TOWN OF CARDSTON LIBRARY BOARD Plan of Service

Town of Cardston Library Board
Operating as the
Jim and Mary Kearl Library
Honoring the past…
… Building for the future.
TOWN OF CARDSTON
LIBRARY BOARD
Plan of Service
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Library Background ……………………………………………………………. 3 - 4
Library Mission Statement …………………………………………………...
5
Library Philosophy Statement ………………………………………………..
5
Current Services Delivered …………………………………………………...
6
…………………………………………………………...
7
Service Responses
Service Response 1
Library resources, library facilities, public awareness,
staff, technology
…………………………………………………………...
8-9
Service Response 2
Library resources, library facilities, public awareness,
staff, and technology …………………………………………………………... 10
LIBRARY BACKGROUND
The history of the Cardston Library dates back to 1903, when W. O. .Lee had plans to open a public library.
He rented a small building, just north of the Allen Store, which later became known as Laidlaws. In this
building, he placed his own bookshelves, lamps, and heater and furnished nearly 300 books from his own
library. These books included one of the earliest editions of the Encyclopedia Britannica and the library
became a mine of information.
Since then the library has seen many changes. The most significant change began in 2004 when fundraising
for a new library began.
There are many individuals and organizations that contributed to the success of the fundraising drive for the
new library. It had been a dream and a prayer for many board members. A CAN program was established
throughout the community, where individuals were invited to deposit their change as they did business
throughout the town, towards the new library.
On April 9, 2002, the town committed $250,000.00 towards the new library, the costs that were estimated at
that time at $1 million dollars. The ultimate cost turned out to be $2 million.
A program was mapped out anticipating donations over a three-year period from 2003 – 2005. The theme for
the library was to be a centennial project in 2005. An opening date was set subsequently for July 2, 2005.
A mail out to the post offices in Waterton, Hill Spring, Glenwood and Cardston helped publicize the project.
The media, including the Temple City Star, Lethbridge Herald and Global Television were very cooperative
and sent representatives at significant stages of the campaign.
A pivotal event developed from a newspaper clipping, indicating that Ike and Jean Barber had donated $20
million dollars to a new library at UBC.
Ike Barber was one known locally by the name Irving Kearl Barber of Edmonton in 1939 and the early 40’s.
It was suggested that perhaps he and his wife would be willing to donate significantly to the Cardston library
and name the library for his mother, Irene Kearl Barber who had served in Relief Society in Edmonton in the
early 1940’s. Subsequently they decided to name the library for both Ike’s grandparents, Jim and Mary Kearl
as they were known locally.
Ike and Jean were very responsive to this invitation and immediately committed to $400,000.00 with the
suggestion that the board take their funds and the $250,000.00 to the provincial government to see if they
would match it toward the Library building.
Broyce Jacobs was most enthusiastic and cooperative in this. As our local MLA he approached Ron Stevens
and they were willing because of the money in hand, to commit from various funds the amount of
$600,000.00. On this basis the board felt confident to go ahead and that we would be able to achieve the
total through fundraising to the estimated costs then of $1.5 million dollars.
As the campaign progressed, we realized we had started the campaign prior to mad cow disease hitting the
local ranching community. On this basis we went back to the province and asked for an additional
$200,000.00.
When Ike heard of what we were doing, without any indication, he wrote a letter authorizing us to again go
When Ike heard of what we were doing, without any indication, he wrote a letter authorizing us to again go to
the provincial government, asking them for another $100.000.00 to which he would match dollar for dollar.
The government did extend that amount and Ike contributed the additional $100,000.00
A sale of items from the old library, which at one time had been the old town hall, the police station and the
jail, raised some funds. The doors of the jail were of particular interest and were sold at auction.
Donations were received, not only from families of the original settlers, but were received from many of the
residents of the County, Town, Blood Band and the East Cardston Colony.
We had a broad base of support, such that the $2,000,000.00 was raised. Many individuals and families
committed $25,000.00 or more to have a specific area within the library named after a family member.
It’s also interesting that approximately $231,000.00 was donated anonymously.
Another boost that helped us financially during the process of construction was that the federal government
changed from returning 50% of GST on public projects to 100% of GST. This refunded about $114,000.00 to
our campaign.
As Mad Cow Disease effected many families and individuals who wanted to contribute, but could not, other
donors enlarged their contributions so that by January 2006, the library and its furnishings were completely
paid for.
It is marvelous to see the satisfaction of the members of the Board and all those who were involved with the
project. In addition to the donors mentioned earlier, the Lions, Rotary and Kinsmen clubs contribute annually
to the growth and development of the library.
The timing of the building project was fortuitous. Costs now would be nearly twice as much. There was
inspiration and guidance received in answer to many prayers during the fundraising and building of the new
library for which we as a library board are very grateful.
The generous donation of Ike and Jean Barber was key to the success of the fundraising.
In 2005 the Town of Cardston Library Board opened its doors as the Jim and Mary Kearl Library.
MISSION STATEMENT AND PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
Town of Cardston Library Board
Operating as:
The Jim and Mary Kearl Library of Cardston
Mission Statement
The Jim and Mary Kearl Public Library is the learning center of our community and the place people turn to for the
discovery of ideas, the joy of reading and the power of information.
Community needs drive our services and we take a personal interest in ensuring that they are delivered in a
welcoming, convenient and responsive manner.
Philosophy Statement

To establish, maintain, and preserve an organized collection of educational, cultural and recreational
materials in order to promote an enlightened citizenship and enrich personal lives.

To serve the community as an information center.

To provide opportunity and encouragement for continuous education of the residents of the community.

To identify community needs and provide programs and services to meet such needs.

To cooperate with other library systems, groups, organizations, agencies and `institutions which can provide
programs or services to meet community needs.

To provide the best possible service to all persons, recognizing the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.
CURRENT SERVICES DELIVERED
The Jim and Mary Kearl Library offers a broad range of services to the community including:
Collections
 Books in print, audio and large print format,
movies, magazines and music
 Local history and genealogy
 Language materials for adults
 Rotating block collection
 Access to French library
Programs
 Programs for preschool and school age children
 Teen Advisory Group and teen programs
 ebook user training
Staff Assisted Services
 Information and Reference Services for adults
and children
 Book Recommendation services
 Interlibrary loan
 Modified due dates for travelers
 Fax service
E-Services
 E-resources
including magazines, encyclopedias,
books and audiobooks
 Online library catalog
 Temple Archive
 Ancestry.ca, online genealogy database
 Language learning software
 Wireless Internet
 Public Internet
 4 Accessible public Internet Access Workstations
 1 public Internet Access Workstation for the
visually impaired
 Email notification of holds and overdue items, as
well as due date
 reminders
Other Services
 Video Conference Suite
 Exam proctor on site
 Photocopy/printing service
SERVICE RESPONSES
Public libraries are governed by the Alberta Libraries Act. The Libraries Regulation Section 13 states, ‘a
municipal board or an inter-municipal board shall file with the Minister a copy of its current PLAN OF SERVICE with
goals and objectives.
The Town of Cardston Library Board, operating as the Jim and Mary Kearl Library, initiated a process in 2011 to
renew its PLAN OF SERVICE .
The Library Manager and several board members attended workshops based on service responses. This process of
preparing a PLAN OF SERVICE was developed by Sandra Nelson from the American Library Association. As this
process is recommended by Alberta Municipal Affairs, Public Library Services Branch for the Alberta
Government, the Library Manager arranged a video conference connecting Kerrie Anderson from the Library
Services Branch to the board, in an effort to answer any questions or concerns the board had about the process.
This PLAN OF SERVICE will provide an outline of service responses the board wishes to address.
A group of 25 people from the community, including non-library users, the Library Manager, Children’s Program
Facilitator and Library Staff reviewed the suggested service responses, then were asked to rank the top six (6).
The following responses were identified:
 23 votes
 21 votes
 11 votes
 10 votes
 9 votes
Create young readers: Early Literacy
Stimulate imagination
Express creativity - Create and share content
Know your community
Understand how to find, evaluate and useful information
The board met again to review and respond to the generated input. The board analyzed these responses, added
their own analysis of the 18 service responses, and the results of the yearly patron satisfaction survey to determine
the library’s current strengths and weaknesses. Upon completion of this review the board selected two (2) service
responses for the 2013-2018 PLAN OF SERVICE. The selected service responses are:
1. Create young readers: Early Literacy
2. Know your Community
SERVICE RESPONSE - 1
This plan covers the five year period from 2013 - 2018. The plan highlights where we believe the library must
focus its efforts to play its role in strengthening the Cardston community.
Over the next five years we will sustain our traditional strengths, enhance the ways in which we deliver our
programs and develop new services and programs to support a strong and vibrant community through objectives
based on library resources, library facilities, public awareness, staff, and the use of technology.
SERVICE RESPONSE 1
Create Young Readers: Early Literacy
Goals
Young Children will have programs and services developed to encourage a love of books and reading. The
library will provide programs that will attract young children, so they may become familiar with the library
services and the staff. Programs will include, regularly scheduled reading programs throughout the year,
including a summer reading program. Parents will be encouraged to check out books that they can read to or
somehow share with their children. The collection will be evaluated to make sure the material in the children’s
area is inviting and of interest to children. All appropriate types of materials will be included in the collection.
SERVICE RESPONSE 2
SERVICE RESPONSE 2
Know Your Community
Goals
The library will address the need to provide information related to services offered by community agencies,
organizations, business, and individuals. Create and maintain a list including community resources,
organizations and activities that are accessible to all and which service to build the local community. Based on
information, support, activity and specialty the following community resource will be separated into 4
resources:
1. Leisure Resources
EG: Physical, artistic, youth, senior
2. Volunteer Resources
EG: Health, community, municipal
3. Business Resources
4. Community Resources
EG: Municipal, religious, health
OBJECTIVES
Library Resources: The library will provide ongoing relationships with community organizations and local
government agencies. A library board member will attend inter agency meetings supporting collaboration with
the other agencies and ensuring services are not being duplicated.
Facilities: Create a space and make available a bulletin board, to ensure public is aware of the information.
Public Awareness: Encourage agencies to post programs and services. Promote the resource bulleting board
and online resources to the public through library flyers, newsletters, brochures etc…
Staff: Staff will have knowledge of public resources on-line and be able to help patrons access those resources.
Staff will monitor public events and stay abreast of local current events. Staff will be educated on ways to assist
with local research and encourage the use of the library as a resource tool.
Technology: The library will set up an online community resource file that can be accessed through online tools
on the library webpage. The library will gather, organize and disseminate community information. Maintain a
list of information with community links.
LIBRARY RESOURCES, FACILITIES, PUBLIC AWARENESS, STAFF AND TECHNOLOGY
OBJECTIVES
Library Resources: We will strengthen collections of various media through new purchases and selective
discard of old, unused, and ruined books. We will seek to fund to expand and update the collection. Staff will
offer interlibrary loan for requested materials.
Facilities: The library will be open during times that accommodate all age groups. Appearance of building will
be maintained to create an inviting atmosphere. Child size furniture will allow accessibility for the smallest of
patrons.
Public Awareness: New materials and programs will be advertised so community members know what is
available. A listing of all available library materials will be maintained on the library website. The Children’s
Program Facilitator will keep registered parents aware of programs and events. Through educational
partnerships, the library will arrange tours, school visits, flyers presenting summer programs to spark interest in
the summer events.
Staff: Staff will have a knowledge of the various areas within the children’s collection, specific age group
interests. They will have a knowledge of programming and events.
Technology: An adequate number of computers will be available for and maintained for young library patrons,
allowing age-specific learning. Training for parents to encourage the collaborative use of the Early Literacy
Stations by a parent and child will take place.