2015 City of Surrey Annual Report

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SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY
CITY OF SURREY OVERVIEWS
2 0 1 5 A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S
• Prepared the 2015 Literacy Day Report,
which highlighted the economic impact
of libraries
LDR15.pdf.
• Supported the creative economy by
hosting the Surrey Maker Showcase,
which featured 3D printing.
• Created a pilot seed lending library.
• Reduced printing by piloting scan to
USB services for the public at the City
Centre Library.
• Worked to improve early literacy skills, for
example over 15,500 children participated
in Summer Reading Club in 2015.
• Piloted new partnerships with agencies
that assist people with mental health
and other issues.
• Eliminated fines on children’s materials
to reduce barriers to accessing library
services.
• Hosted an event for homeschooler
families, to inform them of services
and collections available.
• Continued to help reduce the ‘digital
divide’ by making iPads available for
families with young children, through
‘Curiosity Corners’ at City Centre and
Strawberry Hill libraries.
• Hosted the Surrey Soiree, a signature
event designed to highlight the work
being done by libraries and raise the
awareness of the Library as a charitable
organization.
Surrey Public Library has nine branches, located in the six town centres: Guildford, Fleetwood, Newton,
City Centre, Cloverdale and South Surrey, as well as in Strawberry Hill, Ocean Park and Port Kells.
The Library collects and loans a wide variety of materials in print, audiovisual and electronic formats.
Information Services staff help customers with collections, online databases, eBooks and eAudio,
internet sites and other information.
Customers can ask questions in person, by telephone, or email. The Library’s website provides links to
community organizations in Surrey and to useful sites on the Internet. The library offers a wide variety
of programs that support literacy, including story times for children, job finding and career workshops,
reading clubs for children and teens, computer literacy classes, services for new Canadians and support
for customers with print disabilities. Partnerships with local community agencies help to extend literacy
programs beyond the Library’s walls.
The Library is a member of the Public Library InterLINK, a federation of 18 library systems in the Lower
Mainland that allows citizens to borrow directly from all partner libraries and to return materials at their
home library branch. The department has responsibility for the following divisions/sections:
PUBLIC SERVICES
Public Services manages the borrowing and information services
offered through its nine locations, and plans, promotes and delivers
a wide variety of programs. This division also acquires and manages
the print and electronic collections to meet the needs of Surrey’s
diverse community.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Administrative Services manages the physical spaces, as well
as the finance, human resources and information technology
functions of the Library system, ensuring day-to-day service
requirements are met. This division also manages the Library’s
external communications and raises awareness and funds
to support and enhance its community services.
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