With the expansion into the lower level now complete and a new name — the Nelson Public Library — to reflect greater involvement with outlying rural communities, the doors of the library have opened to a new era and many new possibilities.
“The renovations to the library allow us to better serve the growing number of residents who use our facility,” explained June Stockdale, chief librarian.
“Memberships from regional district Areas F and H south have increased by more than 60 per cent since January, when universal access to library service became available for them.”
There is more going on than just a change in name and look. The library is also working with its partners and interested residents to create a strategic plan for how it can best meet the diverse needs of our communities over the next five years.
“It is widely recognized that having access to high quality information is essential to participate in an information-based economy, yet many are feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of doing so,” says Stockdale.
“We are having wonderful discussions about how the library can support people to access and navigate the emerging worlds of information and technology.”
All residents are invited to provide input into future library services by completing a community survey, which can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/s/NPL_Community_Survey or via the library’s website at http://nelsonlibrary.ca.
Paper copies of the survey are also available at the library until mid-May.
The draft strategic plan will be available for public review and comment later this spring.