{"id":10384,"date":"2014-06-17T14:02:28","date_gmt":"2014-06-17T18:02:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/?p=10384"},"modified":"2014-06-17T14:02:51","modified_gmt":"2014-06-17T18:02:51","slug":"our-21st-century-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/our-21st-century-library\/","title":{"rendered":"Our 21st Century Library"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_10384\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"10384\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/www.visitsouthgeorgianbay.ca\/content\/image\/LibraryExterior.jpg\" alt=\"Collingwood Public Library\" \/><strong>In the 20-plus years I&#8217;ve been on the Collingwood Library board<\/strong>, I have watched the functions of the library and its role in the community evolve and change to keep pace with the needs and demands of its growing number of users. It&#8217;s been a remarkable, exciting journey.<\/p>\n<p>Of all our\u00a0civic institutions, I believe the library has best adapted to the new technologies and the changing community demographics. \u00a0In sheer numbers, it is our most popular, most well-used community facility.<\/p>\n<p>And the library continues to grow in popularity as visits, uses and borrowing expands\u00a0in leaps and bounds. From the <a title=\"2013 annual report\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ianchadwick.com\/blog%20pics\/library\/libraryannualreport_2013_FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Collingwood Public Library annual report<\/a> for 2013, presented to Council on Monday night here are a few statistics:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>190,121 patron visits (up 6%);<\/li>\n<li>283,467 items borrowed (up 3%);<\/li>\n<li>7,580 e-books borrowed (up 44%);<\/li>\n<li>5,095 program participants (up 26%);<\/li>\n<li>10,663 uses of library computer workstations (up 13%);<\/li>\n<li>13,746 uses of library Wifi network (up 34%);<\/li>\n<li>159,150 visits to library website (up 52%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Did you also know there are many free online courses available through the library&#8217;s website? All you need is your library card to take them. I signed up for Latin! Plus there are databases and online magazines you can read or use for research. And, of course, a large collection of movies on DVD, music on CD and even audiobooks you can check out.<\/p>\n<p>All of this is good news for the community:\u00a0it shows our library remains on the forefront of the technology wave; adapting and enhancing its services &#8211; thanks to terrific, dedicated staff and a supportive, active and engaged board. Plus\u00a0the library has\u00a0an excellent relationship with the town&#8217;s IT superb department to help make technical and technological decisions and upgrades easier and more efficient.<span style=\"color: red;\">*<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The growing community use in all aspects and areas of the library show how prescient the 2003-06 council was in approving (albeit not unanimously<span style=\"color: red;\">**<\/span>) a new, expanded, <a title=\"AMO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amo.on.ca\/AMO-Content\/News-Releases\/2010\/Collingwood-s-New-Library-and-Municipal-Offices-Re.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">award-winning<\/a>, LEEDS-gold-certified library &#8211; long overdue, too.<span style=\"color: red;\">***<\/span> According to Ministry standards, our library had outgrown its space around 1990. It took more than\u00a015 years to get a new building with enough space to accommodate the town&#8217;s growing population and the library&#8217;s own collection.<\/p>\n<p>A\u00a0\u00a0modern library is not simply a warehouse for books &#8211; themselves often but wrongly portrayed as an aging technology in the era of the e-reader. It is the\u00a0beating heart \u00a0of the community. As a page on the <a title=\"SOLS paper\" href=\"http:\/\/www.sols.org\/index.php\/develop-your-library-staff\/sols-publications\/guides\/168-develop-your-library-staff\/sols-publications\/miscellaneous-publications\/1141-the-21st-century-public-library\" target=\"_blank\">Southern Ontario Library Service<\/a> (SOLS) says about the public library:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Today it is a cornerstone of the community that benefits everyone. Residents of all ages rely on their public library to provide what they need to face the future with the resilience that comes from new knowledge, information, skills, and abilities.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The literacy map for Collingwood is reasonably\u00a0healthy. According to the <a title=\"CCL maps\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ccl-cca.ca\/cclflash\/proseliteracy\/map_ontario_e.html\" target=\"_blank\">Canadian Council on Learning<\/a>, we&#8217;re doing better than much of the country, and the library is one of the main reasons scores have improved over the last several years. But we can&#8217;t relax our vigil and take it for granted.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>In early 2009, a set of statements, called <a title=\"Darien Statements\" href=\"http:\/\/www.blyberg.net\/2009\/04\/03\/the-darien-statements-on-the-library-and-librarians\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Darien Statements on the Library and Librarians<\/a>, were laid out to explain the role of the modern library and these apply to our own Collingwood Library:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>The Purpose of the Library<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The purpose of the Library is to preserve the integrity of civilization.<\/p>\n<p>The Library has a moral obligation to adhere to its purpose despite social, economic, environmental, or political influences. The purpose of the Library will never change.<\/p>\n<p>The Library is infinite in its capacity to contain, connect and disseminate knowledge; librarians are human and ephemeral, therefore we must work together to ensure the Library\u2019s permanence.<\/p>\n<p>Individual libraries serve the mission of their parent institution or governing body, but the purpose of the Library overrides that mission when the two come into conflict.<\/p>\n<p>Why we do things will not change, but how we do them will.<\/p>\n<p>A clear understanding of the Library\u2019s purpose, its role, and the role of librarians is essential to the preservation of the Library.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Role of the Library<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Library:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Provides the opportunity for personal enlightenment.<\/li>\n<li>Encourages the love of learning.<\/li>\n<li>Empowers people to fulfill their civic duty.<\/li>\n<li>Facilitates human connections.<\/li>\n<li>Preserves and provides materials.<\/li>\n<li>Expands capacity for creative expression.<\/li>\n<li>Inspires and perpetuates hope.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The document ends with this call to citizen action &#8211; one tinged with a little sadness to think that anyone would not support or even be opposed to their\u00a0library:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>We have faith that the citizens of our communities will continue to fulfill their civic responsibility by preserving the Library.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a title=\"Detroit Library closed\" href=\"http:\/\/www.paragonality.com\/2011\/08\/24\/detroit-continues-to-retrench\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/paragonality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/expubliclibrary.jpg\" alt=\"Detroit Library\" width=\"300\" \/><\/a>But of course, not everyone appreciates a\u00a0library or feels that preserving it is their civic responsibility. Some see libraries as expendable, as &#8220;soft&#8221; services that can be safely reduced or even eliminated. The loss of a library can have a terrible impact on a community, as <a title=\"BBC\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/magazine-27795832\" target=\"_blank\">these stories<\/a> tell us. Is a library closing any easier to bear than a book burning? Both represent the shuttering of ideas, dreams and imagination. The closing of a library can also mirror the death of the community, as it has in Detroit, pictured left.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, most of our recent Collingwood councils have been supportive of our library and its growth. But not everyone shares their vision, not even everyone on council.<\/p>\n<p>Back in 2009, the former treasurer for the special interest group, VOTE, realtor (now candidate for council), <a title=\"Rick Crouch\" href=\"http:\/\/propertycollingwood.blogspot.ca\/2009\/12\/collingwood-debt-load-to-double-in-2010.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rick Crouch<\/a> wrote on his blog (criticizing the last council&#8217;s mounting debt which reached $45 million &#8211; $11 million of which has been paid down by this council, but that&#8217;s <a title=\"The Other Post on Debt\" href=\"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/collingwoods-municipal-debt-and-2014-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\">a topic for another post<\/a>):<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The new library at $6 million is the largest project mentioned up for debenture in 2010. Sure a new library would be nice but when you have the likes of &#8220;Google&#8221; currently in the process of digitizing every book ever written, it really makes you wonder if spending money on bricks and mortar to house books is the way to go. I know one thing is certain, if libraries in the past had been run as private enterprise profit centres, the threat of books no longer being required in traditional print for people to borrow would be causing the ACME Library Company (if one existed) to close their doors for good or at least to revise their business model to search out sources of revenue elsewhere.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Of course, as a fervent library supporter, and well aware of the overdue need for expansion, I had to respond <a title=\"Mumpsimus blog\" href=\"http:\/\/www.blueagaveforum.com\/forum\/index.php?\/blog\/1\/entry-767-misconceptions-about-libraries\/\" target=\"_blank\">on my own blog<\/a>. I replied:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Privatizing libraries is like privatizing health care. A seriously bad idea. Think the private sector can do better than the public sector? Think of Enron. Think of any of the many, poorly-managed, inept and corrupt financial corps and banks that caused the financial meltdown of 2008 (and are still trying to suck the life out of the recovery through massive, egregious salaries and bonus packages). Think of the American auto companies that had to be bailed out with tax dollars to keep from bankruptcy. Think of the private American health care system versus the public health care system here in Canada, or in the UK, Sweden or Cuba. The private sector doesn&#8217;t offer many exemplary role models for anything I&#8217;d want in a library.<\/p>\n<p>Libraries were created to expand literacy, learning and knowledge for the wider masses, for the public. Private libraries &#8211; they exist &#8211; offer the opposite: restricted access, limited use, fees for service, and are often tightly focused on particular topics, events, companies or individuals.<\/p>\n<p>Libraries are about broader learning. They are about sharing. They are about common goals and the greater good. Libraries are public institutions because literacy and learning are too important to slough off on some private agency, and expect that &#8211; like banks or auto companies &#8211; they will serve the public good rather than their own interests.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>But Rick wasn&#8217;t finished criticizing the library. In 2010, <a title=\"Rick Crouch\" href=\"http:\/\/propertycollingwood.blogspot.ca\/2010\/04\/collingwoods-new-library-now-open.html\" target=\"_blank\">he wrote again<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>This building came at a significant cost and there have been times when I questioned whether or not the municipality should be spending the money given the town&#8217;s increased debt. In this day and age of digital print media and devices such as Amazon&#8217;s &#8220;Kindle&#8221; and Apple&#8217;s new iPad, you really have to question the wisdom of spending millions on the bricks and mortar inventorying and delivery of reading materials.<br \/>\nEvery effort should be made to leverage this facility to its fullest extent the potential for which goes far beyond the loaning out of books.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>At the time, I <a title=\"Mumpsimus blog\" href=\"http:\/\/www.blueagaveforum.com\/forum\/index.php?\/blog\/1\/entry-798-kindle-and-ipad-instead-of-a-library-i-dont-think-so\/\" target=\"_blank\">wrote another rebuttal<\/a> about why e-readers and the internet would never replace a real library. Imagine trying to hang the Magic of Children&#8217;s Art on a Kindle! Or holding a service club meeting or the kids&#8217;s chess club meeting on an iPad. They may be wonderful conveniences, but e-readers are not socially interactive community spaces like libraries are. Nor do they fulfill any group-related role.<\/p>\n<p>Wise indeed the decision proved. The new library has shown itself\u00a0one of the town&#8217;s best investments.<\/p>\n<p>Libraries are not rendered useless by technology, but rather the technology creates new opportunities for libraries to fulfill and expand their mandate. As well as challenges, especially when trying to get funding. I wrote:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>It&#8217;s akin to asking why we still build family cars when we can have the Space Shuttle. Or why build a multi-use facility with ice rinks, swimming pool and gym when we can buy a Wii.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Although he was obviously unaware of the changes in our library these past 25-30 years, Rick&#8217;s comment about using (&#8220;leveraging&#8221;) the facilities for uses other than loaning books has long been accomplished. The library is an artspace with multiple gallery areas, a technology learning space (with a separate computer room for teaching), a community meeting and event space used by dozens of community artists, musicians, agencies, groups and organizations, a free space to surf the internet and connect on social media, a programming space that offers classes, activities and events for all ages.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a gathering place for parents and seniors, a research zone for local history and genealogy, and a space\u00a0to play chess or use a computer. It&#8217;s a safe place for children and young parents. And it&#8217;s been all of these things ever since I first arrived here, just moreso today.<\/p>\n<p>[youtube=https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fa6ERdxyYdo]<\/p>\n<p>The SOLS paper lists several important community functions of the modern library, all of which apply to the Collingwood Public Library, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Facilitates individual and community learning, building capacity to adapt to a changing world<\/li>\n<li>Enables participation by all in an increasingly digital economy<\/li>\n<li>Fosters creativity, widely endorsed as an essential life skill in the new economy<\/li>\n<li>Supports workforce readiness<\/li>\n<li>Engages the minds of an aging population, slowing cognitive decline<\/li>\n<li>Builds newcomers\u2019 capacity to be active and involved members of the community<\/li>\n<li>Provides crucial public space that supports community engagement and reduces social isolation<\/li>\n<li>Showcases and generates enthusiasm for local culture and identity<\/li>\n<li>Contributes to a community\u2019s appeal as a vibrant place to live.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Libraries in the 21st century fill many roles: cultural, social, sociological, psychological and intellectual. In an age where technology encourages illiteracy and the corrosion of\u00a0language, grammar and style, encourages pseudoscience and wild conspiracy theories, libraries are bastions of literacy, learning and knowledge.<\/p>\n<p>[youtube=https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Fd-n0TyemyM#t=10]<\/p>\n<p>An article by the <a title=\"MSLA\" href=\"http:\/\/manitobaschoollibraries.ca\/libraries-reinvent-themselves-for-the-21st-century\/\" target=\"_blank\">Manitoba School Library Association<\/a> noted,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>For cen\u00adturies, the defin\u00ading role of the library has been as a repos\u00adi\u00adtory of books. Now, in the 21st cen\u00adtury, the library faces per\u00adhaps its most momen\u00adtous chal\u00adlenge: Amer\u00adi\u00adcans are mov\u00ading away increas\u00adingly from the printed page to dig\u00adi\u00adtal screens for infor\u00adma\u00adtion and communication.<\/p>\n<p>Library lead\u00aders nation\u00adwide are adapt\u00ading to this shift by reimag\u00adin\u00ading the library as an engaged com\u00admu\u00adnity cen\u00adter. The role of librar\u00adi\u00adans is being re-branded to reflect their exper\u00adtise as con\u00adtent cura\u00adtors and trusted nav\u00adi\u00adga\u00adtors in an ever-expanding ocean of infor\u00adma\u00adtion \u2014 in what\u00adever for\u00admat it may exist.<\/p>\n<p>Core issues \u2014 includ\u00ading tech\u00adnol\u00adogy inte\u00adgra\u00adtion, new ser\u00advices, insti\u00adtu\u00adtional iden\u00adtity and right-sizing col\u00adlec\u00adtions&#8230; are under active review.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In the USA, the <a title=\"Madison Public Library\" href=\"http:\/\/mynewlibrary.org\/building-a-21st-century-library\" target=\"_blank\">Madison Public Library<\/a> summarized the changes most libraries have wrestled with these past two decades:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>In years past, libraries were mostly about books. But as demographics change and technology rapidly advances, the role of public libraries is evolving. Today&#8217;s modern libraries still feature books but also growing collections of digital media, such as eBooks, public computers, internet access and important online databases. The number of people who rely on the library for computers and internet access continues to grow.<\/p>\n<p>Libraries today are also serving like busy community centers. With scores of personal enrichment programs \u2013 from learning to knit to desktop publishing \u2013 they foster face-to-face dialogue, group learning programs and meeting spaces and social settings that support civic engagement and personal interaction.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>And similarly, in the UK, a publication called <a title=\"21st Century Libraries\" href=\"http:\/\/webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/20110118095356\/http:\/www.cabe.org.uk\/files\/21st-century-libraries.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">21st Century Libraries<\/a> noted:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The developing role of the library has created a set of new and complex challenges for those delivering library buildings and services. The libraries of the 21st century are no longer simply familiar repositories for books. They have changed and expanded, been rethought and redesigned. Libraries now provide an increasing range of different services, using a multitude of media, and reach a more diverse audience than ever before&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Not very long ago pundits were drafting the obituary of the public library. That act now seems premature. Today new libraries are springing up everywhere, in city centres, in ex-mining communities, in shopping malls and on large new residential estates&#8230; A familiar if ageing institution in both the rural and urban townscape appears to have bounced back with a vengeance.<\/p>\n<p>Ironically it has been the rise of information and communications technology (ICT) &#8211; thought by some to be about to pull the plug on the public library service &#8211; which has arrived just in time to save it. All of the new library buildings of the past decade in the UK are packed with computer terminals, technology suites, seminar rooms, and hot-desking email stations.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The report goes on to add:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The reason for the belief that library services do indeed have a future is simple. Now, and in the foreseeable future, people will need to upgrade their skills or learn new ones many times in the course of their working &#8211; and even domestic and recreational &#8211; lives. Education will no longer be a once and for all operation at the outset of life, but a continuous process of adaptation, self-development and vocational re-skilling that will go on until people are well into their eighties, and even beyond. Although such developments appear to further consolidate the increased individualisation of society, it is a form of individualism tempered by having historical roots\u00a0in self-improvement and the ideals of an educated democracy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>And what democracy would be considered educated without a library? A draft discussion paper about <a title=\"BC LIbraries\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bclibraries.ca\/home\/site-files\/21st%20Century%20Vision%20Oct-2010.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">future libraries in British Columbia<\/a> noted:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Libraries are essential to literacy, lifelong\u00a0learning and for self-directed personalized learning in British Columbia, and they will\u00a0continue\u00a0to\u00a0serve\u00a0everyone,\u00a0from\u00a0cradle\u00a0to\u00a0grave.\u00a0Libraries are highly flexible, responsive to the\u00a0specific information needs of their unique and diverse communities.<\/p>\n<p>Professional librarians\u00a0and\u00a0teacher librarians\u00a0are\u00a0skilled\u00a0information navigators, evaluators and literacy specialists, well positioned\u00a0to assist users in their quest for accessible, credible and vital\u00a0knowledge. They understand their clientele well \u2013 be those communities, schools, neighbourhoods or universities\u00a0\u2013 and guide and support their users through new forms of information; the\u00a0need for a navigator increases as formats and technologies proliferate.<\/p>\n<p>Libraries\u00a0are\u00a0community\u00a0hubs,\u00a0with\u00a0creative\u00a0spaces\u00a0suitable\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0individual\u00a0and collaborative activities, only one of which is\u00a0seeking and accessing information. Library spaces are more adaptable than ever before. Technology enables greater flexibility as physical collections\u00a0shrink\u00a0and\u00a0more\u00a0information\u00a0is\u00a0stored\u00a0online. Libraries offer relevant, creative, useful\u00a0and\u00a0flexible\u00a0spaces\u00a0in\u00a0which\u00a0local\u00a0populations\u00a0can\u00a0congregate,\u00a0interact\u00a0and create. Library\u00a0services\u00a0are\u00a0less\u00a0about\u00a0what\u00a0products\u00a0are\u00a0available\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0physical\u00a0building,\u00a0and more about the user\u2019s experience while visiting.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Fortunately for Collingwood&#8217;s residents, our library has been working through all of these challenges and finding people-friendly, technologically-savvy and relevant solutions. The statistics\u00a0show that our residents appreciate and are making use of our library&#8217;s resources in increasing numbers.<\/p>\n<p>We should be proud of our library, what it has accomplished and how well it has adapted to the changing, high-tech world.<\/p>\n<p><strong>~~~~~<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: red;\">*<\/span> In a <a title=\"Barrie Advance\" href=\"http:\/\/www.simcoe.com\/news-story\/2039879-library-comes-under-scrutiny-in-budget-debate\/\" target=\"_blank\">budget discussion in 2008<\/a>, I predicted the library use would grow exponentially &#8211; and\u00a0it did. We needed to provide space, staff and resources to manage\u00a0the increased demand on services. <a title=\"Enterprise Bulletin\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theenterprisebulletin.com\/2008\/12\/10\/town-budget-crunching-continues\" target=\"_blank\">Councillor Edwards<\/a> introduced a motion to instead reduce library services at that time, but it was defeated.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: red;\">**<\/span>\u00a0Astute readers will recall that Councillors Chris Carrier (later mayor and now mayoral candidate) and Mike Edwards voted against the library expansion when presented to council in 2006. Councillor Carrier, as I recall one early budget\u00a0discussion, once queried the former library CEO whether her statistics showing 300 people a day using the library were not simply 30 people each using it ten times a day.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: red;\">***<\/span> <a title=\"Simcoe.com\" href=\"http:\/\/www.simcoe.com\/news-story\/1993835-collingwood-officially-opens-library\/\" target=\"_blank\">Officially opened<\/a> in May, 2010. The original proposal for an expansion (not a new building; that came somewhat later in the discussion) was presented to Collingwood Council in <a title=\"Library expansion\" href=\"http:\/\/www.blueagaveforum.com\/forum\/index.php?\/topic\/689-library-expansion\/\" target=\"_blank\">May, 2005<\/a>\u00a0with a request for $75,000 for necessary architectural drawings. Councillor Chris Carrier voted against it, and later against the new building.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_10384\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"10384\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p>In the 20-plus years I&#8217;ve been on the Collingwood Library board, I have watched the functions of the library and its role in the community evolve and change to keep pace with the needs and demands of its growing number of users. It&#8217;s been a remarkable, exciting journey. Of all our\u00a0civic institutions, I believe the library has best adapted to the new technologies and the changing community demographics. \u00a0In sheer numbers, it is our most popular, most well-used community facility. And the library continues to grow in popularity as visits, uses and borrowing expands\u00a0in leaps and bounds. From the Collingwood \u2026&#8230;&#8230; click below for more \u2193<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4,213,10,281],"tags":[406,618,140,402,147],"class_list":["post-10384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-collingwood","category-culture-and-the-arts","category-municipal-politics","category-provincial-politics","tag-books-reviews","tag-collingwood","tag-council","tag-library","tag-reading"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":6672,"today_views":0},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10384"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10406,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10384\/revisions\/10406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}