The IslandLink Library Federation, founded in 2008, includes 4 member libraries: Alert Bay, Greater Victoria, Powell River and Salt Spring Island.

This report summarizes the IslandLinkLibrary Federation’s goals and achievements in 2014, in response to the expectations outlined in the Federation’s provincial funding letter dated May 1, 2014, the 2014 Library Federation Grant Report Instructions and the ILLF Strategic Plan (2013-2016).

PROVINCIAL & FEDERATION PRIORITIES, WITH HIGHLIGHTS OF ISLANDLINK’S 2014 ACHIEVEMENTS & CHALLENGES:

1.  Encourage equitable access to library services for all British Columbians: IslandLink works to provide equitable access to library services through programs and initiatives such as:

·  author readings, writing workshops, puppetry day camps, and move-making workshops for teens, many of which would be beyond the budgets of individual libraries

·  financial and administrative support for the licensing of digital resources in partnership with the BC Libraries Cooperative, so that member libraries of greatly varying sizes are better able to develop digital collections relevant to local communities.

IslandLInk Highlight: Programming
In 2014 a strategic planning priority was to enhance the capacity and creativity of member libraries by helping to increase the number and quality of events and programs.
The 5th year of the Travelling Puppet Show (TPS) project in 2014 is an example of a program which engaged nearly 2,000 participants through both “puppet shows,” as well as day camps and workshops for children and teens, which actively involved them in writing, puppetry and storytelling. The program is coordinated by 2 post-secondary (theatre or education, etc.) students who plan, deliver and evaluate the program in partnership with local libraries. Evaluation is carried out through methods such as interviews with participants and library staff, keeping a journal of what works and statistical reporting. The 2015 TPS is continuing to evolve, to potentially include “drama camps” for children and/or teens.

2.  Support education transformation and the BC Jobs Plan: The federation supports flexible learning in both formal and non-formal school, library and community settings through :

·  many programs targeted at children, teens and families, often delivered in partnership with local schools, day cares, First Nations communities, Farmer’s markets or other libraries in the region

·  professional development workshops for library staff and community partners (e.g. Mother Goose 2.0 training offered in April 2014 to library staff and early childhood educators)

·  promotion and enhancement of the provincial Summer Reading Club e.g. Norden the Magician tour of local libraries and schools to promote SRC in June; Travelling Puppet Show performances and day camps in July & August.

The BC Jobs Plan is supported through:

·  the creation of two summer jobs for post-secondary students who develop and deliver the Travelling Puppet Show

·  support for acquiring or accessing online resources (e.g. periodicals, specialized trade journals, small business resources)

·  support for both library staff and patrons to update their technology and workplace skills through formal and informal continuing education opportunities and exposure to new technologies.

3.  Collaborate and cooperate within the federation and with other library and community partners.

Within IslandLink, staff and trustees collaborate and learn from each other via annual visits to member libraries, strategic planning sessions, meeting at workshops or conferences and SKYPE or teleconference calls.

Partnerships with other federations in 2014 included:

·  Developing or updating preferred pricing agreements for library supplies (e.g. patron cards, ILL bags)

·  Sharing delivery of online/remote training opportunities for staff (e.g. “Conversations” webinars targeted at library directors and supervisors, offered in conjunction with online leadership and management courses available through jointly licensed Skillsoft online courses)

·  Funding and purchase of book-club sets

·  Preferred pricing and ordering of Books for Babies kit materials

·  Shared licenses with other federations for Corporate Training Materials; Stocklayouts; and online survey tools

Provincially, IslandLink staff and member libraries are participants in the BC Libraries Cooperative, the BC Library Association and the BC Library Trustees Association and maintain regular contact with the Libraries Branch regarding provincial priorities and initiatives.

4.  Demonstrate planning and accountability.

The ILLF has demonstrated strong planning and accountability to its member libraries and the government by engaging in a formal strategic planning process and completing requirements for provincial and federal reporting in 2014.

5.  Support community priorities and engagement.

IslandLink responds to local priorities by developing initiatives and programs that come from local libraries and communities, such as requests or suggestions for programs or workshops. Our programming also enables local libraries to promote library services or engage specific segments of their communities.

IslandLink Highlight: Strategic Planning
In 2014, the ILLF started a new strategic planning cycle that aims to incorporate and build on local needs and priorities. InFocus Consulting was contracted to help facilitate the planning process. A survey of library directors, trustees, staff and volunteers was conducted as a first step to identifying local priorities that will influence ILLF goals and objectives. A strategic planning session was held in October 2014 as a second step in the process, which will be completed in 2015/16 to develop a plan for 2016 and onwards. The original intent to conduct local community consultations prior to the development of a new IslandLink plan was discontinued, as it was logistically not possible for our member libraries to all take on this type of task at the same time.

6.  Collaborate with the province and other partners on resource-sharing.

IslandLink member libraries participate in and greatly benefit from established provincial resource-sharing initiatives (BC OneCard, interlibrary loan, a common web site solution for smaller libraries, and of course the SITKA Evergreen library automation system shared by most small and medium-sized libraries in the province. ILLF staff and member libraries are also promoting the new National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) initiative, which is helping make alternate format materials for people with print disabilities more readily available.

With regard to moving towards the use of InterLibrary Connect, (the ability of the SITKA catalogue to function as an interlibrary loan (ILL) tool among member libraries), this opportunity has been investigated for the 2 ILLF libraries that will still be using SITKA in the future. The plan to move towards inter-federation use of the InterLibrary Connect functionality, will make it much easier for these 2 libraries, as well as neighbouring Gulf Islands libraries, to participate.

7.  Support provincial efforts to develop effective training programs for staff, trustees and volunteers.

In 2014 IslandLink offered a number of face-to-face and distance learning opportunities, including workshops for children’s services staff, support to attend conferences and distance learning opportunities.

IslandLink Highlight : Training Programs
In partnership with other federations, former IslandLink Manager, Katherine Anderson played a leading role in organizing a webinar series on entrepreneurial librarianship and developing a combined webinar and online course model (using existing Skillsoft online courses) for library managers and supervisors in 2014. This has led to a province-wide initiative to be launched in 2015.
For IslandLink member library staff, trustees and volunteers, participation in these distance learning opportunities has been extremely low, however, and warrants further discussion about factors that might help or hinder participation in this type of continuing education, as well as continuing education options in general.

8.  Planning for Succession:

A final priority for IslandLink staff, trustees and the Library Directors’ Advisory Group in 2014 was to plan for the recruitment, hiring and orientation of a new IslandLink Manager. These activities were a major focus in the latter part of the year.

Respectfully submitted,

Ene Haabniit, Manager

IslandLink Library Federation

Phone: 250-629-6015 | 1-855-927-2005

Email:

www.islandlink.ca

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IslandLink Library Federation Report 2015