ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Our Mission, Vision and Values Our Mission Discover Opportunities
Our Vision Barrie Public Library...where community comes together.
Our Values Service | Curiosity | Sharing
Land Acknowledgement We acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg [Ah-nish-NAH-beg] people. The Anishnaabeg [Ah-nish-NAH-beg] include the Odawa [Oh-DAH-wah], Ojibwe [O-jib-we] and Pottawatomi [boh-tah-WAH-toh-mee] nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. This land is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. The Library has a responsibility to raise awareness of the history and ongoing impacts of colonialism on this land, and to help celebrate the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples, nations, and cultures. In our shared spaces, inside and outside the Library, we will listen to and amplify Indigenous voices, inspire greater understanding, and connect people to one another and to this land.
Table of Contents CEO and Board Chair Message .................................................................................................. 1 2023 by the Numbers .................................................................................................................. 3 Expanding Our Impact ................................................................................................................. 5 Building Strong Communities ..................................................................................................... 7 Sparking a Love of Reading and Discovery .............................................................................. 9 Welcoming Place for All ............................................................................................................ 11 Celebrating Our Staff and Volunteers .................................................................................... 13 Thanking Our Supporters .......................................................................................................... 15 Looking Ahead to 2024 ............................................................................................................. 16
Reflecting on an Exciting Year of Growth When we reflect back on what we accomplished in 2023, it’s hard to pick one word to describe how we feel. Grateful - for those who find such value in our library system, and how many new people discovered the Barrie Public Library this year. Proud – of our entire staff for coming together this year like never before, offering the most programs, services and collections in our recorded history. Excited – about what is in store for us next year. Lauren Jessop CEO
It's not news to anyone that the previous few years have not been normal. Like everyone else, when we emerged from the worst of the pandemic, our numbers were lower than they were in 2019. We had to build back our programs, redefine our services, and introduce new collections to meet this new normal. We asked our community what they needed, and we responded as best we could. In turn, our city responded back. We welcomed nearly 13,000 new members in 2023 – an astonishing number that we are so proud of. Our program attendance was higher this year than we’ve ever recorded, and our collections have seen a sizeable increase in usage.
Austin Mitchell Board Chair
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To say we are thrilled is an understatement. It is clear that our city deeply values library services, and we look forward to continuing to evolve with our community to meet their needs.
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2023 by the Numbers 53,293 In-Person Program Attendance
497,868
In-Person Visits
12,473 New Members 846,233
3,000
Programs Offered
Physical Circulation 663,196 22,576
Books Borrowed
125,492 3
DVDs/Blu-Rays Borrowed
Video Games Borrowed
104,284 eAudiobooks Downloaded
43,741 Social Media Followers
39,282
334,265
Public Computer Sessions
Digital Circulation
653,237 Online Visits
63,352
eMagazines Read
158,096 eBooks Read
57,732 WiFi Sessions
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Expanding Our Impact
12,473 More Residents Benefitting from Library Services In late spring of this year, we set a target of welcoming 10,000 new members to the library. With our expanded Outreach team, BPL on the GO van and e-trike, and increased programs, services and collections, the value of a library card was higher than ever and we wanted to show that to our City. We were thrilled to reach our goal in October, just in time for Canadian Library Month. By the end of 2023, nearly 13,000 new members had discovered the amazing value of a library card.
Library of Things Expands to 25+ Items 2023 marked a milestone year for our Library of Things, with our collection growing to include over 25 unique and exciting items for members to borrow. Loaning out items like telescopes, tabletop games, snowshoes, and light therapy lamps gives members the opportunity to try something new and access useful items without the barrier of cost. The collection also includes accessibility and wellness items like Sensory Support Kits, C-PEN Reader Pens, and Cognitive Care Kits.
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barrielibrary.ca/LOT
What doesn’t this library do? It really is the best one on the entire continent.
Native Gardens Provide Food and Habitat for Pollinators Following the completion of the landscaping project Downtown, the City of Barrie filled our gardens with plants native to Ontario. Typically it takes up to three years for native plants to flourish, but this summer provided the perfect growing conditions. The beautiful gardens were buzzing with bees, butterflies and other pollinators, helping support our ecosystem and food supply. The City of Barrie is a designated Bee City, and we are thrilled to contribute to this initiative and provide a sanctuary for our pollinators. Working with Pollinate Barrie, we were able to add native seeds to our Seed Library, sowing the seeds for future native gardens around our beautiful city.
I’ve learned genealogy through you, Spanish through you, Harry Potter through you. I really can’t count how many times the library has come through for me in this community. Thank you so much for all you do. It is noticed and very much appreciated. ~Instagram Comment
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Building Strong Communities Barrie Dragon Boat Festival Raises Nearly $50,000 for Local Charities
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“We’d like to say a very special thank you to all of our supporting sponsors, vendors, suppliers and community partners who helped make the event a success,” said Christopher Vanderkruys, Director of Business and Development at the Barrie Public Library. “We look forward to seeing everyone next year for our 20th anniversary!” barrielibrary.ca/dragonboat
August 19 was a beautiful day on Kempenfelt Bay as close to 700 paddlers took their energy to the water and paddled in support of local charities. This year, the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival welcomed 26 teams from various businesses, charities, government offices, and groups of friends. Together, the teams raised over $47,000 for local non-profit organizations, including for our Future Branches Campaign.
Holly Community Celebrates Holly Library’s First Anniversary August marked the first anniversary of our newest location opening in the Holly area. We hosted a birthday party in September and the entire community came out to celebrate, enjoying the outdoor Discovery Area, virtual reality, cupcakes, and face painting. With 25,000 checkouts and 4,252 members who call Holly their home branch within the first year (2,899 of which are new members to the Barrie Public Library), it’s safe to say this new location has had a warm welcome.
I love smaller locations like this! My kids can be in the kids area while I browse on my own. Not to mention I don’t have to drive across town either. Nothing like having books in my own backyard. Barrie Dragon Boat Festival Recognized with Hospitality and Tourism Business Excellence Award The Barrie Public Library was thrilled to receive the Hospitality and Tourism Business Excellence Award at the Barrie Business Awards in November. The library was nominated for our annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival, which over the past 19 years has raised over $2 million for charities in Barrie and surrounding areas. “It’s unique for a public library to host an event like the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival and we’re so proud to receive this recognition,” said Lauren Jessop, CEO of the Barrie Public Library. 6
Sparking a Love of Reading and Discovery Kids and Teens Read 23,000 Books at Our Summer Reading Club Nearly 1,800 children and teens took part in our Summer Reading Club and were more engaged than ever. Children logged a staggering 22,376 books read, and teens logged 668 books. Taking part is a fantastic way to foster a love of reading and keep kids engaged during the break from school. It’s not ALL about reading, though! From science experiments and visits with farm animals, to bike rodeos and escape rooms, families had endless opportunities to discover and learn.
We brought the library around the city this summer, thanks to our new e-trike and trailer. Our BPL on the GO team visited parks, beaches, schools, and more, with crafts and activities and a selection of early readers to check out on the spot. Staff are also able to sign up new library members from wherever they are. “Having this e-Trike and trailer alongside our van allows us to reach those under-served areas of our city with fun, interactive tools and toys,” said Sandra Sydor, Manager of Community Engagement. “Its been fabulous meeting so many new faces and introducing them to the wonders of a library card.” Schools, classrooms, and local organizations can visit our website to request a visit from the library.
barrielibrary.ca/SRC
BPL on the GO Reaches New Members
barrielibrary.ca/BPLontheGO
I just wanted to take a second to thank you so incredibly much for what you guys do in our community. We did the summer reading program with our son and he loved it! All the different activities that he got to attend were amazing and so well done. 9
Residents Tap Into Their Artistic Side Libraries are all about discovery and learning, and our Creative Spaces provide the perfect space for residents to learn new skills and explore their passions. Cost is often a barrier to exploring artistic ventures, trying new technology or building new skills. Our Downtown library has everything you need to take on a sewing project, make a custom t-shirt or dishwasher-safe mug, engrave a cutting board, and more. Our Painswick and Holly locations have a 3D printer, Cricut cutter, Mug Press, and Easy Press. It’s also become a meeting place for those looking to make connections and work on projects together. We recently added communal canvases for visitors to grab some paints and brushes and add to a collaborative piece of art.
barrielibrary.ca/creativespaces
Families Come in Record Numbers to Enjoy March Break Activities March Break was one for the books! Families came out in full force to enjoy fun, educational activities and performances at our three locations.
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Welcoming Place for All Empower Simcoe Partnership Strengthens the Community The library partners with many community organizations that take advantage of the library’s spaces, resources and tools. Empower Simcoe utilizes our library spaces as an “inreach” opportunity, meeting clients where they are already spending their time and are comfortable. Empower Simcoe staff are Downtown three times a week to assist with housing services, including landlord/tenant mediation, referrals to community services, and providing resources to assist with securing and maintaining housing. The library also hosts Empower Simcoe’s Job Readiness program which assists clients in finding meaningful employment. Partnerships like these highlight the power of community agencies working together, and the value of the library as a community hub.
Local Authors Find New Connections and New Readers at the Library Simcoe County is home to a group of 150+ active local authors of every age and genre, and the list continues to grow each year. The Barrie Public Library’s goal is to support and provide opportunities for showcasing a wide range of local authors to our community, as well as provide learning opportunities within this talented group of writers. Our Local Author Book Market took place in December, featuring over 40 local authors who were on hand to sign and sell their books, take part in lightning talks, and connect with each other.
Thank you for organizing such a wonderful event. Each staff member did an amazing job. I enjoyed the experience of connecting and meeting other local authors. 11
BPL Working to Help Reduce Period Poverty
Public libraries are a safe space for everyone - regardless of heritage, education, beliefs, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental capabilities, or income.
The Barrie Public Library has taken another step in reducing barriers for the community. In an effort to help reduce period poverty, all washrooms at all locations now have menstrual products available to the public for free. The United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFA) defines period poverty as “the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products. The term also refers to the increased economic vulnerability women and girls face due to the financial burden posed by menstrual supplies.” “We recognize that period poverty is a real concern for many in our community,” explains Lauren Jessop, CEO at the Barrie Public Library. “The library is proud to support this movement for free menstrual product availability across the country.” 12
Celebrating Our Staff & Volunteers BPL Librarian Named Child and Youth Librarian of the Year
Library Associate Ashlea FitzWeber Publishes First Book in a 7-Part Series
Serena McGovern, Children’s Services Librarian, was thrilled to be named Children and Youth Librarian of the Year from the Ontario Public Library Association. The award honours a children’s librarian who has made a positive impact on children’s or youth services in the community, while also improving the work experience of their colleagues.
Working in a library brings many joyful moments. For new local author and BPL staff member Ashlea FitzWeber, seeing her own book on the library’s shelves is the best one of all.
Serena’s achievements include planning programs across the system, championing accessibility, and fostering partnerships with other organizations in the community. “Receiving this award is a testament to her accomplishments,” said CEO Lauren Jessop. “We’re very proud of her.”
Ashlea published her first book in the spring of 2023, titled City Girl: The Cottage Adventures. Loosely based on her time at her own family cottage, the book follows twin sisters and their adventures on the lake. Ashlea is passionate about the outdoors and a huge advocate for reading - this book was able to blend those passions. By the end of the year, she had already published 4 books in the 7-part series. “I hope my books inspire kids to read, and to realize that they can enjoy themselves without electronics,” said Ashlea.
This award of recognition is a strong testament to the dedication of our local librarians in nurturing young minds, solidifying the Barrie Public Library and their Children’s Services as an invaluable resource for our community. ~Mayor Alex Nuttall 13
Phoenix Connects with Their Community Through Volunteering at the Library “When I work at the library, I’m the first smile someone sees when they walk through the door,” says youth volunteer Phoenix Gray. A lifelong love of the library is what originally drew them to volunteer, but the opportunity to connect with their community is what keeps them coming back. “I love helping out and being involved in community events,” says Phoenix. “That’s what I love. The sense of community and connection that you build with everyone that comes in and out of the library.” Phoenix hopes to encourage other young people to volunteer at the library. “I have experienced a sense of fulfillment and worthiness from knowing that I have made a positive impact on my community.”
barrielibrary.ca/volunteer
Vounteer-led Book Sale Raises Over $4,000 for BPL In late May, we hosted a three-day Book Sale at our Downtown library just in time for summer. Book lovers of all ages enjoyed searching through pre-loved items in pursuit of new titles to add to their book shelves. This event was made possible by dedicated volunteers who prepared for and ran the multi-day sale. “It’s been a lot of work, but our success in raising funds to help support the growth of Barrie’s public library system is a reward in itself,” says Winnie, an avid reader and Volunteer Lead of the Book Sale. “It’s great to have a sustainable way to extend the life of these items and have others continue to enjoy the love of reading.” The Book Sale raised over $4000, which will help advance library services through special offerings like our Creative Spaces, Library of Things, and planning for future library locations.
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Thanking our Supporters Gale Moreau’s Wishes Live on Thanks to Husband Mark If you visited the Downtown Library’s café prior to 2020, chances are you met Gale Moreau. For more than 20 years, Gale volunteered at the library, and she always had a kind word or a smile to share with library patrons. “Gale was a very outgoing person,” says her husband Mark. “If she made you a friend, you were a friend for life.” According to Mark, Gale continued to volunteer for so many years because she loved to be at the library more than anywhere else. She wanted to encourage others to enjoy the library, and share all that the library had to offer. Following Gale’s passing in 2022, Mark contacted the library. Gale had left a gift for the library in her will, a gift she hoped could be used specifically in the children and youth areas of the library. Seeing Gale’s legacy live on at the library has had a big effect on Mark and his family. Mark’s grandchildren recently visited the Holly library, where a plaque in the children’s section acknowledges Gale’s gift. Mark’s daughter-in-law sent him a photo of his three grandchildren in the seat where the plaque hangs. “She said it took her over half an hour to be able to take the photo!” Mark recalls. “There were so many kids in and out of there, she had to wait for all of them to be done so she could take the photo. I know Gale would have just loved that.” We are deeply grateful for the support of our donors and volunteers, allowing us to enhance our library services.
“She wanted to encourage the youth of today to enjoy reading as much as she did,” explains Mark. “Her gift to the library was her way of doing that, and of saying thank you to the library.”
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barrielibrary.ca/donate
Looking Ahead to 2024 Opening a New Chapter on Strategic Planning Our current Strategic Plan outlines our strategic directions and goals for 2020-2024, guiding how we enhance our services, collections, and spaces. In 2024, we will begin the process to develop our new Strategic Plan that will take effect in 2025. Throughout the year we will seek feedback from staff, residents, community partners, and the City of Barrie to identify the needs and wants of our community. We look forward to launching this process and identifying the areas where we will continue to grow and expand throughout our city.
Naturally Occuring Retirement Communities The Barrie Public Library is a partner on a multi-year research project on Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) that aims to identify unique solutions to support aging in place, particularly for women. A NORC is a geographical area that has naturally become home to a significant concentration of older adults. The goal is to enhance NORCs in Ontario with health services and social supports, delivered through on-site, in-person and technology-
enabled means. Other partners on the research project include Barrie Housing, the City of Barrie, and Toronto Public Library. The study is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) with additional funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The Library’s participation involves outreach to two NORC sites in Barrie, with learnings that will inform our program and outreach planning in the future.
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Downtown 60 Worsley St.
barrielibrary.ca 705-728-1010 AskUs@barrielibrary.ca
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Holly 555 Essa Rd.
Painswick 48 Dean Ave.