The Fort Frances Public Library delivered a presentation to town council on Monday evening regarding its 2018 annual report and annual performance measurement indicators/statistics report.
Library board chair Robin Dennis and Library CEO Caroline Goudling were on hand to discuss the library’s outlook for the year and accomplishments in 2018.
“The library continues to be an important community hub, attracting people from all age groups in our community,” Dennis noted.
“The programming and marketing strategies are paying off with increased participation at library generated activities.”
This year saw a number of innovations and changes at the library, according to Goulding.
She said there has been staff retirements, new hires, a slew of new programs and partnerships, changes to the library’s physical space, new and expanded technology, and programs and services.
“In 2018 the library engaged in a number of initiatives based on the results from the 2017 report,” Goulding remarked.
The library restructured its summer reading program which led to increases in attendance for a number of programs as well as notable 67 percent increase in the number of children registered for the program,
“We began advertising our collections and services more progressively and we were able to secure a grant for a summer student who focused solely on seniors’ programming,” Goulding lauded.
She said through examining the facts and figures from the 2018 annual report the library has been able to identify a number of further priority focused areas for this year.
Those include continuing the redevelopment of the Summer Learning Program, completing the marketing strategy as outlined in the 2019-2023 strategic plan, and work towards the objectives listed in the strategic plan under “Engaging the Community and Communicating Our Message.”
The report also shows that in 2019 the library should engage primary classes in visits and outreach programs, complete the programming plan, and investigate the possibility of permanently deploying Tumblebooks–a curated database of children’s e-books–in the children’s library.
As well the library aims to begin implementing the objectives of the strategic plan around mental health and addictions.
“One big accomplishment we’ve already made this year was the launch of our 2019-2023 Strategic Plan,” Goulding remarked.
“This plan was created over a two year period and gives library staff a path forward into the future.”
The 2018 report shows that last year there were over 4,500 library members, almost 105,000 library visits, around 71,000 items checked out and close to 31,000 website visits.
Some of the new programs held in 2018 include the Saturday Craft Club, Nerd Night, Toddler Time, Community Café, May I Ask Mondays, yoga for adults, senior’s appreciation tea, movie discussions, Imaging Club, Pride Week events, Storytime in Alberton Park, UNFC’s Science and Sensory, Soapstone Carving, a Photoshop workshop, and Ancestry.ca workshop
In 2018, the library was able to secure over $50,000 in grants and had a total revenue and expenses of $616,622.
For the incidents that occurred in 2018 at the library, 53 percent involved youth, and 35 percent involved individuals who were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
The police were called in 35 percent of the incidents.
Mayor Caul was very thankful to the library staff for delivering the presentation and thanked Goulding personally for her time as CEO, as she will soon be leaving her position to work in Dryden.
“I just want to let you know publicly how much I will miss you personally,” Mayor Caul said.
“You have been a wonderful addition to this community, not only just with what you have accomplished and improved on in our library technology centre but you have been engaged in so many different community organizations that I have had the pleasure of being on with you as well.
“I commend you for furthering this library/technology centre so much more than when you first came,” Mayor Caul added. “You are tireless with what you do.”
