Responding to Misconceptions Reasoned arguments for why libraries matter

Library transactions are dropping Yes, physical item circulation is dropping in the long term E-circ provides a counter balance (refer to Annual Report) Checkout stats are not the only measure of a library Programs Program attendance Services offered to the community ex) meeting space Computer and WiFi use Printing, faxing, scanning services Social factor and building community

There are too many libraries in SK Communities have the option to close their library anytime they want. That so many have a library indicates this is a service their residents want, despite another branch being nearby. SK has a widely dispersed and small population. To serve all these people across a wide geographic space there has to be many libraries SK population density is 1.8 per square kilometer. AB is 5.7 and MB is 2.2. SK has 160,000km of road surface (7km/resident). We understand it is not easy to bring services to all our residents. The population density per square kilometer in Saskatchewan is 1.8. Manitoba is 2.2 and Alberta is 5.7 Source: Statistics Canada http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=101&SR=1&S=10&O=A Source:     http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/common-questions/

There are too many libraries in SK Issue: SK has a ratio of 1 library for every 4000 people MB = 1:10,000 AB = 1:15,000 Facts: SK population = 1.1M MB population = 1.3M. Of which 705,000 live in Winnipeg AB population = 4.1M. Of which 1.2M live in Calgary Economy of scale: 54% of MB population is in Winnipeg, which is served by 20 library branches 1.2 million people of Calgary (more than entire province of SK) is served by 18 branches http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E

Numbers of library card holders has dropped New computer system database clean up of duplicate and old cards Institutional cards Parents’ use their cards for their children’s circulation Computer and WiFi does not necessarily require an active card in order to access these services Attending a program does not require an active card Using printer, faxing, scanning services does not require an active card Third party use of the library (ex. meeting space) does not require active cards

E-resources are taking over traditional library services E-resources are heavily used and important to our collections and offerings. E-resources would be our #1 branch in terms of circulation In Southeast, e-resources account for 18% of all circulation in 2016. Up from 17% in 2015. Remaining 82% is physical item circulation, particularly DVDs (30% of all circulation) E-books are at least as expensive to purchase as a print book, and sometimes have restrictions on their use License some titles ex) 1 year use Metered checkouts ex) 26 checkouts only See pages 19-20 of annual report

Couldn’t public and school libraries co-locate? Co-located or “integrated” libraries do exist and do function Carnduff, Maryfield, Oungre, Outlook, Warman, Nipawin, Tisdale Many PNLS libraries are integrated with the school to some degree Pro’s to co-location: Nice facilities Better open hours Higher circulation Higher staffing levels Municipality saves $ on building, utilities, insurance, etc.

Couldn’t public and school libraries co-locate? Issues to overcome in an integration project: Additional administration, training and supervision More levels of authority: School Division, School Board, SCC, Regional Library, Local Library Board, Principal, Library Branch Manager, Town Council, RM Council Integration of collection. Or no? Collection Development policies Filtering the internet. Or no? Supervision/security of school outside of class times. Summer vacation for example. Student suspensions Members of the public accessing school grounds Lock down or other emergency procedures Renovate the school library to expand capacity? Overdue charges Policy incompatibility ex) hand sanitizer

Shouldn’t public and school libraries co-locate? What model do we operate on? Carnduff and Nipawin: full integration Oungre: line in the sand Maryfield: autonomous public space within a school facility Outlook: shared space but no collection integration Warman and Tisdale: Community center

If in doubt, refer to your local library or to HQ