Report to the Community 2015

Report to the
Community 2015
There is always something happening at the Okotoks Public Library!
Keep up-to-date on programs and services by:
•
•
•
•
Visiting our website, www.okotokslibrary.ca
Liking our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/OkotoksPublicLibrary
Following us on Twitter, @okotokslibrary
Checking out our Program Board located in the library foyer
"Great programs and facilities - we are here all
the time."
"Really great selection, environment and staff."
"We love the Okotoks Library."
~2014 Customer Satisfaction Survey responses
Message from the Library Board of Trustees
Heart of the Community- Key to the World
These powerful ideas have guided and inspired the growth of the Town of
Okotoks Public Library since its beginnings in 1977 when the Okotoks Town
Council appointed the first Town of Okotoks Public Library Board of Trustees.
The first location – a storefront on Elizabeth Street – served a population of 2
600. In the four decades that have followed, the Library has reflected the
growth of the community by expanding its collections, services and programs, to
inform and inspire our citizens. In 1990, a group of visionary thinkers in our
community designed and built a distinctive library on the banks of the Sheep
River. In 2005, the community once again supported an expansion that doubled
the size of the building, providing space for growing programs and resources.
Our current building is once again at capacity and facing growth challenges. In
2016, the community will be invited to participate in creating the Plan of Service
that will impact the direction of library services for the next four years including
an action plan for the next stage of growth for the library.
Tessa Nettleton, Director, and the library staff are to be commended for their
exceptional leadership and innovative programming as they live out the vision
statement each day. Our circulation and program participation continues to
grow through the efforts of our staff to create a vibrant community space for all
our patrons.
The expertise and dedication of the Trustees continues to guide and support the
direction of library services in our community. Members are active participants in
community engagement opportunities that build partnerships with the library
and community interest groups. A Trustee is the Town of Okotoks representative
to the Marigold Library System serving as an executive board member and
engaged with the work of establishing strong partnerships with the broader
library services in our province that benefit our community.
Sharon Nichols
Chair – The Town of Okotoks Public Library Board of
Trustees
Message from Library Director
Statistics are important but are certainly not the only measure of success. Mere
numbers do not take into account the actual worth of a public library – the
greatest tribute to our efforts as a public library are the many lives that we
touch every day.
Public libraries are founded in the principle that learning is a lifelong endeavour,
successfully supporting the individual’s need for knowledge, training, recreation
and education in a welcoming environment that fosters inclusiveness and open
access. More than just books and banks of computers, libraries are still places
where individuals gather to explore, interact, and imagine, and are
quintessentially community centred.
Tessa Nettleton
Volunteers
Fast Facts for 2015
"We so appreciate our
dedicated volunteers.
Their time and talents
help us meet the needs
of our patrons."
~Kelly Fraser, Coordinator of Volunteers
64 Library Volunteers
3,254 Hours of service
Book Sale; Book Sale Prep; Friends of the Library; Library
Board; Mail; Programming; Shelf-Reading; Shelving
17,278
138,750
Card Holders
Visits to library
350,812
58,751
Physical Items Borrowed
Digital Items Borrowed
65,328
40,411
Hold Items Borrowed
Hold Items Lent
4,882
1,178
Children Program
Participants
Adult Program
Participants
23
112,641
Outreach & Events hosted
WiFi Sessions
28,550
53,291
Reference Questions
Answered
Visits to
www.tracpac.ab.ca
2015 Customer Satisfaction Survey
96%
overall satisfaction with the library facility
"I am new to town and can honestly say this
library was an incentive in my choice to move here."
Heart of the Community,
Key to the World!
Okotoks Public Library is proud to provide
quality programs to residents of all ages.
Children's Programs
The library runs a variety of preschool
programs:
We hold all kinds of free adult
programming throughout the year:
ABC Kids
Drop-in Storytime
Family Fun
Rhythm & Rhyme
Storytime
Toddler Time
& Special Themed Events
Career Planning
Chess Club
Computer Skills
Financial Planning
Public Legal Education
Meditation
Personal Development
"Our juvenile programming
is dynamic and engaging.
It includes books, games,
crafts and a whole lot
of fun!"
~Aline Church, Juvenile Librarian