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PROVINCIAL LIBRARY GRANTS REPORT 2015VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

INTRODUCTION

The Vancouver Public Library (VPL) contributes to the vision of an informed, engaged and connected city by providing free places for everyone to discover, create, and share ideas and information.

VPL serves over 432,355 active card holders at 22 branches across the city, and online at vpl.ca. We provide everyone in Vancouver with free access to information in digital and physical forms including: books; magazines; periodicals; databases; music; movies; training courses; and programs. We also provide everyone in Vancouver with free access to the tools they need to learn and exchange ideas including: wifi; tablets; computers; digital recording studios; flexible learning spaces, and meeting spaces. We are the last, free, indoor public space in the city, where everyone is welcome to gather, stay, learn, connect, and share ideas and information.

Our services are popular and well used by the community. In 2015 VPL recorded 6.8 million visits in person, and an additional 5.1 million visits to vpl.ca. Patrons borrowed nearly 9 million digital and physical items, sought help from our staff to answer over 767 thousand research questions, and attended our learning programs 111 thousand times.

2015 was another productive year for VPL as we continued to deliver out on our 2013-2015 Strategic Plan. In support of our strategy, this year we: expanded access to digital services and tools by opening our innovative Inspiration Lab; broke ground on a new physical branch in a community with a large, underserved, population; and celebrated the 20th anniversary of our award-winning Central Library by planning the build-out of two new floors in the facility. Looking forward, 2016 is a strategic planning year for VPL. We are using the results from 2015 and our vision for the future to map out the next wave of evolution for public library service through our 2017-2019 Strategic Plan.

While we plan for the future, we continue to deliver today. Key areas of VPL’s current strategic plan include: New, re-energized and expanded community spaces – including dynamic collaboration zones, and high-

tech creation spaces Extensive offering of free programs to enhance digital literacy for under-represented residents Enhanced opportunities through extensive community outreach to connect, learn and contribute to the

lifelong learning, reading and information needs of the residents of Vancouver

More information about the Vancouver Public Library 2013-2015 Strategic Plan can be found at: http://www.vpl.ca/about/details/vpls 2013-2015 strategic plan

The Strategic Plan is translated into a series of initiatives which are documented in an Operating Plan presented to the Library Board each year. More information about VPL’s 2015 Operating Plan can be found at: http://www.vpl.ca/images/uploads/file/pdf/Tab_8_-_2015_Operational_Plan.pdf

Transparency in reporting is achieved through quarterly update reports to the Vancouver Public Library Board on strategic plan progress and through our annual Operating Report which is available to the public on our website at: http://www.vpl.ca/about/details/vpl_annual_operating_report

This report highlights a few exemplary projects that VPL delivered in 2015.

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http://www.vpl.ca/about/details/vpl_annual_operating_report

http://www.vpl.ca/images/uploads/file/pdf/Tab_8_-_2015_Operational_Plan.pdf

http://www.vpl.ca/about/cat/C790

GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES, GOALS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, PARTNERSHIPS

GOVERNMENT PRIORITY 1

A focus on equitable access to library services for all British Columbians, including efforts to extend library service to under-represented populations (ex. Aboriginal, print disabled, and immigrants)

Library Goals that support the priority:

1. VPL Strategic Plan Foundational Element: “Comprehensive network of physical and virtual branches”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan Initiative: “Proceed with plans to develop the n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch.” (In ə́Vancouver’s Strathcona, Downtown Eastside, and Chinatown neighbourhoods.)

Related project highlighted below: “Community librarian outreach for new n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona branch”ə́

2. VPL Strategic Plan Goal: “Implement more flexible, patron-centered service models to inspire and support a community of learning and a culture of reading.”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan Initiative: “Improve access to library services for under-served communities.”

Related project highlighted below: Community Inspiration Pass

Programs and/or Services that align with the priority:

1. Community librarian outreach for new n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona branch ə́

VPL is building the first full-service branch (the n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch) in an area of the city with an ə́underserved population. In support of this work, in 2015, VPL created a temporary community librarian position, with the goal of establishing and building upon connections within the community. The community librarian acted as a single point of contact for community outreach and requests. The new branch is a joint facility, co-located with the YWCA Metro Vancouver, who will host a family community space and provide safe, affordable housing for low-income single mothers in the upper floors. The name - n c̓aʔmat ctə́ Strathcona branch - encompasses the idea of ‘we are one’ in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Musqueam) language. It is the first major civic building in Vancouver to have an official Aboriginal name.

The new branch will be located in the Strathcona/Downtown Eastside/Chinatown neighbourhoods of Vancouver, a historic, diverse and predominantly low-income area that currently does not have a full service branch. The community librarian position allowed for active community engagement, something welcomed by the community who are very excited that VPL is expanding the service in the area. The library will include a small digital media lab with some of the same equipment currently available at the Central Library.

In collaboration with other VPL staff working in nearby branches, the community librarian contacted close to 40 organizations in four neighbourhoods, received responses from 35 and had conversations with 31 organizations within the time period. Even though the n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch has been on the news and the project site ə́is signed and visible, those people contacted who already knew about the project did not know the details and hadn't previously been given an opportunity to give feedback or opinions. Further, despite active community engagement from nearby branch staff, there were still many organizations in the area that VPL had never worked with before (e.g. Playwrights Theatre Centre, Positive Living Society, Watari Latin American Outreach) and others

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with which VPL had previously had connections but not in recent years (e.g. Aboriginal Shelter, Neighbourhood Housing Society, Vancouver Mental Health). All of these organizations are interested in working with VPL thanks to the outreach efforts of the community librarian.

Community-led collection development for the branch collection was conducted and specifically targeted organizations and individuals in the Aboriginal, Chinese, Spanish and youth communities. Suggestions from the Spanish community were used to revitalize the Spanish collection for the entire VPL system. Local community members also emphasized that as the branch is located in a historic area of Vancouver, they were eager to have the branch provide a collection related to the history, news and art of the area for both locals and visitors.

The success of the community librarian position in engaging with the neighbourhood will continue with a permanent position now established for the branch when it opens in the fall of 2016, with rich possibilities for connecting, partnering and working with the community organizations and members.

2. Community Inspiration Pass

The Vancouver Inspiration Pass (VIP) program is a key exemplar of one of VPL’s core values: access for all. The program, launched in November 2012, provides admission to Vancouver-area recreational, science/nature, and cultural venues. The Pass has proven to be popular. An external evaluation done by Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC ) in 2014 determined that VIP program goals were achieved. However, SPARC BC noted that feedback indicated the pass was not reaching all community members, specifically low-income families and youth, and recommended that this be remedied.

In response to this recommendation, in 2015 VPL launched the Community Inspiration Pass Program, a six month pilot project working with community organizations to increase low income families and youth’s access to the pass. 40 passes were earmarked to be used exclusively by clients of selected community organizations working with the target audience. During the pilot project, 182 passes were used, participants became familiar with VPL’s services, and the number of library cards issued to participants and their family increased. An evaluation of how well the Community Inspiration Pass model was achieving its goal of getting the pass to the targeted groups was undertaken during the pilot period, and results are being used to fine-tune the program.

Participants enjoyed using the passes and were very excited to receive them. Overall, they were very appreciative of the opportunity to access venues that were often unaffordable to them. One partner organization runs a recovery house for women who are in the first stages of recovery and taking their first steps out of detox. The passes are used by the women both with their families and other women at the house. One participant wrote about her visit to the Vancouver Aquarium, stating that “it was the perfect way to spend my first real day in recovery.” Another woman wrote: “I have not felt these feelings of awe and excitement in a long time. It reminded me that I can still have fun in sobriety.”

Partnerships that support the priority


The community librarian for the new n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona branch connected with close to 40 community ə́organizations in Strathcona and the Downtown Eastside (DTES), including organizations serving the Aboriginal community, families, DTES/Strathcona residents, DTES advocacy organizations, business groups, community centres and neighbourhood houses. The new n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona branch is co-located with a family ə́community space and affordable housing for single mothers run by the YWCA Metro Vancouver.

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For the Community Inspiration Pass, VPL collaborates with an extensive network of community partners to provide admission to Vancouver area recreational, science/nature, and cultural venues including performing arts performances. Venues include:

Beaty Biodiversity Museum Bloedel Conservatory Chinese Canadian Military Museum Chinese Cultural Centre Museum Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Goh Ballet H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Maison Musée Roedde/Roedde House Museum Maplewood Farm Museum of Vancouver Nitobe Memorial Garden Science World UBC Botanical Garden UBC Museum of Anthropology Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver Art Gallery Vancouver Bach Choir Vancouver Maritime Museum Vancouver Opera Vancouver Park Board facilities Vancouver Police Museum Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir VanDusen Botanical Garden

The following community organizations also played a key role in the program: Aboriginal Mother Centre Society and Daycare Aboriginal Policing Centre Britannia Teen Centre Neighbourhood Inner City Community Services Society RayCam Community Co-op Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Program Salvation Army - Belkin House Collingwood Neighbourhood House Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House Hastings Community Centre Qmunity - youth group Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House Chrysalis PLEA Community Services Broadway Youth Resource Centre South Vancouver Youth Centre Strathcona Community Centre

Outcomes that were identified:

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The following are the outcomes identified with the librarian outreach for new n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona branch: ə́ The community librarian built upon connections in the community in general, and in specific communities

such as the Aboriginal community and appropriate language communities (primarily Cantonese and Spanish-speaking). Based on the success of the temporary position, a permanent community librarian position will be created in 2016 to support the area.

Helped to establish library services in under-served communities The program created a community organization database and map Overall it raised awareness in the community about the new branch, implemented active community

engagement, getting feedback directly from users and staff of neighbouring community organizations


The following are the outcomes identified with the Community Inspiration Pass program: Successfully addressed a key recommendation from the 2014 evaluation of the original Vancouver Inspiration

Pass program to increase access to low income families and youth through a flexible and targeted new model. Worked with 18 organizations serving low income families and youth and VPL staff at many branches to

create, implement and evaluate this pilot model leading to a series of recommendations that will be implemented in 2016 to enhance the effectiveness of the model.

Increased access to the Pass to target groups Strengthened relationships between community organizations and the library.


Increased supports for education transformation. Libraries, as key partners providing supports to students and parents outside of the classroom, should continue organizing and collaborating on community-based, personalized learning opportunities for all learners which allows them to realize their full potential in reaching personal goals.

Library Goals that support the priority

1. VPL Strategic Plan Goal: “Expand the Library’s commitment to children, teens, and families so that all are inspired by diverse opportunities for learning, creativity, and community engagement.”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan initiative: “Develop services for children ages 0-6 with increased focus on education and support for parents, caregivers and early childhood educators.”

Related project highlighted below: “Tablet Tales”

2. VPL Strategic Plan Goal: “Expand the Library’s commitment to children, teens, and families so that all are inspired by diverse opportunities for learning, creativity, and community engagement.”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan initiative: “Expand services for middle-years children (ages 7-12) in a broad range of library, school and community settings, with a focus on education and support for parents, caregivers and educators.”

Related project highlighted below: “Digital Programming for School Aged Kids”

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3. VPL Strategic Plan Goal: “Offer a suite of resources, tools, and services to support the creativity and imagination of Vancouver residents.”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan Initiative: “Implement services and tools to preserve, curate and discover Vancouver stories through community digital projects.”

Related project highlighted below: Inclusive Storytime Programs

Programs and/or Services that align with the priority

1. Tablet Tales

Launched in 2015, Tablet Tales is a new storytime program for caregivers and their young children. This program includes traditional songs, rhymes and stories, along with digital literacy elements and time for families to play with tablets (iPads) together. To support the Library's goal of fostering the development of digital literacy skills, staff demonstrated tablet apps and provided caregivers with tips on choosing and using apps with their children. Tablet Tales was delivered in a si-program series that was attended by 157 people at the Central Library. Tablet Tales incorporated the following themes in the fall 2015 program series:

Farm Animals Scary Things Hibernation Cities/Construction Counting/Numbers Vehicles/Transportation

Some of the key digital literacy messages for participants included:

Digital devices and apps can support a child’s learning, creativity and development. Parents and caregivers have an important role to play as their child’s media mentors.

Choose apps that let children engage, explore, express, and imagine. For example, select an app that lets a child create their own music, rather than playing pre-recorded songs.

Use the app together and then relate the activities from the app to real-life experiences. For example, if you are going to a doctor’s appointment, look for an app that relates to experiences at a doctor’s office.

Choose apps that will be interesting to your child and that are within their abilities. For example, if a child is interested in tigers, watch videos of wild tigers, find an app story about a tiger, and draw pictures of tigers together.

During the sessions, caregivers spent quality time engaging with their children and the iPads. The librarians spent time with each family, talking to them about why each app had been selected, how to make this kind of play interactive, and sharing key digital literacy messages. After the sessions, one parent remarked “I used to feel guilty using my iPad… now I don’t feel that way and I can have good use of it.”

2. Digital Programming for School Aged Kids (ages 7-12)

Recognizing the importance of engaging with digital technology in non-formal learning environments and the potential of technology to excite and inspire kids with creative learning opportunities, the Library provided 50 digital literacy programs for kids ages 8 to 12 in 2015. 724 kids attended these programs across most of VPL’s 22 branches. Providing exciting engagement with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities, topics included:

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Coding for Kids, where kids learned how to code using some of the latest apps Crazy Cartoons: Art on the iPad, where kids first drew with paper and ink and then on their iPads Programming with Raspberry Pi Microcomputers, where kids, including those at the beginner level,

learned how to build their own computers, code and build software with Raspberry Pi microcomputers.

3. Inclusive Storytime Programs

In partnership with Family and Community Services (FCS) under the Provincial Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (PDHHS), Ministry of Children and Family Development, ASL-English Storytimes are programs for families with deaf and hard-of-hearing members. The programs are led by a Children’s Librarian, a Literacy Specialist who is deaf and communicates in ASL, and two ASL interpreters. Songs, rhymes, books and stories are presented simultaneously in English and ASL. There is also time for families to socialize with the ASL interpreters present, so that hearing and non-hearing people can communicate. The library conducted this program 12 times in 2015, with a total attendance of 314 people.

Sensory Storytimes are small-group programs designed to create a welcoming environment for children who may not yet thrive in traditional library storytime settings. They provide early literacy experiences for children who have developmental disabilities, atypical sensory processing and/or other conditions. Sensory Storytime is open to all children, but is especially helpful for children who experience challenges being in a group setting, including those who have developmental delays, disabilities, sensitivities, are on the Autism spectrum and/or have other conditions. Sensory Storytime is a new alternative for children who didn’t have a successful experience attending a regular library storytime program and/or has a parent who is concerned that their child will be disruptive during a program. The library launched this innovative new program with 7 sessions in 2015, with a total attendance of 112 people.


1. Tablet Tales

In the Tablet Tales Program, librarians demonstrate how apps can play a role in talking, singing, reading, writing and playing with children, and how they can provide older children opportunities to create, socialize, and learn. Children’s Librarians work together to develop program content in-house, and aim to expand program offerings across the system using a peer-training model. Staff continues to seek new opportunities to develop innovative children's programming.


VPL introduced the cohort and neighbourhood teams that developed and led system-wide service delivery for their respective age-cohort groups. The middle years cohort team has made strong progress in expanding services and programs, such as the Digital Programming for School Aged Kids Program for school-aged children, aged 7 to 12. A variety of programs for this age group are offered across the city, after school and on weekends. Parents and children have told us that they are able to get to know and connect with each other and the library because of the accessibility of these types of programs.


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ASL-English Storytimes partnered with Family and Community Services (FCS) under the Provincial Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (PDHHS) in the Ministry of Children and Family Development to provide programs for families with deaf and hard-of-hearing members. Sensory Storytimes programs are open to all children, but is especially helpful for children who experience challenges being in a group setting, including those who have developmental delays, disabilities, sensitivities, are on the Autism spectrum and/or have other conditions.


1. Tablet Tales

The following are the outcomes identified with Tablet Tales Program: 6 programs were attended by 157 people at the Central Library Caregivers became more comfortable with educational apps and were exposed to recommended

resources


The following are the outcomes identified with the Digital Program for School Aged Kids (ages 8-12): 50 digital literacy programs for kids ages 8 to 12 were provided in 2015 724 children attended these programs across most of VPL’s 22 branches, becoming confident on different

digital platforms, and expanding their knowledge of the possibilities of non-formal learning Participants of KidsZone, an after school drop-in program at South Hill branch, told us that they have met

other kids, recommended books amongst themselves and developed a keen interest in reading through kid-friendly activities.


VPL conducted the ASL-English Storytimes program 12 times in 2015, with a total attendance of 314 people. VPL launched the Sensory Storytimes program with 7 sessions in 2015, with a total attendance of 112 people. Participants included parents, caregivers and educators. Participant feedback reveals that this type of programming is appreciated and helpful in building confidence amongst caregivers in their ability to foster early literacy skills development in children.


Support for the BC Jobs Plan by improving outcomes for job seekers in BC. Specifically, libraries should focus on tools, programs and essential literacy supports that help your community explore new skills and employment options, leading them to be successfully “first in line” for job opportunities for today and tomorrow.

Library Goals that support the priority:

1. VPL Strategic Plan Goals:“Offer a suite of resources, tools, and services to support the creativity and imagination of Vancouver residents” “Support the development of Vancouver residents’ technology, information, and digital literacy skills so they can participate more effectively in the digital world.”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan Initiative: “Implement the Inspiration Lab.”

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VPL 2015 Operating Plan Initiative: “Implement and refine online learning strategies including cohort-based learning and in-house programs.”

Related project highlighted below: “Inspiration Lab”

2. VPL Strategic Plan Goal: “Implement more flexible, patron-centred service models to inspire and support a community of learning and a culture of reading.”

Related project highlighted below: “Skilled Immigrant Info-Centre Program”

Programs and/or Services that align with the priority

1. Inspiration Lab

The City of Vancouver’s Digital Strategy seeks to increase access to creative technology and support growth in the technology sector of Vancouver’s digital economy. In the spirit of this commitment, VPL recently launched the Inspiration Lab - Vancouver’s new digital media hub. The lab promotes the joy of learning and the thrill of creativity by connecting people to new technologies, creating new community spaces and expanding community connections.

The Inspiration Lab meets three critical needs:• Provides a free place dedicated to digital creativity, collaboration and storytelling• Features high-performance computers, analog-to-digital conversion, sound studios, video editing and self-

publishing software• Gives Vancouver residents free access to a wide range of digital equipment, software, studios and training

The Inspiration Lab opened to the public on May 5th 2015 and is located within VPL’s Central Library. An accessible public resource for Vancouver’s communities, it is a natural evolution of existing library services. It provides increased access to creative technology and opportunities for residents to create, capture, and share unique local content.

Citizens can use the space for a wide variety of creative projects. Because of the range of equipment and software available, the options are almost limitless. Some examples of how the lab has been used to date include:

• Musicians recording and editing their music• Actors creating demo reels• Local authors designing eBooks and self-publishing their work• Families digitizing their historical photographs and slides• Residents shooting and editing short films• Local groups creating and publishing podcasts

Regardless of how residents choose to use the Inspiration Lab, it provides them with the opportunity to learn and build new technical knowledge and skills. The Inspiration Lab also provides a critical link to Vancouver’s digital economy, offering residents the opportunity to self-teach in a variety of employable areas. A number of people using the service have reported that they are working on projects for their portfolios and/or using the lab to create samples and audition material.

VPL provides a wide range of classes and workshops to support learning new skills in the Inspiration Lab. These include introductory sessions for users who are enthusiastic but unfamiliar with digital creation technology. Program topics for beginners include audio recording, audio editing and photo editing. More experienced users can acquire more advanced skills by participating in courses on podcasting, self-publishing and video recording and

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editing. To support online learners, in conjunction with the launch of the Inspiration Lab, VPL also launched free access to Lynda.com. This collection of video courses in software, creative and business skill development includes more than 3,900 online courses and more than 165,000 video tutorials. Computers at all VPL locations offer full and unlimited access to Lynda.com and Vancouver residents can log in from off-site provided they have a VPL library card.

Lynda.com complements the many in-person learning opportunities in the Inspiration Lab and is an excellent resource to learn more about audio editing, web design, business/marketing, software development, photography, video/music/audio editing, 3D animation, graphic design and more.

2. Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre program

The Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre (SIIC) is funded through the Government of Canada’s Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and exists to provide employment information to newcomers to Canada. With a focus on women, youth, and less skilled newcomers, SIIC provides information resources and assistance with career exploration and researching job options, employment opportunities, and work place skills. It also provides information on self-employment and small business development.

Through this program, VPL provides Employment Guides on 111 careers, all of which are available online through the SIIC website and in print at the Central Library. These guides provide information and resources for job seekers on how to start work in BC, including topics such as: labour market outlook, wages and salary information, industry associations, employment outlook, credential evaluation links, industry journals and websites. Career Advice Guides, also available online and in print at the library, provide information for newcomers on networking, workplace culture, getting Canadian work experience, avoiding employment scams, internships and mentorships. Three Employment Programs are provided regularly as part of the SIIC: Job Search, Small Business and Career Explorer. In 2015, VPL held 98 Job Search programs with 912 attendees, 26 Small Business programs with 196 attendees and 24 Career Explorer programs with 204 attendees.


1. Inspiration LabVPL has developed several partnerships with community organizations to provide dynamic and engaging programming in the Inspiration Lab and to give users the opportunity to learn from experts in digital technology. For example, in March, a local organization called Storywise will work with VPL to help people record facilitated conversations with a loved one. These conversations will be edited to create digital memories and may ultimately be preserved in VPL’s local digital repository. The Inspiration Lab was made possible by the support of the VPL Foundation and the City of Vancouver, each who contributed 1/3 of the funds for the lab. The final 1/3 of funding was provided by the library from undesignated gifts.


Community engagement and collaboration is integral to development and delivery of this program at the Vancouver Public Library. Staff at VPL have forged and fostered a strong working relationship with the Canada’s Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.


1. Inspiration Lab

The following are the outcomes identified with the Inspiration Lab Program:

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http://pwp.vpl.ca/siic/

Since opening in May 2015, over 1300 people have created musical and story recordings in our recording studios.

Members of the public spent over 6,000 hours using our high performance computers to self-publish books and edit audio and video works, and spent over 3,000 hours digitizing their personal VHS, 8 mm video, audio cassettes, slides, negatives and photographs.

In 2015 over 200 free classes were offered in the lab including Self-Publishing, Intro to Audio Recording and Editing and Video Editing classes.


SIIC survey achievements include: Increased labour market participation among target newcomer group. Increased knowledge, skills and connections related to the Canadian work environment among target

newcomer groups. Improved employment prospects for newcomers to Canada. Increased connection among newcomers, the library and local communities. Increased access to relevant library resources including workshops and services to newcomers to Canada. Outcomes from participant survey: 80% of respondents (N=61) to a follow-up survey said the tour or

workshop they attended helped them with their job search in Canada.


A focus on collaboration between libraries and other partners. For example, the development of shared service models and resources which extend or improve seamless access.

Library Goals that support the priority

1. VPL Strategic Plan Goal: “Support a sense of belonging for Vancouver residents and foster social cohesion through learning, sharing, and having fun.”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan Initiative: “Launch Summer of Learning Pilot.”

Related project highlighted below: “Summer of Learning”

2. VPL Strategic Plan Goal: “Increase awareness of the library’s resources and programming so that more people in the community can benefit from our services.”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan Initiative: “Implement the Vancouver Learning Guide as a lead initiative of the Vancouver Learning City.”

Related project highlighted below: “Vancouver Learning Guide”

3. VPL Strategic Plan Goal: “Expand the Library’s presence in non-traditional spaces so that all Vancouver residents have access to the Library’s resources and services.”

VPL 2015 Operating Plan Initiatives: “Reading Lights Plaques” and “Literary Landmarks”.

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Related project highlighted below: “Literature in the Public Realm Programs”

Programs and/or Services that align with the priority:

1. Summer of Learning

The Summer of Learning served as a lifelong learning promotion during the summer months, engaging the community broadly in interesting and unexpected learning activities across platforms, organizations, and activities. Initiated by Vancouver Learning City and organized by Vancouver Public Library, the program was developed to enrich Vancouver by creating increased awareness of non-formal and informal lifelong learning opportunities throughout the city during the summer. While initially raised as a concept through earlier discussions amongst Learning City partners, this project was aligned with the City of Vancouver’s Healthy City Strategy in which the Summer of Learning was identified as a 2015 action under the Strategy’s Lifelong Learning Goal.

The program ran from early July through mid-September 2015. 3,676 people registered as program participants. The program aimed to promote non-formal learning through the offerings of a wide range of community organizations and also to make obvious the unintentional ways we learn informally throughout our day through interactions with other community members and even community spaces. The program promoted non-formal learning through the offerings of a wide range of community organizations and also made obvious the unintentional ways we learn informally throughout our day.

This program was designed to be suitable for all ages and lent itself equally well to family or group activity or individual pursuits.

The two main delivery methods for registered participants were a “Learning Journal” to capture individual thoughts and the Photo Challenge to capture learning moments in action. A free personal journal, which included thought-provoking questions and ideas for discovery, was available to capture the summer learning experiences for each individual or family. Participants were also invited to photograph items or scenes that related to four selected themes (Local history, Out of your comfort zone, Shift your perspective, Changes through time) and post them to Instagram using the hashtag #vansummeroflearning to create a sense of community among participants. New photo challenges were posted every two weeks. The former was more reflective and personal and the second was externally focused using social media.

Each week, Summer of Learning participants could register for learning experience draws. The creative and thoughtful experience-based prizes contributed by community partners played an important role in generating and maintaining participation in the Summer of Learning. These prizes indirectly assisted with the evaluation of Summer of Learning as prize draw entry forms included prompts and reflective questions that participants could respond to when entering the prize draw.

2. Vancouver Learning Guide

In 2015, VPL and a host of education, technology, and social organizations, launched a new, online listing of free learning events in the City of Vancouver. The Learning Guide is a web-based, mobile-enabled program guide which identifies all free non-formal learning opportunities available to Vancouver residents through various public or community institutions, organizations, businesses, or community-based collaborative efforts. The Guide is actively being used by VPL, Learning City Partners, and community organizations. You can access the Learning Guide online here: https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/community/search/index

3. Literature in the Public Realm Programs

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Reading Lights - VPL worked with external partners to select and place colourful plaques on city lamp posts, designed to spark joy and inspire interest in reading. Reading Lights plaques are illustrated with the designs and words of local picture book authors and illustrators, and have been placed by city parks for the entertainment and inspiration of children and their caregivers. Twenty Reading Lights plaques were created and installed in 2015at park locations spanning every corner of the city.

Literary Landmarks - The Literary Landmarks project in 2015 was a continuation of 2014’s initiative to place plaques honouring local authors and marking locations of relevance to their work(for example, the house in which Margaret Laurence lived while writing her Canadian classic, The Stone Angel). Among the ten new authors chosen for Literary Landmarks in 2015 is Alice Munro, who worked part-time at the Kitsilano branch of VPL before becoming a world-famous author.

Through both projects, local authors are celebrated and publicized, and the library is building on relationships with local organizations. With Reading Lights, the library worked with BC CWILL (Children’s Writers & Illustrators of British Columbia Society). For Literary Landmarks, we continued our partnership with the literary publisher BC Bookworld.

Reading Lights and Literary Landmarks can be visited in person throughout the city of Vancouver, or virtually at: http://pwp.vpl.ca/literarylandmarks/ http://pwp.vpl.ca/readinglights/

Partnerships that support the priority:


Vancouver Public Library and Vancouver Learning City partnered to launch the Summer of Learning in 2015.Several organizations actively worked with VPL staff to design the program elements and the evaluation framework: the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm; BCIT; Museum of Anthropology; Vancouver Art Gallery; The Natural Step; and Vancouver Maritime Museum.


34 partner organizations can now add content to the Learning Guide. Partners include : Vancouver Public Library Vancouver Board of Education Langara College Simon Fraser University University of British Columbia Emily Carr University of Art + Design City of Vancouver Mozilla Foundation


With Reading Lights, the library partnered with BC CWILL (Children’s Writers & Illustrators of British Columbia Society) to select the authors and illustrators, and also worked with the authors and illustrators directly to ensure that all parties were happy with the end product. We also worked with children’s book publishers, authors and illustrators directly while designing the plaques.

With Literary Landmarks, the Library continued its collaboration with BC Bookworld, a long-established publisher of BC literary materials. We worked closely with the authors (or author estates) to craft the plaque.

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https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/foundation/

http://www.vancouver.ca/

http://www.ecuad.ca/

http://www.ubc.ca/

http://www.sfu.ca/

http://www.langara.bc.ca/

http://www.vsb.bc.ca/

http://www.vpl.ca/

http://pwp.vpl.ca/readinglights/

http://pwp.vpl.ca/literarylandmarks/



Evaluation tools included a participant survey and multiple channels to provide feedback regarding both learning experiences and the program itself. A significant majority of survey respondents agreed that the program increased their awareness of Vancouver as a city rich with lifelong learning opportunities. Nearly 80% of respondents indicated that they would participate in the program again. Other components of the Summer of Learning evaluation afford unique insights into the ways Vancouver residents experience lifelong learning: 67.8 % (135/184) of survey respondents replied “yes” to the survey question: As a participant, did you discover

new places, programs, events or activities in Vancouver? 75.7% (137/181) of survey participants agree or strongly agree that they are now more aware of spontaneous

ways to learn during everyday activities. 81.5% (150/184) of survey participants agree or strongly agree that they have an increased sense of

Vancouver as a community that values and supports lifelong learning.


The Vancouver Learning Guide was officially launched on April 2, 2015. Visit the Vancouver Learning City website and access the Learning Guide at: http://www.vancouverlearningcity.ca/


Outcomes for the literature in the public realm program include: Twenty Reading Lights plaques have been at city park locations, to inspire and delight all and promote a love

of reading. Ten additional Literary Landmarks plaques have been selected, researched, and approved for placement in

locations of significance to local authors.

SUMMARY

Vancouver Public Library continues to be a thriving, vibrant, and relevant community hub providing core learning, knowledge and social infrastructure to City of Vancouver residents.

In 2015, VPL delivered out on BC Government priorities through the successful delivery of key programs.

We expanded access to library services. The n c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch Community Librarian initiative ə́resulted in deeper relationships with community organizations in an area of the city with underserved residents. The Community Inspiration Pass program provided increased access to community arts and cultural amenities to underserved residents. Expanded in-branch storytime programs were tailored to meet the special needs of previously underserved patrons.

We provided increased support for education transformation. Digital programming delivered by VPL in 2015 engaged hundreds of children across the city.

We supported the BC Jobs Plan by improving outcomes for job seekers in BC. The launch of VPL’s award winning Inspiration Lab connected hundreds of residents with opportunities to build the skills needed to participate in BC’s digital and creative economy. The delivery of our Skilled Immigrant Info-Centre Program introduced newcomers to

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http://www.vancouverlearningcity.ca/

BC to local employment information, including information about self-employment and small business development.

We focused on increasing collaboration with partners. Our Summer of Learning pilot program expanded our collaboration with the Vancouver Learning City, a network of over a dozen Vancouver-based learning institutions. The Vancouver Learning Guide program provided a one-stop-shop for residents to access learning opportunities offered by 34 partner organizations. The Literature in Public Realms programs connects the work of authors and illustrators with the community at large.

We’re proud of what we accomplished in 2015 and are looking forward to the future as we embark on the creation of VPL’s 2017-2019 Strategic Plan. Building on past success, we are working toward a future where every Vancouver resident is informed, engaged, and connected through the Vancouver Public Library.

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