VOL.14 No.2 FALL 1997

Chinook searches for ways to improve service and access

As the bookmobile breathed its last, the Chinook Regional Library has found better, more cost effective and flexible ways to serve its many rural patrons. "We have come up with a multi-level solution to serve communities previously visited by the Bookmobile," said Michael Keaschuk, Regional Librarian. Those solutions include Corner Libraries, a toll-free Reader Request Line, E-mail access to Headquarters and longer hours for existing branches.

CORNER LIBRARIES
Watch for Corner Libraries opening in a community near you starting in October. "We have interest from 13 communities already and expect that number to grow," Mr. Keaschuk said.

A Corner Library is set up in an existing community location, which is open for other reasons. This means that each community can determine the best place for its library and enjoy longer hours. "Patrons will find they have much more access with Corner Libraries than with the Bookmobile," said Mr. Keaschuk. "Corner Libraries may be open several days a week instead of only the few hours a month provided by the Bookmobile."

Chinook Regional Library will provide between 500 and 700 paperback books per Corner Library. The collection will be exchanged throughout the year. "Corner Libraries will provide a more consistent and accessible service for recreational readers than was available with the Bookmobile."

READER REQUEST LINE
Want something that isn't in your Corner Library? Don't worry, it may be only a phone call away. (A toll-free call at that!) The toll-free number 1-888-CRL-8844 is a voice mailbox where patrons can leave their requests for books and materials 24 hours a day.

If phoning Swift Current is a local call for you please use 773-5564 as the Reader Request Line. (Saves Chinook "1-800" charges.)

Please give author and title (if known), series, subject, date when needed, age level of material (easy, juvenile, adult) and whether material is for a school project, personal interest or research. Also include your complete mailing address and phone number.

"The more information provided, the sooner the request can be filled," said Mr. Keaschuk. "The date by which material is needed is important because it helps staff determine whether they have time to get material from outside the system, if needed."

Want to talk directly with Headquarters staff? Just call (306) 773-3186, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m.- noon or 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

INTERNET ACCESS If you have Internet access, requests can be sent to Headquarters at any time via E-mail. Their address is: chinook@chinook.lib.sk.ca  Again, the more complete the information provided, the easier and faster the staff can fulfill the request.

BRANCH LIBRARIES Services and access continue to improve at many branch libraries, too. "Some branches have been able to increase their hours of operation," he said. "Future automation and Internet access will also make research and special information more convenient and quicker to obtain."
 

SUMMER IS S0000 COOL AT YOUR LIBRARY!  Danielle Fitzsimonds, Pam Huber and Steven Wrishko all tied for first place in the Leader Branch Library's Summer Reading Program. Not including Swift Current, 558 students from 19 branches participated in the program. More than 671 attended performances and 1,406 participated in activities. Participants read more than 9,482 books.

        Automation of libraries spreading

The Chinook Regional Library and its Branches are moving steadily into the computer age.

Headquarters has incorporated the Dynix software system into its operation and computers are now also an integral part of the Swift Current Branch. They are used for checking out books, holding the collection catalogue, and providing Internet access for patrons.

Other rural branches including Shaunavon, Leader, and Maple Creek are getting their hardware and funding in place so that when all the "bugs have been ironed out," they will be prepared to jump onto the computer bandwagon.

"We are just fine tuning various aspects of the system in the Swift Current Branch," said Regional Librarian Michael Keaschuk. "Once we have everything working perfectly we will expand it to other branches."

Some adaptation of the system was necessary to make it easier for patrons to determine which books are part of the local branch collection, the region's collection or are available elsewhere in the province.

Patrons in Swift Current have been very positive about the changes, said Branch Librarian Myra Leyshon. "They are especially pleased about the Internet access."

"I think people were ready for the changes," said Mr. Keaschuk.

So far, almost 2,000 new library cards, complete with bar codes, have been handed out to patrons. The new library cards make it easier and more efficient for staff to track overdue books and determine which parts of the branch's collection gets the most use.

"With any change as major as this one, there are also small glitches," he said. "But the advantages of the new system far out weigh any of the minor problems we are having in getting things organized."

"Up to this point, we have no idea how many people have had library cards, where they are from or what library services they used. Now we can keep track of that information," he said. "Simply put, we have more accurate patron information and we have better control of our collection, whether it is on the shelf or out on loan."

MAYOR PICKS UP NEW LIBRARY CARD

Mayor Paul Elder exchanged his old library card for a new computerized one at the Swift Current Library in August.  Automation of the Branch is in full swing. Employee Jackie Hudec, left, operates the new computerized check-out system and Branch Librarian Myra Leyshon looks on.

FALL BOARD MEETING November 22,1997 Chinook Regional Library Headquarters 1240 Chaplin St. W., Swift Current Registration - 12:30 p.m. Meeting - 1:00 p.m. Topics:budget, new services, and agreements resulting from the recent library legislation.

    Ponteix Library wins award

Absolutely everyone is welcome at the Ponteix Branch of the Chinook Regional Library.

The Library's efforts to make its facility more accessible to people with disabilities has been recognized with the presentation of the 1997 Saskatchewan Libraries Access Award for communities under 5,000.

Last year the Ponteix Library relocated to a well-lit, air-conditioned, 1,800 sq. ft. street level building with a permanent ramp, a wide entrance for easy access to all, including the elderly and handicapped, wheelchair accessible washrooms and wide aisles to make wheelchair use easy.

The summer program includes children with disabilities and seniors have been taking advantage of the interlibrary loan service, the large print collection and bilingual service. The facility is also within easy walking distance of the personal care home and the schools.

Congratulations to the library staff and board for making their library so welcoming to all.
 

NOTICE

Municipalities that have not signed the new agreement with the Chinook Regional Library are still participants in the library system. As of January 1, 1998, municipalities without signed agreement will not have representation on the board, but are still responsible for financial commitments approved by the Chinook Regional Library Board.
 

PATRON PROFILE THE RUSHKA FAMILY The library is a favorite stop for the Rushka family, who live in the small community of Springfeld, just south of Swift Current. "I especially like summers because we have time to browse through the library together and pick just what we want," said Gay Rushka.
 

Right from 2-year-old Callum to father Brett, the library has something for the whole family. "We can get puzzles, videos and games, said Jerrim, who is in Grade One. "I find it hard to choose which books to take home, because there are so many good ones," said Eleah, who is in Grade Four. Even Callum enjoys picking his own books!  Brett, a Grade Four teacher at Waldeck School, also finds the library a useful additional resource for his classroom. "When doing author studies I go to the library and collect a  whole box of books by the author  and keep them for three weeks," he explained. "And then I'll switch them for books by the next author." Brett also brings his classes into the library so they can develop research skills. "The library staff explain the resources available and then we spend the rest of the time collecting information."

The whole family enjoys reading and makes it an important part of their day. "I usually have two books on the go - one fiction and one nonfiction," said Gay, a former elementary school teacher and school librarian. Eleah often wakes up early in the morning so she can read for a half an hour before getting up.

With all this interest in books it is little wonder that the family is a regular customer at the Swift Current Library, where they take out as many as 25 books a week. "I used to limit everyone to four books so I could keep track of them," laughed Gay. "But Eleah reads too fast and now she will go through eight books a week, mostly mysteries and Jerrim can read five in a week. He likes science and animal books."

Since it is her job to keep track of all the library books, Gay said she really likes the Library's new computer check-out system. "It is really fast and we get a list of our books to help keep track of which ones are due when," she said pointing to a bunch of book lists stuck on the fridge.

Both Brett and Gay recognize the value of their library. "The library provides a wonderful enrichment opportunity," said Gay. "It opens up the whole world for our kids in a most affordable way."
 

Branch Profile - Cabri Library  

Since its 25th anniversary last October, the Cabri Library has seen many improvements. Each seems to start with Branch Librarian Joy Handwork saying, "I've been thinking"  Joy's musings have led to more than $4,000 worth of renovations and improved efficiencies in how the library looks and operates. "I just started with small easy changes," she said with a laugh. "But then I got thinking ."

The things Joy thought about just grew and grew. Soon she had local board members and staff involved. They painted the library (housed in the same building as the municipal offices), painted and redesigned the shelves, added carpeting and reorganized books displays. "We even spent days scraping wax off the floor with razor blades," she said. "My board is great, some helped paint and one member volunteers in the library so I can get administrative stuff done."

The entire 7,000 book collection was moved in and out twice and sometimes more before all the renovations were completed. "We borrowed grocery carts and those big flats they use to ship bread and had books everywhere," she said.

But that was only the beginning!

Once Joy got everyone started she just kept right on going. They also raised money to purchase books, children's videos, adult audio books, and decorations for the library. "Interest in our library has just continued to grow all year," she said. "Our request for help has really increased the library's profile in the community."

The result of that increased interest has translated into enormous increases in circulation and participation in library programs. The Cabri Branch's circulation has doubled in the last 18 months. In July, loans reached an all time high of 2,000. "This was way above anything we have ever experience before!" Average monthly circulation rates also increased. "We used to think it was a good month when circulation was 400 now we are disappointed if it is under 600 or 700 per month."

While some people might sit back and enjoy what they have done, others don't. Joy agrees that they have accomplished a lot, but adds, "We're not done yet!"  Her future plans include longer hours of service, providing Internet access for patrons, and doing a little more work in the Children's Section. In a couple of weeks she will start alphabetizing the paperbacks by author. "There is always something you can do to make things better for our patrons."

"BOOK A CROOK"  IN GULL LAKE April 18 was the day that all dern varmints in Gull Lake were rounded up, thrown in jail and held until they raised their $50 bail. By the end of the day, $7,000 had been raised for the Gull Lake Library Building Project. The event was held in the Elks Hall, which was decorated "crowbar hotel" style. A volunteer posse and judge dealt with the crooks and lunch was served.

  Library supports Writer-in-Residence Program  

Comfortably ensconced in his corner office at the Cypress Hills Regional College, Rod Maclntyre is looking forward to an interesting and productive nine months.  He just started his Writer - In -Residence program for Swift Current and area on Sept. 2. The program involves Rod spending half of his time working on his own writing projects and half working in the community.  He is planning to work in communities and schools within about one hour of Swift Current. "A major part of the program will be school visits," said Rod. "I'll talk a little about why I'm a writer and do an age-appropriate reading, usually from one of my novels." He also provides workshops that can range from 40 minutes to three days. "Among other things, we discuss the elements that go into making a good story."

Adult writers can also take advantage of Rod's residency. "I'll also be working with area writers' groups and meeting individually with writers to talk about their work."

He will also take advantage of technology to meet on-line with interested people. "I also want to increase awareness about other writer's work and the programs available in the province for those interested in writing."

Currently, Rod is working on a play called White River Junction and expects his novel The Crying Jesus to be released near the end of October. He already has three works of fiction and three plays to his credit.

He won the 1993 SaskatchewanWriters Guild Literary Award and Vicky Metcalf Short Story Award. In 1996 he received the Saskatchewan Book Award for Best Educational Book and in 1997 the CLA Young Adult Book of the Year.

This is Rod's third Writer-in-Residence experience. Previously, he has been a Writer-in-Residence in the Tisdale-Melfort area and Estevan.

Rod can be found at the Cypress Hills College Monday-Thursday from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:00a.mto 2:00 p.m. Phone: 773-5429; Fax:773-2384.; Email: rod.sharyn@sk.sympatico.ca

The Writer-In-Residence program is a partnership of groups including the Chinook Regional Library, Swift Current Library, Cypress Hills Regional College, S.C. School Division, S.C. Roman Catholic School Division, S.C. Allied Arts Council, Southwest Writers Project, S.C. Museum, Art Gallery NEC, Shortgrass Writers (S.C. group), Writers Unlimited (rural writers) and Writers In The Sky (cowboy poets). Funding support came from Saskatchewan Lotteries and the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

Librarians' Workshop The annual Branch Librarians Workshop on May 26 brought together 18 branch librarians, 9 assistants, and 4 local board members for a discussion of issues, operations and programs in the In the afternoon, an Internet training session in the Fairview School computer lab introduced participants to E-mail and the World Wide Web.

FLASHBACKS

25 Years Ago (1972)

-The Breeze colours - Ever wondered how The Breeze got its color scheme. First Regional Librarian John Rafter took credit and explained. "Red, I am told, is the colour of a hopeful heart and at Chinook we all have hope that we will grow and expand our services. Blue is simply the Chinook colour, and black shall remain the colour of our financial situation (we hope).

-Many a mile - The Bookmobile racked up about 20,000 miles between February and the end of its first year of operation.
 

20 Years Ago (1977)

-First public readings - With financial assistance from the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the Canada Council, Saskatchewan author Ken Mitchell was able to do readings in Swift Current, Tompkins, Maple Creek, Frontier, Cabri and Lafleche.
 

15 Years Ago (1982)

-March 31 - Headquarters staff helped move Simmie Branch into its new location.

-July 8 - In conjunction with the Provincial Library Summer Reading Program, Saskatchewan author Ken Mitchell and the Little Apple performed at the Swift Current Branch.
 

10 Years Ago (1987)

-June 8 - Students Andrew Caswell and Melanie Parchman began their second year as producers of the summer program called the Chinook Summer Players, which completed 61 performances for a total audience of 2,331 between June and August. (Program partly funded by Employment and Immigration Canada.)
 

5 Years Ago (1992)

-April 27 - 50th Anniversary program for the Saskatchewan Library Association (SLA) was held in the Regina Public Library, with Chinook being represented by board members Dorothy Saunderson (Vanguard), Elma Jahnke (Herbert) and Regional Librarian Michael Keaschuk.

July 8 - Mobile Paving completed the asphalt pad in front of Chinook Headquarters

July 13-17 - Tompkins storyteller Anne Slade visited 10 communities, in conjunction with the Summer Reading Program "A-MAZING."
 
 

NEW VAN Chinook's new Ford van, received on March 3, made its first block exchange stop in Abbey on March 11. Here John Carlson is busy unloading books.