One of the library board members and I attended the Kootenay Library Federation conference in Nelson last week and I came away with the unsettling feeling things are changing in the library world, and I am not referring to technology.
One of the sessions was an update from the Public Library Services branch in Victoria. A chunk of our funding comes from it, along with the provincial initiatives and support. Among the grants we receive is one for interlibrary loans. The money is based on statistics provided by each library and by the arm of the library branch that deals with that process. Last year, Creston received $44,000 for the service. We do over 1,000 interlibrary loan transactions a month — that is, all aspects of the procedure including receiving and sending out. It is an extremely well used service in our library and consumes the most staff hours other than the circulation desk.
The PLSB staff member did not come right out and say the interlibrary loan service is going to end but she did say it was very expensive for the province. It was suggested the province introduced the BC OneCard program as an alternative and that is where they are focusing attention right now. The lack of words says more than the words.
I did not see this coming, but was not surprised. In a discussion with some staff members this morning it was suggested a pay service might be reintroduced for interlibrary loans as a way of dealing with the situation. I don’t think there is need to worry in the immediate future, but I think it is inevitable.
I am somewhat distracted by news this morning of the fire in Slave Lake, Alta., the floods in Manitoba and the floods in the southern U.S. If the 21st century is going to be the end of the world, as some of our more unique thinkers are predicting, I would at least like to get the house tidied up a bit.
The news has reported the new library in Slave Lake has burned along with the city hall and the radio station; however, that has not been verified. There are pictures online of the town hall in flames and the buildings behind it, but nothing of the library and I am hoping for the best. I cannot imagine how they would even start the process of rebuilding most of the city to say nothing of the money required. The cost involved in a library alone has to be unimaginable, with an entire collection of books and library items to replace.
I have sent an email off to our federation director to see if there is something we can do, even something small to help out the library situation. Websites and help centres have been set up for all kinds of donations but I didn’t see books mentioned, especially books for kids. There is no word on how many families have been displaced, but without a library not just those displaced will be affected.
I am giving you lots of time to add the Friends of the Library AGM to your calendars. The date for this event is June 8 at 7 p.m. The meeting is in the library meeting room and all are welcome. I don’t have to tell you what an extraordinary group of people form the Friends and their friends are also pretty extraordinary.
Ann Day is the chief librarian at the Creston and District Public Library.