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2 0 1 6 A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S
• Improved literacy and learning
opportunities for children – over 16,000
kids participated in Summer Reading Club.
• Offered life-long skills learning through
technology training, story times, reading
clubs and a variety of programs to many
Surrey residents.
• Promoted general health through an
array of programs & speakers, such as
substance use author Michael Pond and
financial literacy speakers from the Credit
Counselling Society.
• Completed renovations of Guildford
Library to provide a more welcoming
fireplace lounge and digital community
art display, and refurbished Semiahmoo
Library to include improved access for
youth.
• Improved services for people with visual
and perceptual disabilities by promoting
access to CELA (Centre for Equitable
Library Access).
• Supported social & economic integration
of newcomers through active participation
in Local Immigration Partnership, e.g.
hosted Human Library and provided
library cards and tours to refugees and
newcomers.
• Strengthened relationship with the
Surrey Pre-trial Centre to provide books &
resources to inmates.
• Promoted & supported growth of ‘Little
Free Libraries’ to improve a sense
of community well-being in local
neighbourhoods.
• Launched
Lynda.com,an online software
to support skills development within the
workforce.
• Partnered with Self Employment and
Entrepreneur Development Society
(SEEDS) to improve information and
networking opportunities for budding
entrepreneurs.
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.
CITY OF SURREY
OVERVIEWS
SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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