Powell River Public Library celebrates one year in its new space on Alberni Street on July 3. Since the move, the library has experienced a huge increase in community involvement and usage of its services, according to chief librarian Rebecca Burbank.
Between January 1 and May 31, 2018, there were 16,000 more in-person visits to the library compared to the same time period in 2017, she said. Daily visits are up 40 per cent each month and attendance at library programs is up by 63 per cent.
“We had 1,900 new card registrations in 2017,” she added. “In 2016, we had 900.”
The growth is rewarding to see as it indicates the library's new space was needed in the community, said Burbank. The engagement from members of the community of all ages is especially exciting, she added.
“I’ve been thrilled by the increase of use we’ve had with kids and families,” said Burbank. “You can really feel the difference now that we actually have dedicated spaces for children and teens.”
Not only has the library become a community hub, the services it provides are vital to early learning, she added.
“We see families coming in and just relaxing and enjoying themselves, and that’s nice on a day-to-day level, but it also means you have kids building pre-literacy and early literacy skills. That has such an impact on people’s lives.”
One-year celebrations will include a percussive parade with children from the summer reading club and the Powell River Women’s Punk Rock Choir, as well as a performance from a visiting choir participating in the International Choral Kathaumixw festival that week.
Both these shows are slated to take place in the early afternoon.
