Chinook Regional Library

 

Our activity through the year was interesting, challenging, and even frenetic at times. But through it all, we have not lost focus of our goal to support a functional and literate population in southwest Saskatchewan.

 

Branch and Corner Libraries

Our search for a new City Librarian began early in the year.  The City Librarian Search Committee conducted telephone interviews in March.  The position was offered, accepted the following week, and then the applicant withdrew two days later.  Further interviews were conducted in June without success.  Interviews were arranged in November and an offer for employment was finally accepted by Manisha Khetarpal, currently the librarian at Slave Lake, Alberta.  Manisha will begin her position in Swift Current on May I, 2005.

 

On behalf of the Chinook Regional Library, I received cheques from Neil Beaubier of RBC Investments and RBC Foundations totalling $5,000.00 for the purchase of paperback display units.  Display units have been placed into seven area branch libraries.

 

At our Fall Board Meeting in November, we recognize annually both Branch andCornerLibraries of the Year.  This year’s recipients were Maple Creek branch and Mendham corner library.

 

Library Software and Training

The introduction of new library software resulted in extensive training for both Headquarters and branch staff.

 

RSS (interlibrary loan software) was introduced at the branch level and its efficient use increased through the year.  Myra Leyshon and Doreen Roberts provided training sessions at 18 branch libraries.

 

Our cataloguing/circulation software was upgraded through the Provincial Library acquisition of Horizon.  Myra Leyshon and I were involved in the parameters of design for both of HIP (Horizon Information Portal) and the cataloguing component.  Extensive design and testing began in March.  Training for Headquarters and Swift Current branch staff was initiated in April.  Myra Leyshon and Lynnette Butts provided training for the other eight automated branch libraries in July.   On October 26^th, fifteen branch staff attended a Horizon Workshop at Headquarters coordinated by both the Provincial Library and Headquarters.

 

Horizon’s cataloguing/circulation component became operational at our nine automated branches and Headquarters on July 21.  Chinook’s HIP catalogue, available from our website, was launched into the public domain on October 22.

 

E-Library Services

Electronic library resources in our province are ever-expanding.  The work of the Multitype Library Board (MLB) and the Multitype Database Licensing Program (MDLP) provides Saskatchewan residents with access to over 6000 on-line magazines and journals.  The resources are encyclopedic and trust worthy.  Through the year, 1,433 individuals accessed these databases from the library or at home.  It is disappointing though, as this figure represents a ten percent decrease in access when compared with 2003 figures.

 

Also underutilized is the electronic question and answer service SaskatchewanLibraries:Ask Us!  This service is accessed through our website and questions are directed to our reference staff for prompt and accurate response.

 

Library resources are no longer confined, but their value can not be fully appreciated unless they are accessed.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Michael J. Keaschuk, Library Director