1. Responding to Misconceptions
Reasoned arguments for why libraries matter

2. Library transactions are dropping
Yes, physical item circulation is dropping in the long term
E-circ provides a counter balance (refer to Annual Report)
Checkout stats are not the only measure of a library
Programs
Program attendance
Services offered to the community ex) meeting space
Computer and WiFi use
Printing, faxing, scanning services
Social factor and building community

3. There are too many libraries in SK
Communities have the option to close their library anytime they want. That so many have a library indicates this is a service their residents want, despite another branch being nearby.
SK has a widely dispersed and small population. To serve all these people across a wide geographic space there has to be many libraries
SK population density is 1.8 per square kilometer. AB is 5.7 and MB is 2.2.
SK has 160,000km of road surface (7km/resident). We understand it is not easy to bring services to all our residents.
The population density per square kilometer in Saskatchewan is Manitoba is 2.2 and Alberta is 5.7 Source: Statistics Canada
Source:     

4. There are too many libraries in SK
Issue:
SK has a ratio of 1 library for every 4000 people
MB = 1:10,000
AB = 1:15,000
Facts:
SK population = 1.1M
MB population = 1.3M. Of which 705,000 live in Winnipeg
AB population = 4.1M. Of which 1.2M live in Calgary
Economy of scale:
54% of MB population is in Winnipeg, which is served by 20 library branches
1.2 million people of Calgary (more than entire province of SK) is served by 18 branches

5. Numbers of library card holders has dropped
New computer system database clean up of duplicate and old cards
Institutional cards
Parents’ use their cards for their children’s circulation
Computer and WiFi does not necessarily require an active card in order to access these services
Attending a program does not require an active card
Using printer, faxing, scanning services does not require an active card
Third party use of the library (ex. meeting space) does not require active cards

6. E-resources are taking over traditional library services
E-resources are heavily used and important to our collections and offerings.
E-resources would be our #1 branch in terms of circulation
In Southeast, e-resources account for 18% of all circulation in Up from 17% in 2015.
Remaining 82% is physical item circulation, particularly DVDs (30% of all circulation)
E-books are at least as expensive to purchase as a print book, and sometimes have restrictions on their use
License some titles ex) 1 year use
Metered checkouts ex) 26 checkouts only
See pages of annual report

7. Couldn’t public and school libraries co-locate?
Co-located or “integrated” libraries do exist and do function
Carnduff, Maryfield, Oungre, Outlook, Warman, Nipawin, Tisdale
Many PNLS libraries are integrated with the school to some degree
Pro’s to co-location:
Nice facilities
Better open hours
Higher circulation
Higher staffing levels
Municipality saves $ on building, utilities, insurance, etc.

8. Couldn’t public and school libraries co-locate?
Issues to overcome in an integration project:
Additional administration, training and supervision
More levels of authority: School Division, School Board, SCC, Regional Library, Local Library Board, Principal, Library Branch Manager, Town Council, RM Council
Integration of collection. Or no?
Collection Development policies
Filtering the internet. Or no?
Supervision/security of school outside of class times. Summer vacation for example.
Student suspensions
Members of the public accessing school grounds
Lock down or other emergency procedures
Renovate the school library to expand capacity?
Overdue charges
Policy incompatibility ex) hand sanitizer

9. Shouldn’t public and school libraries co-locate?
What model do we operate on?
Carnduff and Nipawin: full integration
Oungre: line in the sand
Maryfield: autonomous public space within a school facility
Outlook: shared space but no collection integration
Warman and Tisdale: Community center

10. If in doubt, refer to your local library or to HQ