2019 ANNUAL COMMUNITY REPORT

NORTH SHORE AUTHORS COLLECTION

LEARNING for all ages As you will read in these pages, a key theme of 2019 was lifting up community voices. Through initiatives like Tell Your Story, the North Shore Authors Collection, Local Voices, and more, we worked to recognize, promote, and share the stories and experiences of our community. Attendance at programs for English language learners and newcomers doubled, as we worked to advance our mission of being open and welcoming to all, as a gathering place that embraces different backgrounds and generations. The Library, Reconciliation Canada, and the Squamish Nation were also recognized with the BCLA Building Better Communities award for our joint work on reconciliation. The process of reconciliation is complex and meaningful, and we are so thankful for the guidance we have received from many people, including Chepximiya Siyam’ / Chief Janice George.

2019 was a year of growth, as we saw increases in borrowing (both for physical and online materials), inquiries, and visits. Through it all, the Library was sustained by the involvement and support of the District of West , the Memorial Library Foundation, the Friends of the Library, , the Province of , and our community members, staff, board, and volunteers. Some say it takes a village to create a truly great library, and we are so

thankful for the many people and partners who helped us this year. DIRECTOR

Jillian Stirk, Stephanie Hall, Board Chair Director LIBRARY BOARD CHAIR

1 THE LIBRARY FAMILY

WVML Board Volunteers

The 11-member, Council-appointed Library Board of Trustees Each of our volunteer groups works in their own special way, is instrumental in ensuring that the leadership, policies, contributing time and expertise to make our Library exceptional. relationships, financial resources, and infrastructure are in place Our English Language Learning program volunteers are to support the Library’s success. The Trustees set the strategic welcoming, skilled facilitators of book clubs and conversation direction for the Library’s development and establish policies that circles for English language learners. Our shelving volunteers guide the effective operation of the Library. keep the popular paperbacks in order on the spinners. Teen volunteers serve as Digital Buddies, as Book Buddies, and on the Teen Advisory Group.

Friends of the Library WVML Foundation

Founded in 1951, the Friends of the Library The Foundation provides an avenue for private are energetic supporters of the Library, many donors and corporate sponsors to partner in a of whom have volunteered for decades. They legacy of giving. Generous contributions to the contribute all the proceeds from their Book Sale, Foundation have transformed physical spaces Shred-It day, and Book Cart sales back to the including the Welsh Hall, Room 14, the Library, supporting programs and the Library’s courtyard, the Musto Lounge, and most recently, welcoming character. The Friends host and fund The Lab. Bequests and donations administered the annual Remembrance Day open house. by the Foundation provide sustained funding for In 2019, the Friends generously commissioned music, as well as collections for older adults. the permanent art piece Panel of Knowledge: Tyee Salmon and Eulachon by Halikium/Wade Baker (pictured). 2019 STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS

Enhancing Digital Learning for Adults We expanded programs and opportunities for adults in The Lab, our digital learning space, to include more in-depth, multi-week sessions on topics such as coding, website creation, the creative use of photos, and more.

PEOPLE Innovative Programming for Youth and Families Support 21st Century Learning Our Youth staff developed new streams of programming in c