Schreiber Public Library Shows its Importance to the Community in its 130th Aniversary Year

The Schreiber Public Library continues to provide excellent service to the residents of Schreiber this year in its 130th anniversary year.

Not many understand or are aware of how the library operates or how it is managed, so this year the Schreiber Media Centre produced a video to highlight the operation of the Schreiber Public Library. Most people think of a library as place to borrow and read books but libraries have become much more in recent years. The library has a variety of services and programs tailored to the needs of its patrons.

When COVID first appeared, most municipal services were shut down, but the library continued to operate on a basic level by adapting it’s services and modifying the varied programmes it provides. Curbside pick up and iPad lending were just a few of the ways to keep delivering a service to the people. Residents could still submit requests for books and even use the photocopying service through email and telephone requests. Lamination of immunization records became a very popular service as staff were able to quickly create wallet sized copies of the QR coded certificates. Books dropped of in the drop box have to remain isolated for a few days and then are disinfected and replaced on the library shelves. Unfortunately all donations to the library in terms of physical items has been discontinued for the time being.

Digital technology has allowed for the creation of research data bases and archives that can be accessed from the library website. E books, music files and video content are also available through Hoopla, an app that allows for the downloading of content. Movies are also available on DVD and the library has an extensive list of old and newer films available for takeout. 

The Schreiber Public Library celebrated its 130th anniversary this year under closures, reduced hours of operations and lockdowns and as a result many of the indoor programs had to be modified. However there were still gift packages available for people to celebrate the years of service the library has provided. Zoom meetings became the standard and one of the bigger programs conducted was a completely virtual co operative event in conjunction with Fixt Point Media. A podcast was produced over the course of a few weeks and a community zoom meeting was created to highlight the finished product. The 1000 books program managed to continue through curbside pickup and the  book club was turned into a virtual event.

The quilting program had to be put on hold due to restrictions on meeting in the municipal buildings. The gardening program was also modified and seeds and plants were made available for free on the outside steps of the library. Goody bags for children and high school students were produced and distributed through various grants and funding projects. The Schreiber Media Centre was often unavailable for use but continued to function outside of the studio in the basement.

Staff at the library were allowed to go into the building to perform their usually duties and were kept very busy during the lockdowns and continued to serve patrons with restrictions in place. The iPads for seniors program was very successful and nearly every unit is still currently loaned out. Training over the phone or Zoom can be arranged -- David Costa runs the training and troubleshooting of that program.

Finally recognition must be given to the governing body who’s members serve tirelessly on the board to ensure the library remains relevant and continue to provide the valuable services to the community of Schreiber. Board members need to be approved by council but make their own decisions in the direction and operation of the library, even creating an operating budget for each year. The board positions are renewed after each election and for the most part many board members have served multiple terms. This year there will be another municipal election and there are going to some changes to the board as the current Chairperson will be retiring.