City of Surrey's 2023 Annual Financial Report

CITY OF SURREY OVERVIEWS SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Library staff help citizens find information they need in branch collections, online collections, and by referral to other libraries and community organizations. Patrons can ask questions in person, by phone, or online. The Surrey Libraries website provides 24/7 access to the library catalogue, digital collections and program information. From the website, patrons can download eBooks and eAudio books, as well as access a wide selection of online resources, including articles, courses and streaming media. Partnerships with local community agencies help to further extend literacy programs beyond the library’s walls. Surrey Libraries offers a wide variety of programs that support life-long literacy and learning, including storytimes for children, job finding and career workshops, reading clubs for children, teens and adults, computer literacy and coding classes, services for newcomers, and support for customers with print disabilities, just to name a few. Surrey Libraries 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 BC OneCard program allows Surrey residents to borrow materials directly from other participating public libraries from across BC when they are travelling.

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 image and raises awareness and funds to support and enhance its community services.

PUBLIC SERVICES Public Services manages the borrowing and information services offered in branches and online, and plans, promotes, and delivers a wide variety of programs. This division also acquires and manages the print and electronic collections that suit the needs of Surrey’s diverse community.

2023 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Conducted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and training • Supported inclusion through 2SLGBTQIA+ booklists and displays • Offered library services and literacy skills to Surrey’s vulnerable and newcomer populations through outreach programs, reduced barrier access cards, online programming, and Internet only passes • Served as a cooling and warming centre during extreme weather

• Helped citizens improve digital literacy skills with training in branches and online • Provided programs to support skill-building, resume writing, and job seeking • Provided access to online courses from LinkedIn Learning, Learning Express, Kanopy Great Courses, and offered access to Cypress Resume • Offered core in-person and online programs for all age groups

• Added new online resources including French eBooks and eAudiobooks on Cantook, and a coding resource, CodeCombat

• Added Bee-Bots to the collection, supporting digital literacy

• Updated the Library’s strategic plan

• Created a climate action plan and a technology strategy for the Library • Evaluated spaces at branches to plan for optimum use of service points

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