GVPL Annual Report 2019

2019 ANNUAL REPORT G R E AT E R V I C T O R I A PUBLIC LIBRARY

Message from the Board Chair & CEO

Writing this message in 2020, we find it impossible to review last year’s achievements without acknowl-

edging the current and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful that the GVPL Board of Trustees and staff members laid a strong foundation for flexible service delivery in 2019, well before COVID struck. Greater Victoria Public Library has become an even greater force for good during this difficult time.

Bridging the digital divide featured prominently in our work in 2019. Staff created and led programs for

all ages with a focus on technology and digital learning, and met with thousands of patrons one-on-one, helping them learn to navigate online resources like the Lynda.com learning platform and Naxos Music Library. We also expanded our ebook and e-audiobook collections, and saw digital usage rise significantly.

In 2019, GVPL continued to boast one of the highest per capita borrowing statistics in Canada of both

digital and physical resources. Library staff delivered GVPL services outside our doors. We reached tens of thousands of people at community events and by partnering with First Nations, local organizations, and schools throughout the region. GVPL’s community focus helped us to engage with people who may have not used the library in a long time. Our enthusiastic staff members continually introduced new library users to our offerings to help everyone in our communities to learn and grow.

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In addition to making an impact in Greater Victoria, 2019 saw GVPL Trustees and staff in demand to

represent public libraries across Canada and the United States. GVPL demonstrated leadership by contributing to international conversations about the power of libraries and their ability to transform communities in so many ways. Our community-inspired library model is renowned for supporting community health, job readiness and social inclusion. GVPL was also the recipient of a prestigious international prize, the American Library Association’s John Cotton Dana Award, for excellence in library public relations.

Together, we are changing minds and inspiring individuals across Greater Victoria.

Like many public libraries, Greater Victoria Public Library has been asked many times about the relevance

of libraries in the digital age, and 2019 was no different. We have always proudly answered this question with examples of our contributions to lifelong learning and the many ways we transform communities.

We are living through a challenging time, with impacts that communities will face for years to come.

For centuries, libraries have shown their resilience and their ability to adapt to meet the needs of people in different times and places. Thanks to our donors, supporters, volunteers, partners and patrons, we will offer life-changing library services to support everyone through this experience. We know, as you do, human connections matter most. GVPL is here to nurture these connections and to be part of the new reality we face together.

Dr. Deborah Begoray

Maureen Sawa

Board Chair

Chief Executive Officer

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GVPL established itself as a library leader in 2019 with innovative ideas, community-inspired

Association, Ontario Library Association, the Pacific Northwest Library Association and the BC Library

service and a commitment to strong governance

Association. Of particular interest was GVPL's

and advocacy for libraries that led to opportunities

renowned community-inspired service model,

to showcase the work of the library locally,

which places patrons’ needs at the forefront and

nationally and internationally.

groups services at the library into pillars that are divided into portfolios (e.g., arts and culture,

Board trustees and CEO Maureen Sawa

participated in a number of special events and

diversity, creative technology), each one led by a librarian with subject-matter expertise.

displays that shone a spotlight on B.C. public libraries. Notably, they attended the Union of BC

Municipalities conference held in September and

completed a three-year project to create a new

The Collections and Technical Services team

delivered a presentation about libraries as part of

list of Indigenous subject headings and replaced

critical infrastructure.

more than 700 terms on 8,000 titles in the GVPL catalogue.

Staff at all levels were in-demand speakers

and delivered an unprecedented number of conference

presentations nationally and internationally including

as Change Your Mind – was also recognized on the

sessions at conferences held by the American Library

international stage. In June, Change Your Mind won

GVPL’s strategic marketing campaign – known

Board trustees (left to right): Kathy Santini, Councillor John Rogers (View Royal) and Joy Davis attend the opening of the

with support for innovative ideas, service models and governance

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sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw James Bay Branch in May 2018.

the John Cotton Dana Award, a prestigious international prize celebrating outstanding public relations initiatives at libraries around the world. The award, provided in conjunction with the H.W. Wilson Foundation, the American Library Association and EBSCO, came with a 10,000 USD prize. Change Your Mind centres on five “brain types” – adventurous, creative, curious, healthy and hungry – presented in friendly graphics that entice people to use the library with a dual message: change your mind about what you think you know about libraries, and change your mind literally through the library’s resources – ideas, information and inspiration.

To help develop leaders at all levels of the organization, GVPL launched its own leadership development

training program; the first cohort graduated in 2019. Participants attend sessions presented by internal and external facilitators designed to build leadership and supervisory skills, support staff to reach their professional goals and help GVPL plan for future growth. The leadership program will be offered again next year.

Highlights GVPL represented B.C. libraries

GVPL represented public

opportunity it co-founded in

at a session of the Legislative

libraries at BC Book Day at the

2015 with the libraries of the

Assembly during which Education

BC Legislature, hosting a booth

University of Victoria and

Minister Rob Fleming proclaimed

with the BC Library Association.

Camosun College.

Public libraries across B.C. used

As member of the South Island

Two GVPL staff members

this opportunity to raise aware-

Prosperity Project (SIPP), GVPL

were accepted into the 2019

ness about the diverse and

established the library as a

cohort of the Library Leaders

evolving roles libraries play

contributor to economic sustain-

Excellence and Development

in our communities.

ability in our community.

Canada (LLEAD) program, and

October to be BC Library Month.

one staff member continued her Board trustees participated in

GVPL hosted a meeting and

participation in the Canadian

a strategic priority retreat at

strategic planning session of the

Urban Library Council (CULC)

the University of Victoria that

IslandLink Library Federation at

Public Library Leaders program.

included opportunities for

the sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw James Bay

learning, engagement and

Branch in October. Participants

development.

included representatives from Alert Bay, Powell River and Salt

GVPL held its ninth annual Staff

Spring Island libraries and GVPL

Development Day in June with a

board trustees and staff.

program of speakers and workshops to support staff engage-

For the fifth year, GVPL was

ment, increase collaboration and

a lead organization of the

inform service delivery.

Vancouver Island Library Staff

PROGRAM ATTENDANCE

88,567 60,064 KIDS 26,918 ADULTS 1,717 TEENS

Conference – a learning

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discovery through programs, collections and services that enhance literacy and lifelong learning.

Bridging the digital divide featured prominently in GVPL’s 2019 programming, with learning opportunities

in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). Discovery Labs fostered preschoolers’ interest in science and helped them to develop numeracy skills; pre-coding for school-aged kids allowed young learners to delve into the basics of computational thinking; and DigiLab programs for teens explored virtual reality and robotics with Ozobots, a programmable robot.

Adults also expanded their technology skills with virtual reality petting zoos that introduced curious

patrons to technologies for learning and play. Furthermore, 630 adults took part in computer and technology programs, and an additional 380 individuals worked one-on-one with a librarian to answer their technology questions and learn how to use GVPL’s digital collections and resources.

In addition, GVPL offered a myriad of programs to inspire creativity and lifelong learning, including

languages, gardening and Bollywood dancing. The new Stay and Play series for pre-school children included

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curated kits and activities to support the development of early literacy skills such as singing, talking, reading, writing and playing.

Highlights Registration for the BC Summer

records for films, movies and

Connection Westshore during

Reading Club at GVPL set a new

TV shows to help patrons more

Family Literacy Week in January.

record: 9,050 children under 12

easily locate TV series, documen-

The event won first place in 2019

participated.

taries, French- and world-

for Best Community Literacy

language items shelved in their

Event in B.C., a prize awarded

own sections for easy browsing.

by Decoda Literacy Solutions, a

CloudLibrary, our ebook and

province-wide non-profit that

e-audiobook platform, released an updated app in March, which

The fifth Emerging Local

supports literacy programs and

contributed to record borrowing

Authors Collection included 80

practitioners.

rates. July and August saw more

authors; their 100 works, includ-

than 43,500 checkouts each,

ing print and digital books, fea-

GVPL’s Books for Babies

and yearly circulation through

tured content for all ages in all

program received a grant from

CloudLibrary increased by 18 per

genres and will be on display at

the Times Colonist Literacy

cent from 2018.

the Central Branch for one year.

Society to provide a literacy kit to 2,750 newborns in Greater

GVPL improved access to DVDs

The Juan de Fuca Branch par-

Victoria in 2019. Kits consisted of

and Blu-rays by creating new

ticipated in a literacy event with

a reusable bag containing a book,

categories in the catalogue

local organization Your Literacy

music CD and literacy resources for families and were distributed to new parents with assistance

GVPL Librarian Carl Cavanagh with an Emerging Local Author at the collection launch event in the Central Branch courtyard, May 2019.

from Island Health.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

2,862 1,684 KIDS 1,119 ADULTS 59 TEENS

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great library spaces to meet unique user needs – in person and through our multiple e-service channels.

In addition to supporting

patrons inside our 12 physical branches, GVPL staff brought the library to the community, offering pop-up services at public events in Greater Victoria.

In total, we connected with more than 29,000 attendees at 530 events, including 31 community markets, block parties and festivals from Metchosin to the Saanich Peninsula. Day or night, GVPL was in the community storytelling, checking out materials and promoting digital collections to access all day, every day.

GVPL’s twelfth branch,

sxweŋxwəŋ

təŋəxw James Bay

Branch, celebrated its one-year anniversary in May. Located behind the BC Legislature in the Capital Park Development, the branch is the second in the City of Victoria and is the first branch in the GVPL system with an Indigenous name – sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw is the Lekwungen name for the James Bay area – which was selected by the city through a public naming process.

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At a small gathering held for the branch’s anniversary, GVPL

unveiled a new piece of art created by former City of Victoria Artist in Residence Luke Ramsey. Ramsey led regular art programming for children at the branch and incorporated the students’ artwork into a large piece that includes four illuminated hangings visible from inside the library and from the street. See photo on page 8.

sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw James Bay Branch has been a welcome addition

to the James Bay neighbourhood, serving as a destination for dozens of local organizations, artists and writers. In 2019, GVPL launched family storytime programs at the branch. The branch welcomed an average of 15,500 visitors every month in 2019.

Highlights The Food Eco District (FED)

support the health and rights

expanded their urban learning

of sex workers, provided a two-

garden in the courtyard of the

day Trans ID clinic at the

Central Branch with the addition

sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw James Bay

of a pollinator garden. It includes

Branch to help people legally

signage to support individual

change their names and gender

learning, a complement to

markers. The clinic was free for

programs delivered by Life-

participants.

Art produced in a GVPL program by local children and Luke Ramsey, former City of Victoria Artist in Residence.

Cycles Project Society and Master Gardeners, in partner-

Led by Luke Ramsey, former

ship with GVPL.

City of Victoria Artist in Residence, Sketchy Thursdays

Zine Daze: A Zine and Art Fair

encouraged artists of all skill

drew local and international

levels to join a creative com-

enthusiasts to the Central Branch

munity and build their body of

courtyard from as far away as

work. The weekly drop-in group sxweŋxwəŋ

Dawson City, Toronto, Portland

was held at

and Seattle to share and

James Bay Branch.

təŋəxw

VISITS

6,307,666 3,890,520 E-VISITS 2,417,146 IN-PERSON

create zines – self-published mini magazines usually produced

GVPL implemented Microsoft

in small batches by hand.

Office 365 software for staff, which provided additional

The PACE Society and Peers

tools for collaboration and

Victoria Resources Society, two

teambuilding.

OUTREACH 529 EVENTS 28,955 ATTENDANCE

non-profit organizations that

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passionate library members, funders and partners to expand the library’s reach and impact.

Partnerships are key to GVPL’s strategy to

Tsawout First Nation Cultural Elder in Residence pro-

expand the library’s reach and introduce new

gram, which allowed the Elder to share her cultural

people to the benefits of using the library.

knowledge and increase awareness of Indigenous ways and the importance of their languages.

Collaborations with local First Nations continued

to build relationships and supported shared liter-

acy goals. GVPL participated in the summer camp

through the BC Settlement and Integration Services

at the Songhees Wellness Centre and Kwum Kwum

program, developed in partnership with Victoria

Lelum’s homework club. We also hosted several

Immigrant Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS). The

Indigenous programs at library branches, including

three-year program launched in April 2018 and

Tsawout First Nation’s stories and crafts, which

positioned GVPL as a community hub for people

included components in SENĆOŦEN, the language of

new to Greater Victoria. Programming took place in

the Saanich people. GVPL also supported the

six GVPL branches, helping support the social and

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GVPL’s support for newcomers expanded

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economic integration of newcomers to the province, particularly those who are not eligible for federal settlement services. Language training, business development support and workshops on employment, finances and library services were delivered with an attendance of 2,800. Funding is provided by the Province of British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology.

TOTAL CARD HOLDERS

156,901

152,512 RESIDENT CARDHOLDERS (47% OF POPULATION) 23,977 CHILD (0-13) CARDHOLDERS

In June, the inaugural One eRead Canada/Un

livrel Canada initiative, presented by the Canadian Urban Library Council, launched a national discussion about Dawn Dumont’s book of short stories, Glass Beads. GVPL staff helped organize the new initiative, participated in online programming and contributed to the national conversation about the book while promoting our digital collections. More than 230 GVPL card holders borrowed Glass Beads.

TOTAL INTERNET SESSIONS

743,166

224,508 PUBLIC COMPUTER SESSIONS (229,156 HOURS OF USE) 518,658 WIRELESS SESSIONS

NEW LIBRARY CARD REGISTRATIONS

17,357

2,193 CHILDREN’S CARDS 14,658 ADULT CARDS 506 TEEN CARDS

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Anna Walkus, Tsawout First Nation Elder, tells children stories about the importance of salmon and teaches words and phrases in SENĆOŦEN.

Threads and James Bay New Horizons allowed GVPL to host expert-led sessions.

A two-day Health Coach training course supported seniors and people living with chronic health issues, and seniors’ resource information sessions helped reduce social isolation.

GVPL’s relationship with the Victoria Film Festival expanded to include workshops and hands-on virtual reality sessions at the Central Branch during the festival month in February.

GVPL participated in the Phone It Forward campaign, a partnership between the CNIB Foundation and the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, of which GVPL is a member. The program is a new initiative that provides refurbished smartphones, donated by individuals and corporations, to Canadians with sight loss. Libraries across Canada served as collection points for the donated phones;

Highlights GVPL’s partnership with the Victoria Festival of Authors included six programs and workshops for children and tweens with Canadian authors Monique Gray Smith, Kari Jones, Richard van Camp, Sara Cassidy and Sean Rodman.

GVPL collected more than 250 devices last year.

GVPL worked with local non-profit organizations to offer Trans ID clinics at the sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw James Bay and Central branches to help people legally change their names and gender markers free of charge, thanks to PACE Society, Peers Victoria Resources Society and the University of Victoria’s chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada.

Collaboration with over 50 local organizations such as the BC Black History Awareness Society, Community Living BC, Victoria Conservatory of Music and Youth Services Provider Network helped individuals and families access community information, programming and resources. Through these partnerships, organizations enhanced their capacity to serve larger audiences.

BORROWED ITEMS

5,611,017

4,417,936 PHYSICAL ITEMS 1,193,081 DIGITAL ITEMS

Partnerships with the University of Victoria’s

(CELA included)

Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, Silver

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Q&A with Friends of the Library President, Irwin Henderson Irwin Henderson began working

website and social media. We do this to make a great library system

with the Friends of the Library

even better, and we promote the library in the community through

in 2012, as a representative of

fundraising, volunteerism and advocacy.

the Board of Trustees of the Greater Victoria Public Library.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about the

Since 2015, he has served as

Friends? We are very close to having raised a million dollars since 1999.

president of the Friends, leading the enthusiastic volunteer group

What contributions did the Friends make in 2019? In support of GVPL,

as it holds several yearly used

we funded Indigenous Reads displays at all 12 branches and the BC

book sales and runs the Friend-

Summer Reading Club, which had more than 9,000 kids participate. We

shop at the Central Branch.

also helped purchase more ebooks and e-audiobooks, and contributed

Funds raised are invested into

funds for digital technologies at the new Esquimalt Branch, now under

GVPL, to enhance programming

construction. In total, we donated $48,000. For the Friends’ organisa-

and services for the community.

tion, it was also a very good year. We had four book sales, and with the proceeds from the Friendshop plus memberships, raised $50,000. We

Why did you choose to join the

welcomed new members to our Board and said goodbye and thank you

Friends of the Library? Libraries

to those retiring. We had more volunteers and memberships than the

have been part of my life from

year before, and we introduced online registration for our volunteers.

day one. My grandmother was a librarian, and my wife is one

Can you share the title of a book you’ve enjoyed recently? Play it Again:

as well. I believe the library is a

An Amateur Against the Impossible by Alan Rusbridger. The editor of

necessary and vital community

The Guardian newspaper recounts in his book the story of how he

institution. They are free, and

practised and later performed a very hard Chopin piano piece.

they make the world accessible, whether you want to learn things to develop or entertain yourself. As a fellow Friend volunteer put it, “You have to support what you love.”

What common vision unites the Friends? Supporting the library.

Our great Board and teams of volunteers are busy running book sales, getting memberships, raising money, staying

Left to right: GVPL CEO Maureen Sawa with Hon. Carole James, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier, and Irwin Henderson, president of the Friends, at the opening of the sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw James Bay Branch in May 2018.

connected with a newsletter,

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Community Leaders Back row left to right: Matt Sahlstrom, Karel Roessingh, Matthew Boyd, Andrew Appleton, Bob Beckett Second row: Andy MacKinnon, Zeb King, John Rogers, Jane Vermeulen, Elysia Glover, Joy Davis, Front row: Karen Harper, Doug Kobayashi, Maureen Sawa and Deborah Begoray Missing from photo: Tzu-I Chung, Donna Curtis, Susan Laidlaw, Jeremy Loveday and Kathy Santini

2019 Greater Victoria Public Library Board, Appointees by Municipality Central Saanich

Metchosin

Victoria

Councillor Zeb King

Councillor Andy MacKinnon

Deborah Begoray

Colwood

Oak Bay

Councillor Doug Kobayashi

Councillor Andrew Appleton

Esquimalt

Saanich

Councillor Jane Vermeulen

Matthew Boyd

View Royal

Donna Curtis

Councillor John Rogers

Highlands

Elysia Glover Tzu-I Chung Kathy Santini Councillor Jeremy Loveday

Susan Laidlaw

Councillor Karel Roessingh

Joy Davis Councillor Karen Harper

Langford Bob Beckett Councillor Matt Sahlstrom

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2019 Donors GVPL would like to acknowledge the organizations, individuals and those that wish to remain anonymous who generously gave in 2019. Thanks to the community's support, we expanded our collections, upgraded our spaces and provided engaging, free activities for people of all ages to connect, discover and imagine.

Gordon Alexander

Jeremy Loveday

Bateman Foundation

James Anderson

Alan MacLeod

Belfry Theatre

Lucas Ashland

Elizabeth MacPherson

Blenkinsop Valley Golf Centre

Rouxanne Audy

Pamela Madoff

Boulders Climbing Gym

William Baker

Corinne Mah

Canadian Mental Health Association

Annette Barclay

Paul McKinnon

CanCode

RenĂŠe Bauert

Rance Yan Ki Mok

City Centre Park

Deborah Begoray

John Neal

Craigdarroch Castle

Michael Bell

Cheryl Osborn

Fairway Market

Estate of Chantal Berard

PayPal Giving Fund Canada

Flying Squirrel

Estate of Doreen Mary Bertram

Greater Victoria Active Communities

Matthew Boyd

Provincial Employees Community Services Fund

Karen Burns

Kira Reynolds

Roberta Burris

Noel Robb

Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria

CanadaHelps

Patricia Robertson

Island Health

Canadian Council of Archives

Karel Roessingh

James Bay New Horizons

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 410

John Rogers

LifeCycles Project

Tanja Rosteck

Charities Aid Foundation Canada

Rotary Club of the West Shore

Maritime Museum of British Columbia

Chimp: Charitable Impact Foundation (Canada)

Kathy Santini

Pacific Opera Victoria

Maureen Sawa

Panago Pizza

Diane Cliffe

Estate of Mary Shelton

Royal British Columbia Museum

Courthouse Libraries BC

Robert Showers

Silver Threads Service for Seniors

Donna Curtis

Ana Simeon

Nicola Davidson

Rosemary Snead

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Canada: West

Joy Davis

Estate of Brian Strawbridge

Friends of the Library

Reta Irene Sutherland

Estate of Frank Godwin

Times Colonist Literacy Society

Lyle Grant

Molly Toh

Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society

United Way of Greater Victoria

Thomas Hackney

Victoria Foundation

GIFTS TO HONOUR OTHERS

Erica Westbrook

Joyce Smith from Joy Davis

Jessica and Stephen Woollard Myron Wu

Pamela Madoff from the Canadian Club of Victoria

Robert Yuen

Margaret Windle from Jack Windle

United Way Toronto and York Region

Pam Haere Fred Heath Suzanne Helston IslandLink Library Federation Leah Jackson Annie James Shuen King Gerald Klassen Roger and Judith Love

Historic Joy Kogawa House Society

Telus World of Science University of Victoria Victoria Arts Council Victoria Butterfly Gardens Western Speedway

GIFTS IN KIND Amnesty International Victoria Art Gallery of Greater Victoria AVI Health and Community Services

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735 Broughton Street Victoria, BC, V8W 3H2 250-940-4875

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