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City of Surrey Public Libraries
City of surrey Overviews
2 0 1 4 A c c o m p l i s h m e n t s
• Awarded GOLD status in LEED (Leadership in
Energy & Environmental Design) for the City
Centre Library.
• In partnerships with community groups and a
grant from the Vancouver Foundation, launched
six Little Free Libraries.
• Celebrated diversity by inviting the community
to participate in library-led Chinese New Year
and Diwali events.
• Launched “Read to Baby Program” – delivering
1,000 literacy kits to vulnerable newborns in
Surrey.
• Created and distributed “Low Cost & Free”
brochure, and worked with City’s Social
Planning department for an interactive version
on the website.
• Highlighted our work in literacy through the
3rd annual Literacy Day Report, focussing on
digital literacy initiatives at the library.
• Set up ‘Curiosity Corner’ at Newton Library –
an initiative to introduce iPads to families with
young children.
• Supported newcomer integration by offering
English language learning materials and
programs such as Library Champions, English
Conversation Classes and Settlement Services.
• 20,700 adults participated in library programs
such as computer classes, book clubs, financial
literacy seminars, and career workshops.
• 131,400 children and teens participated in
library programs such as Summer Reading
Club, Story times, Lego, and book clubs.
Surrey Libraries 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’s budgetary divisions include:
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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