More people are cozying up with a good book at the Cold Lake Public Library, and they have the stats to prove it.
The local library board is projecting a 75 per cent increase in circulation of paper books for 2019, said treasurer Darren Robson during a presentation to the City of Cold Lake council on Nov. 12.
“There’s quite a large increase in circulation this year in terms of items checked out. We’re on track for a 75 per cent increase, and this is in terms of paper copies, books going in and out,” he exclaimed, noting that doesn't include members accessing their e-books service.
This year, the library is estimating they will see a total circulation of 162,738, an increase of nearly 70,000.
But books leaving the shelves isn't the only area the library has seen a jump.
More and more families are walking through the doors to utilize their various services.
The board is estimating that they will see an increase of over 7,000 people coming to either the Cold Lake north or south library branches, for a total of 43,729 users.
“Staff are always keeping track of how many people come into the library every day. By the looks of it, this year the library is being used heavily by walk-in traffic whether it be for programs, to look at books, use computers, you name it the library is seeing an increase in traffic,”detailed Robson.
In terms of membership, 2018 had 4,962 cards handed out, with 2019 projecting somewhere in the 6,600 ballpark.
According to Robson, because the Cold Lake locations are part of the Northern Lights Library System, users are able to exchange paper copies between various libraries within the region.
“Numbers are up again in terms of patrons being allowed to access any resources from any of our rural libraries in Alberta, and the province pays for moving them around. In order to do that, the library needs to belong to a regional system, which is part of the funding that we ask you and the MD for every year is to pay for our memberships and dues into the regional library system,” Robson said.
In total, there has been an increase of 3,896 items exchanged through the inter-library loans program from 2018's 33,514 to 2019's projected 36,400.
The library also offers free computer usage to the public, which Robson said has remained steady over the past two years at 6,000 users annually.
"It’s a heavily used item, both branches of the library have four or five computers available for anyone,” he continued.
Whether it's checking email, surfing social media, or updating their resume, residents continue to utilize the free service at both library locations. However, due to Windows' recent announcement that they would be discontinuing the use of Windows 7 programming, the library board is required to update their computers.
Robson explained, “This year we had a bit of a rude surprise from the regional library system that all of our computers are out of date as Windows moves to Windows 10. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but Windows is cutting off use to Windows 7… We were doing a bit of scrambling looking for funding in order to do that for next year, but our MD councillor (that sits on the board) suggested they might have some money set aside for a project like that, so we have a request out with the MD right now to fund the replacement of 19 computers.”
The Cold Lake libraries aren't just about books on the shelves. Jeanette Hatta, member of the library board, said they also offer a wide range of programming that's not only educational, but also entertaining and social.
From Reading to Cats to Art Lessons, the local library has something for those interested in a variety of hobbies, she added.
“A big one is China the turtle who lives at the north branch. She’s very entertaining for the patrons, especially for the young ones, and she’s also very educational. She’s the main attraction and inspiration for our turtle club."
The seniors' program brings books to some of their older readers, while the Pop-Up Indigenous Services is geared towards strengthening the libraries community partners with the Cold Lake First Nations, Elizabeth Métis Settlement, and Cold Lake Native Friendship Centre.
“Pop-up services are offered at three locations, and as you can see… within the first nine months of 2019 over 800 visits were made to the pop-ups by 100 patrons, with 1,600 items in circulation,” Hatta exclaimed.
Every year, the City of Cold Lake pitches in to cover the cost of free memberships for all of their residents. This time around, the library board will also be turning to the MD for the same ask. This is in addition to the municipalities' annual contributions.
In 2019, Cold Lake provided over $433,500 to the library, while the MD of Bonnyville paid just shy of $73,500. For 2020, the board has estimated the city will cover roughly $445,400 with the MD contributing a little less than $79,800.
The province will be pitching in over $128,500.
Robson said the Cold Lake Public Library is predicting a nearly three per cent increase in expenses for this year, something he attributes to an increase in hours, as requested by the public.
“The south branch will be open an hour earlier every morning… and there will be two hours added to the north branch,” he stated.
The dues to the Northern Lights Library System will also go up for the Cold Lake location, but that number wasn't provided to council at the meeting.
“Lastly is the area we call planning of service… the library just renewed its plan of service with the province, which is t here-year strategic plan. Part of that, we have goals and improvements every year that we would like to make, and for next year, one of them is to upgrade the furniture of the teen area of the branch and also to look at improving some signage throughout the library,” explained Robson.
He noted, if the board doesn't receive an increase in their annual funding from the city or MD, they would have to revisit their budget and make some adjustments as needed.
