January 2012
In this issue...
Inside The Alberta Library
Fifteen years ago, forward-looking members of Alberta’s library community came together to create The Alberta Library. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary in 2012, it’s an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together, and where we go from here.
The 15th anniversary is traditionally considered a major milestone, and its symbol is crystal, which suggests an emphasis on transparency. Over the years, cooperation, collaboration and transparency have played a central role in our collective decision-making process.
That’s not going to change. What may evolve over the next few years is our ability to cooperate and collaborate more efficiently and effectively, through the use of technology.
Crystal also suggests an emphasis on clarity. I believe our new vision – Together. One Card. One click. – is a model of clarity. The vision is not only a clear statement of intent, it is also aligned with recommendations in the Alberta Government’s 2009 MLA report, Framework for the Future: Positioning Alberta Libraries for the 21st Century. That report continues to be a blueprint for library development across the province.
While the 15th anniversary is considered a significant milestone, some perspective is important. The Peace Library System celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011. Yellowhead Regional Library recently celebrated its 40th. Calgary Public Library is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012. Edmonton Public Library will mark its centenary next year. Now that’s impressive.
Perhaps the most important thing about The Alberta Library’s 15th anniversary is that we’re celebrating the contribution of our library community members. We’re proud of everything that we’ve accomplished together.
But The Alberta Library was created by forward-thinking community members. That’s the tradition we honour. We’re proud of what we’ve built together, but we’re focused on the future.
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Library Spotlight: Grimshaw Municipal Library
Each issue TAL Tales shines the spotlight on one of Alberta’s many great libraries. This month, Linda Chmilar tells us about the Grimshaw Municipal Library.
What area is changing the fastest in your library? Why?
At the Grimshaw Library we have a commitment to servicing our community to the best of our ability. We strive to include all ages in our library programs and events. We’re continually trying to find ways to attract a wide range of people.
The biggest change for us has been the level of interest that our programs are creating. We have Bookbuddies - a weekly morning program for 3-5 year olds, Friday Family Movie Night and a monthly Seniors Afternoon Tea. We recently added Early Out Wednesday to our monthly schedule providing a place for kids to come after school for movies, crafts and activities. Every month we have more kids coming out and kids that haven’t come before. We started out with eight and it has grown to 36. Be careful what you wish for!
Technology makes libraries change at the speed of light! Grimshaw keeps up by offering information sessions to the public, such as a Technology Petting Zoo.
What is your library's biggest current challenge?
Our library’s challenge has been the same one since I started here 19 years ago - funding for staffing! The challenge to keep up with competitive wages in our area and the increasing cost of living is a constant struggle.
The fact that libraries are no longer only books, but also computers, e-readers, and multimedia, means that we need staff who know how to use computers and teach others how to use computers. Our staff has to know how to proficiently use Facebook and Twitter. In order to keep up with the changing times we need knowledgeable experienced people who are comfortable with technology. People with this experience need to be paid accordingly.
We have been fortunate to have staff who believe in the library and all it has to offer our community. Their commitment to literacy has enabled us to continue offering a high standard of service to our patrons.
What idea are you most proud of over the last five years?
After participating in a community focus group we learned that there was a community need to offer 9 – 14 year old children a library program. So in response, last summer we hosted our first Harry Potter Camp! Our library is attached to the Elks Hall therefore allowing us to turn the entire building into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry including the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch Field, and the Great Hall.
We attracted kids from Grimshaw, Peace River, Dixonville and Berwyn. Every day of the four-day camp the kids participated in Harry Potter activities like brewing potions and on the last day we watched the movie and compared the book and the movie.
We hosted this camp in July and it was still talked about in September when they all went back to school. It was great to see these kids not knowing one another at the beginning and coming together as a group at the end.
In August we hosted our first quilt camp. Seven girls and one boy learned how to make a quilt out of old blue jeans and flannel. They were so into sewing they hardly wanted to stop for lunch! It’s amazing how fast they caught on to the machines.
We’re proud of the fact the community asked us to fill a void and we met the challenge, succeeded and they want more.
Where do you see the most opportunity for innovation over the next decade?
Technology! We need to use these resources to our benefit. E-books are here full force and tools like Overdrive can help us keep up. Alberta libraries need to build better web pages and use social media. As we say, “Your Library Never Closes!” As technology evolves we must welcome new methods of accessing information while staying vital. We must be flexible to try new ideas and be involved in the electronic community as we prepare for the “Cloud”.
Tell us about your library's fundraising initiatives.
The Grimshaw Library has always had success with fundraisers, however this year we wanted to try something new. Our Festival of Mini Trees accomplished many things. We wanted something that would bring people into the library, we wanted to include the entire community, businesses, families, schools, individuals, groups, and of course we wanted to make some money.
We sold 3 ft mini trees for $35.00. People decorated them, gave them back to the library and we put them up for sale. We had 44 beautiful little trees in the library. The trees went up for silent auction for a week and during that time we hosted a Preview Wine, Cheese and Chocolate tasting evening to all who donated trees; 140 people came for that. We had our senior’s tea where 55 seniors came to listen to the Berwyn School Bell Choir, view the trees and enjoy Christmas goodies. We had An Evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus with 40 families coming to get pictures with Santa and look at the trees. The Early Out Wednesday program was on that week as well and 23 kids came to make snow globes, view the trees and eat cookies.
We kept track as best we could at how many people came into the library to see the trees and by our count 1,215 people came to the library - many of whom had not been here before. It was a community event to say the least, even more successful than we had hoped. In the end we not only brought the community together and brought new people into the library but we cleared $6000.00. Exhausting but fun!
We’ve also had a Christmas Cash Calendar for the past several years. People contribute $20.00 and have the chance to win money every day in December ranging from $30.00 daily to $1000.00 on New Year’s Eve. We sold 350 calendars, gave away $3400.00 and cleared $3140.00. This fundraiser is easy to do and a lot of fun.
How does your library stay in touch with clients/library users?
We partner with Adult Learning when offering computer courses and with FCSS when planning programs and events. Our website is used for posting upcoming events and pictures of all events for people to view.
Twice a year we mail a newsletter to Grimshaw, Berwyn, Dixonville and Brownvale residents to keep them informed of services, programs and events. By partnering with the Town of Grimshaw we are able to place information in the weekly newspaper as well as flyers in the monthly water bills.
We use posters, bookmarks and postcards on a regular basis and whenever needed we send newsletters to the school children to take home. After the summer programs we joined Facebook to stay in touch.
How do you stay in touch with political leaders/decision makers in your community?
We typically use our local paper and send a monthly report to our funding partners.
Last year we did a “Look Who We Caught Reading” campaign in the Town of Grimshaw and got town councillors, rotary members, firefighters, businesses, residents, as well as some of the businesses who have sponsored our coffee corner over the past several years to participate. It was great to go to the businesses and not ask them for money for a change, just a picture and what they enjoy reading. We sent the pictures out in the water bills and posted them on our website. It got people talking about reading and thinking about the Library.
Alberta libraries partner with weekly newspapers
100 newspapers. 320 ads. These figures reflect the number of customized ads that appeared in community newspapers from October to December 2011 as part of the APLEN marketing campaign Make it yours.
On the surface this might not seem like a big deal, but when you realize that weekly newspapers in Alberta are all independently-owned the scope of the initiative becomes apparent.
Thanks to a partnership with the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA), TAL communications staff were able to coordinate placement of ads in newspapers all across the province. Staff worked with Greg Foster, AWNA’s Advertising Director to confirm participation of AWNA member newspapers, secure special rates and run the ads.
APLEN Director Julia Reinhart credits Greg with the success of the initiative. “This kind of partnership is outside the norm, but he was willing to work with us.” Greg presented the proposal to each of AWNA’s member newspapers and the majority agreed to participate. “Getting 100 independent newspaper owners to buy-in to a project is no small feat,” says Julia. “We appreciate his efforts.”
Julia also thinks it’s important to recognize the community newspapers that participated. “It’s thanks to their willingness to partner with libraries that the campaign message reached Albertans in communities large and small,” acknowledges Julia.
Newspaper ads will be a significant component of the Make it yours campaign for 2012. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with AWNA,” says Julia.
She adds, “We’ve heard from library staff that one of the best ways to reach people in their communities is through the local newspaper so expect to see Make it yours ads appearing in your community’s newspaper.”
People You Should Know: Natalie O'Toole, Mount Royal University Library
Each issue TAL Tales introduces you to another member of Alberta’s vibrant library community. This month, say hello to Natalie O'Toole, Data Specialist with Mount Royal University Library.
How would you describe your job if a friend asked you what you do?
My primary focus is helping students access and analyze data/ statistics and make maps. I familiarize students with data resources, use statistical software to extract data from Statistics Canada or other files (or show the students how to do this) and map the data. The maps help students derive meaningful information from the statistics so they’re not just looking at raw data sets or numbers.
I build self-serve internet mapping applications that allow students to make custom maps based on data. The maps can overlay many layers of information and complex data sets. Developing the applications is complex but using them is easy from a user standpoint. Each year I build around 10 internet mapping apps and the apps are compatible for a variety of mobile devices.
I also prepare materials for instruction in and/or lead over 50 library resource sessions per term on statistics, data, GIS mapping, satellite imagery and remote sensing. I help students gain analytical skills and enhance their data and spatial data literacy.
My work with faculty involves helping them locate hard to find data resources and mapping resources. I assist around 10 faculty members per term with research projects by analyzing (using advanced statistical techniques), mapping, or graphing data for them. I also work on campus-wide projects for university administration.
What are some examples of projects you’ve worked on?
- A mobile-compatible, clickable web map of the interior of the MRU Library. When a student clicks anywhere on the map, an information box pops up and provides details about that particular area in the MRU Library.
- A web mapping app for business students that allows them to overlay their specific business competitors over census, psychographics, spending, financial and other data allowing them to find the best location for their new business in Calgary.
- A web mapping project that overlaid charity locations onto census data to map and determine if charities in Canada, Alberta and Calgary are serving their area of need. The MRU Institute of Non-profit Studies and I were the first researchers in Canada to map this particular charities database.
- A web mapping nursing project that mapped and graphed how factors such as exercise and eating habits produced changes in obesity, heart disease and diabetes over time.
- A survey on aboriginals who are victims of crime using Stats Can raw data.
- Mobile-compatible Web mapping of Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
- A Justice Studies Alberta Buzz presentation that gathered and graphed data from Canada and other countries to compare how their crime bills performed.
- A web mapping application that shows where MRU research projects are located across the world.
What is your educational/career background?
I have a B.Sc. Honours in Geology and Biology from Dalhousie University, a post-graduate diploma in Remote Sensing from the Centre of Geographic Sciences in Nova Scotia, a Bachelor of GIS from SAIT and an Adult Education Certificate from Mount Royal University. I’m currently pursuing a Masters in GIS from University of Calgary.
What drew you to working in the library community?
I was doing GIS-related work in private industry when I saw an ad for the position at Mount Royal. The library had identified a need for a data/GIS position but the specific job description was not set in stone. The ability to build a statistical, data, and mapping service where one did not exist before appealed to me.
Is your position unique in the post-secondary library community?
Other universities have data librarians or GIS librarians but Mount Royal is unique in what we do for data services in the library. Some universities are trying to implement the Mount Royal model of data and GIS services and I have taught GIS and spoken at many universities and conferences about what has been accomplished at Mount Royal.
What is the next idea you’re excited about exploring?
I’m excited about a few things:
- Building an easily searchable, self-serve portal for the spatial data collection so that students and faculty can download customized data sets and make maps.
- Archiving and digital preservation of spatial and other data.
- I have already mapped sound and want to combine augmented reality and spatial maps.
What do you like to do in your spare time outside of work?
When I’m not working on courses for my Masters I enjoy drawing, reading, and cross country skiing.
Outside the book thinking
In many people’s minds, libraries are synonymous with books. Some Alberta libraries are working to change that stereotype by offering innovative lending initiatives that show there is more to libraries than books.
Although offering items that are outside the norm may stretch the boundaries of library acquisitions and cataloguing, they also present opportunities to build relationships with new library users and offer additional value to existing ones.
We continue our series showcasing innovative lending initiatives in libraries across the province by highlighting the power monitors on loan in many libraries across the province.
Outside the book thinking: power monitors
Talk about changing library stereotypes. Power monitors available through many regional library systems are proof that libraries offer more than just books.
Power monitors measure the electrical usage of household appliances and display it so that customers can determine their electricity consumption and costs.
FortisAlberta donated power monitors to library systems in their service territory as part of their energy efficiency program called Energy Your Way. In 2010, FortisAlberta piloted the power monitor program in Black Diamond, Okotoks, Airdrie, Beiseker and Cremona. Since then, the program has expanded to include libraries in six Alberta library systems.
The power monitors have proven to be popular items in many communities. Patrons at the Okotoks Public Library borrowed the power monitors 53 times in 2011 - the highest circulation in the Marigold Library System. Tessa Nettleton, Director of Okotoks Public Library, reports that interest in the power monitors is strong in her community. “The rate at which the monitors fly off the shelves speaks to how popular they are. The monitors are almost constantly out and sometimes holds are even placed on the monitors,” says Tessa.
Chinook Arch Regional Library System has been involved since May 2011 and in the first three months alone the monitors were checked out 74 times across the system. “We’re pleased that patrons in both large and small communities have shown interest in the power monitors,” says Terra Plato, Manager of Consulting Services.
One of the challenges of offering a non-traditional device like this is that people may not know how to use it. To familiarize patrons with the power monitors, Yellowhead Regional Library produced a short instructional video which is posted on their website and linked to from the websites of their member libraries. FortisAlberta also provides a quick start guide and operating manual.
Interest in power monitors will likely increase as Albertans strive to find ways to assess their energy costs. In 2011, total power monitor circulation for libraries in Yellowhead Regional Library, Marigold Library System and Chinook Arch Regional Library System was over 200 in each system.
Lending power monitors not only proves that libraries are about more than books; it also proves that libraries strive to help their community. Now that’s real power.
ORC resource BookFlix proves popular
Imagine a resource that brings such beloved books as Where the Wild Things Are and Scaredy Squirrel to a computer screen near you. Now imagine how popular that resource would be.
According to the Online Reference Centre (ORC), that resource would be popular a million times over.
From January to November 2011, BookFlix, one of the resources licensed by the ORC, received over one million page views and had 227, 584 individual users.
BookFlix pairs video adaptations of classic children’s books with related non-fiction eBooks from trusted vendor Scholastic to engage young readers while reinforcing reading skills.
Achieving one million hits is significant because it demonstrates that BookFlix meets a need for a crucial age group. BookFlix “introduces digital reading to children in a fun and educational way and can be a powerful tool for ESL learners and reluctant readers,” says ORC Coordinator Diane GallowaySolowan. The resource is designed for the Kindergarten to Grade 3 age group who Diane calls the “users of tomorrow”. The popularity of BookFlix shows that the digital readers of tomorrow are picking up the required skills now.
This resource was added to the ORC in September 2009 and to achieve such high numbers in a short period of time “shows that teachers are willing to embrace this type of content with kids,” says Diane. It helps that the content is engaging (animation, audio and interactive games) and the resource is compatible with electronic whiteboards.
Diane is pleased that BookFlix is proving to be such a valuable tool in helping young readers build their reading skills.
Alberta teachers, students and parents can spend some time with Scaredy Squirrel by accessing BookFlix through the LearnAlberta.ca portal.
Mango on the radio
Mango online language learning tools are a great way for all kinds of people to build their practical conversation skills in the world’s most popular languages.
Now, CKUA Radio listeners may catch a Mango Languages radio ad, encouraging Albertans to “Get your library card and go Mango, and start learning today!”
Continuing through April, the 30-second spot will run on rotating programs on CKUA, which broadcasts to about 85 per cent of the province.
Combined with the Mango Mania Contest, the goal is to get the word out to Albertans, and ultimately increase the number of Mango users.