Yukon Public Libraries

Community Development Branch, Department of Community Services

Annual Report
Provincial and Territorial Library Directors Council (PTLDC)
2003 - 2004

PTLDC Annual Reports Index

Mandate

The mandate of Yukon Public Libraries is to co-ordinate public library services throughout Yukon. Public Libraries:

• Administers public libraries legislation and provides consultative advice, training and expert assistance to community library boards and their staff;
• Provides direct and indirect financial and other support to 14 community library boards to enable them to operate community libraries throughout Yukon;
• Facilitates the Whitehorse Public Library Board;
• Operates Whitehorse Public Library as a central library and resource centre;
• Manages the Yukon Public Libraries library automation system;
• Plans for and implements new technologies and initiatives;
• Promotes co-operation and resource sharing among Yukon Public Libraries and with Yukon and other libraries;
• Works on behalf of public libraries with government and the private sector; and
• Provides leadership at territorial and national levels on issues relating to public libraries.

Legislation

In Yukon, the Public Libraries Act, 1987, and attached Regulations, 1988, establish a central library in Whitehorse, and describe the powers and duties of community library boards and volunteer branch libraries. Library Privileges and Fees Regulations, 1987, are appended to the Financial Administration Act.

Revisions to the legislation have been requested as part of the department's overall legislative review. However, any changes to library legislation are a low priority on the legislative agenda until the completion of changes resulting from the recent major re-organisation of the Government of Yukon and the devolution of the Northern Affairs Program from the federal to the territorial level. It is hoped that changes to library fees and fines will go forward at an earlier date in order to bring them in line with current requirements.

Structure

From April 1, 2002 to May 22, 2004, Public Libraries was assigned to the Service Yukon Branch of the Department of Community Services. Changing priorities following the 2002 territorial election resulted in the disbanding of the Service Yukon Branch and the assignment of Public Libraries to the Community Development Branch along with Land Development, Engineering, Community Land Planning, Property Taxation & Assessment, Governance Local Administration, and Sport and Recreation. This change became effective May 23, 2004 and we look forward to getting to know a different branch of government that has parallel responsibilities at the community level.

Grants/ Finances

Public Libraries provides funding to community library boards through contribution agreements to enable them to hire and pay staff to operate community libraries. Funding has been historically provided using a population-based formula to calculate opening hours for community libraries. In 2002, additional hours were added to the base for some community libraries to reflect increased community use.

Contribution agreements for 2004/2005 total $330,000. In addition, Public Libraries provide collections, supplies, furnishings, and equipment, computers, Internet access and space to community libraries. Centralised cataloguing, distribution, interlibrary loans, reference services, programming, and promotion assist in maintaining the Yukon Public Libraries system.

Public Libraries Administration and Whitehorse Public Library are line items in the Department of Community Services with O&M funding of $1.575m for 2004/2005 (including the contribution agreements described above).

Programmes And Services

• Network of central library and 14 community libraries provides public library access throughout Yukon. 99% of population is directly reached through local library service.
• Special collections include Northern materials, literacy, large print, CNIB, and talking books.
• Services include public computer and Internet access, adaptive computer for the disabled, audio-visual hardware rental service and public meeting rooms.
• Programmes include storytimes, school visits, exam proctoring and programmes for all ages.

Activities - Network And Automation

• High-speed Internet access was implemented in most Yukon Public Libraries in 2003/2004 as a part of the Connect Yukon initiative. In locations not yet included in Connect Yukon, alternate access is provided where available.
• An upgrade to the library automation system, Library.Solution is also planned in 2004/2005. Automated circulation in the largest community libraries will be provided as part of this process.

Activities - Literary Programmes

• Writer in Residence - 2004 will mark the 12th writer in residence for Yukon Public Libraries. Robert Majzels will join us in late August for a 4-month residency. This programme is possible through matching funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. We are delighted to have maintained this programme over the years despite budget difficulties. The Writer in Residence is very popular with the Yukon public who otherwise have limited opportunities to consult with established writers, and the programme has led to the production of an incredible array of books, articles and periodicals by Yukoners.
• The semi-annual Writers Summit sponsored by Public Libraries brings together potential and published writers to discuss issues of mutual concern and is an outgrowth of the Writer in Residence Programme.
• The Literary Readings programme, co-funded with the Canada Council for the Arts, brings Yukon people in contact with writers from across the country. Annabel Lyon joined us for the 2003 Yukon Writers Festival and Don McKay collaborated with local musicians to provide another event in our popular "Poetry Meets Jazz" series.
• The Yukon Writers Festival, Live Words, takes place each spring with events in Whitehorse and some communities. The 2004 festival included authors Yann Martel, Wayne Grady, Laisha Rosnau, Frank Clifford, Merilyn Simonds and Greg MacArthur. Capacity audiences greeted this all-star line-up. The writers participated in public readings and workshops, a literary cabaret in Haines Junction and the Young Authors' Conference for high school students throughout Yukon.
• Literacy - Public Libraries partners with Yukon Learn and the Yukon Literacy Coalition to promote literacy initiatives in Yukon Public Libraries, including Family Literacy Day. The first annual Yukon Writing Competition, Write Up North 2003, encouraged some 229 entries, from people aged 8 to 80 who entered fiction, legends and poetry at 3 different age levels. Substantial prizes and promotional events assisted with the success of the event.
• Summer Reading Programme - With the assistance of the BC Library Association Public Libraries traditionally provides materials to community libraries for summer reading programmes. In 2003, an Otherworlds theme provided the foundation for a variety of interactive programmes for school-aged children. This summer, Yukon Public Libraries are participating in the national summer reading programme co-ordinated by the National Library of Canada. Great interest is already being shown in the dragons theme and we anticipate a successful programme.
• The Berton House Retreat is a highly coveted opportunity for mid-career Canadian writers to spend two months in retreat at the Berton House, Pierre Berton's childhood home in historic Dawson City. This year's residents include Bryan McKillop, Eric Wilson, Larry Frolick and Charles Wilkins. The Dawson City Library Board act as the local hosts and Public Libraries participates on the organising committee. Library readings in Dawson City and Whitehorse enable the public to benefit from these writers' experience.
• Book Club Kits assist local book groups in finding selections for group discussions. One group started out as a senior's programme sponsored by the City of Whitehorse and has now devolved into a library programme.
• Children's storytime kits are themed for different age groups and interests and provide resource materials for community libraries.

New And Forthcoming Initiatives

• Friends of the Whitehorse Library (FOWL) was inaugurated this year as an offshoot of the Whitehorse Public Library Board in order to participate in community initiatives and assist with library programmes. The group's registered charity status will benefit its fund-raising abilities.

Web Links

• Yukon Public Libraries web page:
  www.community.gov.yk.ca/
• Yukon Libraries Public Access Catalogue:
  www.community.gov.yk.ca/index.html

Statistics (2003/2004)

• Yukon Population 30,255: Whitehorse Public Library serves 22,425 people directly and circulated 123,885 items; 14 community libraries serve 7,709 people (in communities with populations from 57 up to 1788) and circulated 53,199 items.
• 10,071 items were processed and 11,044 items were distributed to Whitehorse and community libraries.
• 241,698 people visited Whitehorse Public Library. 2,800 people attended programmes in Whitehorse and 6,462 did the same in community libraries.
• 28,341 reference questions were answered throughout Yukon Public Libraries, and 1,081 requests for material outside the Yukon were filled.
• 20,412 people booked Internet sessions in Whitehorse Public Library, and 30,962 used the Internet in 14 community libraries.

PTLDC Annual Reports Index