Parkland Regional Library System

Libraries are here to help their communities! From learning to creating or just enjoying some time to read, Libraries are community hubs connecting people to information and other resources. Visit your local library and see what's in store for you today.

Happy #LibraryWorkersDay! To all those people who keep libraries running, who lend a hand in the #library and make our communities thrive - we salute you! #LibraryLove to all!

Parkland held our Gather Grow Give 2024 Conference last Monday and it was well attended, with great speakers, vendors, and sessions! Thanks to everyone who attended and all those who made this such a successful event!

This month features our 2024 Parkland #Conference - Gather, Grow, Give on September 23rd, where our member #libraries will gather to share and learn together. We look forward to seeing them!

To celebrate #September and #CanadianLibraryMonth in October, Parkland libraries are participating in a #LibraryCardSignUp contest, where everyone in the Parkland area has an opportunity to sign or renew their #LibraryCard for a chance to win Visa gift cards! We hope we'll see you at a Parkland library!

Have you ever wondered how Parkland Regional Library Helps Our Libraries? We share an infographic with you - and full description below! 1. IT Support - We buy electronic devices, ranging from desktop computers to wireless access points for our libraries. Additionally, we handle IT problem-solving tasks. 2. Access to an Integrated Library System (ILS) - We acquire licenses for the integrated library system used by library staff and for the online catalogue that patrons utilize to make requests. 3. Personalized Support - Our consultants provide library staff support with on-site visits, library council meetings, conferences, board -staff relations, space planning & more! 4. Marketing - We offer support to libraries in communicating and marketing their services to the public as well as to library boards and municipal councils. 5. Programming - We create programming, book club and technology kits for our member libraries to borrow to help run or enhance their programs. 6. Purchasing & Delivery - We help our libraries with centralized purchasing of collection materials, then processing and cataloguing the material and ensuring it is delivered to our libraries, ready to request.

There comes a time in every library's life when they must deselect (weed) materials. Archives store materials, but most public libraries were built to maintain collections for their community, and to keep their materials up-to-date and relevant for the needs of the people using the library. What criteria do libraries use to weed collections? Let's take a look! Reasons Items May Be Weeded from Libraries 1. Condition -The item is well-worn, damaged, or has become unusable. 2. Age - the older an item is, the less relevant or useful it is to users of the library, especially in regard to rapidly changing disciplines like law, science, health & medicine or computer science. 3. Usage - The item has not been checked out by library patrons recently, or it has remained unchecked out for an extended period. 4. Newer Editions - New editions on a topic may be released that are more suitable for the contemporary world. 5. Space Considerations - library shelves have limited space. It is necessary to make choices about which materials deserve a place on the shelves. 6. Electronic access - materials that were once exclusively available in print format are now accessible online, making the aging print versions candidates for weeding.

Last year, Canadian library #book #borrowers were visiting libraries online and in-person more than ever before! Their main reasons for visiting in person included: - Picking up holds (42%) - Browsing for books (33%) - Discovering new books, authors & illustrators (25%) - Studying, researching and working (18%) - Putting materials on hold (17%) Not only that, but 72% of books borrowed were print #books! That's a lot of books! Good thing Parkland libraries keep ordering more! Want more statistics on Canadian borrowers? Be sure to visit Booknet Canada! Need more books? Visit your #library!

If you're considering joining your library's board to support your local library, there are a few things you should consider, like these 5 tips for a better board! 1. Treat the position as a part-time, committed job 2. Know that fundraising & advocacy are part of the job 3. Know your role, be sure to take board orientation training 4. Establish effective board policies that are known by all members 5. Conduct annual evaluations to ensure an effective library board

#Summer is a great time for #SummerReading and programs like the library's TD Summer Reading Club! Joining with your local library for reading and activities is a great way to prevent the Summer Slide! Spending just 15 minutes of learning activities with your children can make a big difference! You can find out more suggestions for activities at ABC Life Literacy Canada here 👉 https://loom.ly/VslVSL4 And don't forget to visit your library and register for online reading fun with TD SRC!👉 https://loom.ly/jw7Ybj8