school_public library branch in a community centre setting_ challenges and successes
TRANSCRIPT
School/Public Library Branch in a Community Centre Setting: Challenges and Successes
PNLA 2015Tatiana TillyManager, Dawe BranchRed Deer Public Library
Outline1. Tour the Dawe Branch of Red Deer
Public Library.2. How does it work being school and a
public library in a community centre setting?
3. What’s next?
ObjectivesNo matter the size or location of your library
you will leave celebrating its strengths, generate excitement and vision for the future.
. . . tailor the information to meet the fabric of your community.
Red Deer Public Library: Dawe Branch1980
Red Deer Public Library was one of the first four libraries to be established under the Libraries Act of Alberta. On September 1, 1914, the Library was created. For a long time there was only one library in downtown Red Deer in various places until a new Library became an election issue in the mid-1960s, and after some controversy and a successful plebicite, a new one-story library was built to celebrate Canada's Centennial in 1967.
Meanwhile, on the north side of the Red Deer River, a new branch of Red Deer Public Library was being built in the new GH Dawe Community Centre. The new Dawe Branch is named for one of Red Deer's great contributors to libraries and public life in our community: Harold Dawe. In 1980 the new facility provided public library service to North Red Deer, and school library service to the public and Catholic elementary-junior-high schools in the Centre.
Red Deer Public Library: Dawe Branch2008
In late 2008, construction began on a major renovation at the Dawe Branch. The completion of the project in 2010 resulted in the addition of self-checkout RFID technology, as well as expanded programming space, a community gathering area with The Friends of the Library fireplace, and a beautiful new children's space, thanks to a generous donation from The Optimist Club of Red Deer.
The Dawe Branch was 631 square meters, but grew to 966 square meters in the recent renovation (2010).Total number of items (all formats, Dawe Branch) - 33,591.
Dawe Community Centre
Bring the entire family and make a splash in our exciting water park or experience what
our arena, gymnasium, and exercise centre have to offer. Drop in for a fitness class, or
enroll your child in a fun filled day camp. Red Deer’s old friend has a magnificent new
look..
Time for Change● Renovated facility presented new
opportunities
● Staff reassignment and change
● Change of leadership
More numbersItem circulation: 158,569Visits: 155,754 (30,000 up from 2011)Reference questions: 9,359 (50% up from 2011)Programs: 764Program participants: 14,524School: Pre-K - 9, 640 studentsNorth Red Deer population: ~50,000
HistoryPublic Libraries Located in School Facilities Report 2006 (62 of 309 facilities or 20%)http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/libraries/school-housed-libraries-report.pdf
Public Libraries Located in School Facilities Inquiry 2015 (92 facilities)
It Works If• The arrangement is born from combining mutual strengths, not weaknesses. • The arrangement is not in place primarily as a cost-saving measure, but as a means of increasing efficiency and effectiveness of service. • The arrangement benefits both parties, not one at the expense of the other. • There is a recognition of the differing mandates and philosophies of the two parties. • Continuing review and evaluation.
Who Do We Work With?To be a community library means to rely on the community:● community organizations● customers● volunteers● staff● partners
How Does It Work?Red Deer Public Library is using a community development model to ensure we are meeting the needs and interests of our customers and stakeholders.
Connect…Consult......Collaborate
David Wilcox's Ladder of Participation
Partnerships That WorkThree levels and types of partnerships:1. Infrastructure and major service partnerships● City of Red Deer● Red Deer Catholic Regional Division #392. Formalized partnerships with community organizations 3. Co-sponsored programs with a variety of community groups
Deer Public Library: Dawe Branch
Write it Down for Long Term PartnershipsFormalized partnership agreement outline:DisclaimerPartnersPartnership Rationale(Why?)Partnership Goals(What?)Partnership OutcomesValuesGovernance and/or LeadershipProject PlansProject LogisticsTerm of the PartnershipModificationsSignaturesAn example of such a partnership agreement between the Dawe Branch and Alberta Chess Association will be available as a handout.
Write it Down for Short Term PartnershipsCo-sponsored program agreement outlineDate of Program: ___________________________Start and end time of program: _________________Which room will you be using for your program?What do you want to do in your program?I want to show a PowerPoint Presentation (co-sponsored programs must supply their own laptop) I have sound in my presentation (ex. YouTube video)I want to speak in front of the room1
I want to play a movie2
I want to play music From a CD2
From an MP3 Player (ex. iPod)Other: _____________________________1
Other technical details may be required.2
Burned media will not work
Success StoriesProgramsAdult Literacy ProgramChess ClubThursday Storytime at the MallArt of FriendshipDawe Community Bike FairSettlement Support in Libraries ProgramKnights in Training (Human Library)
Reading BuddiesPhilosopher’s Cafe
PartnersEnterprise & Advanced EducationAlberta Chess AssociationParkland MallMental Health AssociationCity of Red Deer &other partnersC.A.R.E.Family Services of AlbertaDawe Community CentreRed Deer Public School DistrictG.H. Dawe schoolRed Deer College
Be a Part of Something More● Star Wars Reads Day● Human Library● Red Deer Reads● After Hours Adult programs● Repair Cafe● After school programs● Dawe Community Bike Fair● Scholastic Fair● Lego City Builders
Dawe Community Patio
Questions?
Comments?
Ideas?