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Now that the Chinook Regional Library Headquarters and Swift Current Branch are automated, other branches are lining up to take advantage of the new technology. "In March, Maple Creek will start the process, Shaunavon is next and Leader will be close behind," said Regional Librarian Michael Keaschuk.
Once branch libraries have their hardware in place they can be connected into the Dynix software system to auto-mate all the circulation functions such as checking out books, placing holds on a title or producing overdue notices for delinquent borrowers.
BRANCHES INTERESTED
Several branches are presently arranging for the purchase of computers.
"Vanguard is using a CAP grant to purchase two computers," said Mr. Keaschuk.
"Herbert already has a computer and has a public terminal for Internet
access in use at its branch. They may be interested in joining the Dynix
system down the road."
ACQUISITIONS ON-LINE
In addition to making it easier and more
efficient for branch staff to track overdue books and determine which parts
of the branch's collection get the most use, the computers are making Headquarters
more efficient, too.
As of March 1,1998, the acquisitions system will be on line. "This should speed up the process," said Mr. Keaschuk. "It will also improve interlibrary loan searches because the order slips and interlibrary loan systems will be connected."
This means that staff will only have to search one place, rather than several, to locate requested material. "We are looking forward to this because it will help us keep better track of several aspects of our job."
FULL-TEXT DATABASE
Thanks to automation, library patrons may have access to a full text
database as early as this spring."This is quite exciting," said Mr. Keaschuk.
"We are working with a consortium of provincial libraries to purchase a
provincial license." This will enable public libraries to provide access
at no cost to the branches.
The database will provide full-text from current and past issues of hundreds of magazines and journals, which can be read on-line or printed out. The database will provide patrons with current information at the tip of their fingers.
"This is a big leap forward for information resources," he said "The database is credible and properly indexed as well as easy and affordable to use." If the Library had to try to buy all this material in paper form, it could not come anywhere close to matching what this resource can provide. "This is going to make research, whether for school projects or personal interest, much easier and faster," he said.
It will also reduce the number of interlibrary loans needed. "People
can have the information they need in half an hour instead of two weeks.
As funding gets tighter and libraries are able to purchase fewer paper
copies of things, technology is actually broadening the range and variety
of services libraries can provide."
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The library of the future will look very different from the library of the past!
"In the distant past we had only books, and, more recently, we've added films, books on tape and videos," said Mr. Keaschuk.
Today libraries are endeavouring to provide information to their patrons in many different forms.
To take maximum advantage of ever improving information technologies- libraries are working more closely together than they have before. "We are pooling our resources to get more for our patrons," he said. "It's more expensive to work independently, so we are working cooperatively to provide the best value for our investments."
Libraries are working together to provide patrons everywhere with access to the complete collections of all Saskatchewan libraries. They are also co-operating to ensure that residents of this province, rural and urban, have access to full-text databases. "With the information explosion we are trying to provide affordable access to as much information as possible for our patrons," he said.
The world of information is changing faster than most people believed possible. "Five years ago, we were looking at CD-ROMs and thought they would be great. We were aware of their limitations, but they were a great resource at that time. However, like books, their information may be out-of-date before they are even printed." Now Internet connections and full-text databases will enable libraries to provide the most current information possible.
"This is a wonderfully exciting time to be part of the library system."
Regional Library Agreement and Municipal Bylaw
Municipalities that have not signed the Regional Library Agreement by January 1, 1998 are not eligible to appoint a representative to the regional board. However, the municipality is still a member of the region and is obligated to pay the annual levy as determined by the board.
As of February 20,1998, the following municipalities have not signed the Regional Library Agreement.
| RMs:
Waverley #44 Maple Creek #111 Bone Creek #108 Villages:
The following municipalities have not paid their levy. RMs:
Villages:
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Chinook Regional Library wants its trustees to help spread the good word about the variety of ways patrons can access library services. "We have implemented several new ways to provide service and now our job is to get the message out to patrons," said Michael Keaschuk.
The new services increase the tools patrons have to get the material they want and need. They will also increase the speed with which rural patrons get their material. "Now people don't even have to go to the library to take advantage of our services."
CHINOOK READER REQUEST LINE
The toll-free Chinook Reader Request Line is the first 24-hour library service in the province. Patrons can call 1-888-275-8844 to reach the Chinook's telephone mailbox service.
Leave as much information as possible about the material being requested, including author, title, series, subject, date needed by, age level of material requested (easy, juvenile, adult) and your complete mailing address and phone number. "The more information we get, the sooner your request can be filled," said Mr. Keaschuk.
For residents who are not long distance from Swift Current please call 773-5564 to access the Request Line.
INTERNET ACCESS
Requests can also be faxed to Headquarters at (306) 773-0434.
In both cases, be sure to provide as much information as possible about the book or material requested.
HEADQUARTERS STAFF
Since time immemorial, people on the great plains of North America have shared a place, a climate, and a way of life. They learned the necessity of working together to achieve common ends in a challenging environment. In this time of globalization, people are coming together again, across artificial boundaries, to share knowledge and understanding at the dawn of a new century.
"Rebuilding Prairie Life" is the theme for the 1998 Joint Prairie Library Conference, which brings together the libraries in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and North Dakota. This is not the first time that libraries have joined across borders, but it is the first time they have come together in what promises to be a unique and stimulating conference.
TOPICS
The main focus of the conference is technological, with many of the
sessions linking technology to the social issues that technology creates
or affects - such as the impact of the Internet on rural libraries and
its relevance to prairie life or the importance of public space on the
Internet.
There is also an emphasis on the concerns of rural libraries and libraries in small prairie centres - such as the role of the library and its trustees or alternatives in information delivery (not all of which are technological).
Other sessions deal with cultivating philanthropy in rural areas, agriculture information on the World Wide Web; marketing library services to businesses and sustainable community networks.
Keynote addresses are:
Electronic Access to information
| To date, 14 communities across the southwest have established Corner Libraries, which are housed in existing community locations. Because these locations are open for other reasons, communities are receiving more hours of service from their new Corner Libraries than could previously be provided by the Bookmobile. "Corner Libraries can be open several days a week instead of only the few hours a month provided by the Bookmobile," said Mr. Keaschuk. |
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The Bracken Corner Library is in a coffee shop. "The coffee shop is a great place for the library," said Ms Wiens. "People enjoy it!"
The Chinook Regional Library is working very hard to make this new service viable and useful for rural patrons. "We know the importance of library service to our rural patrons and are pleased that Corner Libraries are working well in several communities," said Mr. Keaschuk.
The Regional Library provides between 500 and 700 paperback books per
Corner Library and the collection is exchanged throughout the year. "The
Corner Library is not intended to be a complete library service, but rather
a local resource for recreational reading."
April 4 - Chinook Regional Library Annual Meeting at Headquarters
May 7-9 - Joint Prairie Library Conference in Regina
July-August - Summer Reading Program. The theme is "Treasures
Abound ... At Your Library."
- Government operating grants increased from $1 .20 per capita in 1972
to $1.50 in 1973.
- Chinook Regional Library served 85% of the region's population with
25 branch libraries, 3 book deposits and 25 bookmobile stops.
- Interlibrary loans doubled over 1972 levels.
- New branches in Tompkins and Chaplin as well as book deposits in
Piapot and Simmie were opened.
20 Years Ago (1978)
- The RMs of Swift Current #137, Deer Forks #232 Happyland #231 and
the town of Burstall joined the Chinook Regional Library system.
- By the end of the year the Regional Library serviced 90% of the region's
population.
- Phoebe Bunnell of Swift Current received a merit award from the Canadian
Library Trustees' Assoc. for her efforts in promoting library service.
She helped organize the Saskatchewan Library Trustees Assoc. and served
as its first secretary treasurer. She also served on the Library Development
Board and the Swift Current Library Board.
- 60 years of library service in Swift Current was recognized in May.
The Swift Current Library Board held its organization meeting on March
12,1918 and the Reading Room opened in City Hall on May 14,1918.
15 Years Ago (1983)
- March 22 - Fox Valley, Gull Lake, Tompkins and Piapot received
their first microfiche readers. By the end of the year, 22 of the 37 branches
had microfiche readers.
- April 27 - Val Marie Branch moved to larger, more attractive quarters.
- May 18 - First edition of the Region's annual catalogue on microfiche
was received and distributed. The 7 sheets of microfiche comprised 7,748
titles with 26,517 entries.
- Bookmobile circulation was 53,121 (Up from 28,978 in1981).
- Liebenthal and Bateman Bookmobile stops were extended from seasonal
to year-round stops.
10 Years Ago (1988)
- April 22 - In honour of the National Book Festival, Swift Current Branch
sponsored an Edible Canadian Literature Contest.
-May 1 - The 70th Anniversary of the Swift Current Branch was celebrated
with readings by Writer-in Residence Rick Hillis.
June 3 - Visually impaired Canadian author Jean Little spoke at the
Swift Current Branch in recognition of National Access Awareness Week.
5 Years Ago (1993)
- January 3 - Hours
of service increased from 56 to 64 hours per week at the Swift Current
Branch.
- February 2 - Tompkins Library celebrated its 20th Anniversary
- March 10 - Regional Librarian and members of the Herbert Library
Board viewed their new library facility, in the former Bank of Montreal
building, and considered interior plans.
- June 4 - The annual used booksale at the Wheatland Mall collected
$2,546.75.
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