Английская Википедия:Fraser Valley Regional Library
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Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) is a public library system in British Columbia, Canada, with 25 community libraries serving a 778,000 population, including over 360,000 library cardholders.[1] Established in 1930, it is governed by a board of elected officials who represent 15 municipalities and regional districts.
Founding 1927-1930
Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL), established in 1930 in the Fraser Valley area of British Columbia (BC).
The idea of bringing the library to the rural population in BC began in 1927. The Provincial Public Library Commission organized a province-wide survey[2] of library services in BC. The key finding from the survey was that large administrative library districts based on cooperation and resource sharing between municipalities and school districts should be created to serve BC’s rural communities who could not afford to provide a library service on their own. Based on this recommendation, the Commission sought funding to carry out an initial trial project.
It began serving residents in the early 1930s with the introduction of the Fraser Valley Book Van, which served as the public library to the rural residents from Ladner to Hope. This travelling library displayed books along its outside shelves and travelled through the valley to small towns and villages, stopping at grocery stores, schoolhouses, and gas stations. The Book Van system operated in conjunction with local libraries in located in the larger towns throughout the valley.Шаблон:Citation needed
Demonstration project 1930-1934
The Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded a grant of $100,000 to establish and maintain a rural library project for five years. After considering various regions of the province, the Commission selected the Fraser Valley as the site of BC’s book experiment. The library’s first director Dr. Helen Gordon Stewart headed the project.
Covering an area of approximately 2,600 square km and containing 24 separate governing bodies, the Fraser Valley Book Van made its first public appearance in July 1930. Administrative headquarters for the project was located in New Westminster while Chilliwack served as the main distribution center. The number of borrowers quickly soared, and six other libraries opened soon after.
Creation of the Fraser Valley Union Library
To continue library service to the Fraser Valley after the Carnegie funds were exhausted, residents were asked to vote whether they wished to support the library through local taxes. A referendum was scheduled for January 1934. The timing was difficult since taxpayers were asked to vote in favor of higher taxes during a severe economic depression. Stewart and her staff launched a massive campaign of public meetings, handouts, posters, and newspaper articles to gain support. Twenty of the original 24 areas voted "yes" so the Fraser Valley Union Library created the first regional library system in North America. The first operating budget was established by the board at a per capita rate of 35 cents.
The resources of the Carnegie Demonstration Project were turned over to the new Library Board of Management on September 28, 1934, during a ceremony held in Chilliwack, BC. At this time, Stewart left the Fraser Valley to organize other regional libraries. Soon after, the library headquarters was relocated to its present location in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Present day
In 1951, the official name was changed to the Fraser Valley Regional Library District (FVRL). FVRL is the largest public library system in British Columbia.
FVRL is governed by a board of directors and financially supported by its member municipalities and through a Government of BC operating grant. Board members are elected officials of its member municipalities.[3]
Special collections
World languages
FVRL has recognized the need to better serve the culturally diverse communities in which it operates and has allotted $80,000 per year to its World Languages Collection. The collection is split between the 24 branches and consists of over 42,000 items in 14 languages. It includes a mix of both adult and children's fiction and non-fiction books, DVDs and CDs.
Lifelong learning programs
FVRL supports lifelong learning and literacy. To promote ongoing learning and literacy within the community FVRL offers various programs and workshops for all age groups from toddlers to seniors. Programs include:
- Storytimes
- Author readings
- Computer and Internet classes
- Credit management
- Family reading clubs
- How to write a will
Awards
| Year | Award | Giver |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | People's Choice Award (Chilliwack) | Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce |
| 2011 | Inclusive Environment Award (Chilliwack) | Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards |
| 2011 | Merit Award for Festival of Aboriginal Arts | BC Library Association |
| 2011 | Sheila Nickols Heritage Achievement Award for Community History and Heritage Teaching (Maple Ridge) | District of Maple Ridge |
| 2009 | BCLA Merit Award for Programs - Aboriginal Outreach Services | BC Library Association |
| 2006 | Merit Award for Grades 4-5 Reading Link Challenge | BC Library Association Шаблон:Webarchive |
| 2006 | Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Award in Marketing and Outreach (Aldergrove) | Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards |
| 2006 | Innovator of the Year Award for launch of Live Homework Help | Tutor.com |
| 2006 | W. Kaye Lambe Award for Services to Seniors | Canadian Library Association and Ex Libris Association |
Locations
FVRL has an Administrative Centre located in Abbotsford and 25 community branches located in 15 municipalities.
References
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ 1927-1928 BC Library Survey
- ↑ FVRL - Who We Are 2011
External links
