilize their public computers.
Hatta noted these stats are only from January up until the end of October, so they still have a few months left of usage before the end of the year.
In terms of memberships, which are offered free to Cold Lake residents through city funding, they too have seen a jump since 2017.
Last year, 2,033 residents signed up for a library card, while this year, 4,102 have joined.
“The other number we really wanted to highlight was the total number of programs offered, which is 425,” Hatta detailed, adding some of the more popular programs include Paws to Read, Flat Stanley, the virtual reality lab, and Natural Dye in the Garden.
Hatta said when it comes to virtual reality, they're able to offer something people might not experience otherwise, through a borrowing agreement with the Northern Lights Library System.
Another program she wanted to share was the Pop-Up Library. It brings library services to communities such as Cold Lake First Nations and the Elizabeth Métis Settlement.
"The Pop-Up Library promotes literacy and opens doors to library usage. A lot of people will come to the pop up library and then come to the actual library to sign up for memberships," Hatta emphasized. "It also allows access to information and technology that people might not have realized is there and available to them."
Similar to the Pop-Up Library, the Books on Wheels Program brings the books to the readers.
Hatta explained, "(It) takes books to seniors and to people who can’t get out to the library necessarily.”
In order to continue to offer these programs and services to the public, library board treasurer Darren Robinson said they're asking the city for an increase to their 2019 funding.
The library is looking at a two per cent increase in expenses for their 2019 budget, and hope that municipalities will consider raising their contribution to the library.
“One of the main reasons (for the increase in salaries) is our janitor position has always been under contract, but due to reasons… we have moved that position under a staff position. That’s really just moving the expense from one category to another,” Robinson detailed.
Robinson said they're not only asking the city for an increase in funding for 2019. The library will also be approaching the MD.
“The City of Cold Lake continues to be our biggest funder. What we’re looking at is a small increase in Cold Lake, as well as a continued push to slowly bring the MD back to being full capital funders for the library,” Robinson noted, adding last year, the MD did make "quite a significant increase percentage wise."
If the city were to increase their contribution for next year, the library would use the extra dollars to purchase more materials, continue their programming, and maintain staff.
Another change to the library's method of business, is the closure of the Friends of the Library group. They would often spearhead fundraising for programming.
Robinson explained, “The library is going to start taking a more active role in their own fundraising. The Friends of the Library will be shutting down this year, just due to age of the members and loss of their charity license. We will be setting up a new sub committee. We are going to see how it goes this year, and maybe we will start to stretch our fundraising goals as we move forward."
In most cases, the library uses sponsorship and fundraising dollars to fund their programming.
When asked why the library has expanded into offering so many experiences, they said it has a lot to do with bringing people through their doors.
"“Programming is a segue to the books. You get people into the library by highlighting programs and different educational experiences… We’re bringing the kids in, giving them these experiences, then we’re showing them the knowledge that we have in our books and electronic services," library director Leslie Price expressed.
Hatta added, “The library is an important place, we know it’s a very important place, and it should be accessible to all... It’s a place where people can have access to information and resources that they may not normally have and we feel is a pretty important thing, it creates and equality."
