The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL), with a location here in Golden, has seen a significant increase in the facility’s electronic circulation.
The organization’s new executive director, Stephanie Hall, came to Golden to give a presentation on the library’s figures and services to Town Council.
“By being part of a regional library, your citizens have access to 3/4 of a million physical items. That’s a much larger collection than you could expect to have if you were an independent branch. There’s also a robust array of e-collections, and support team of professional staff,” said Hall.
The Golden branch has seen some great increases over the past year. The physical circulation has gone up by just under one per cent (even though the region has seen a decrease of just over three per cent), and the e-circulation has gone up by roughly 200 per cent.
E-circulation includes electronic books, magazines, movies, music, and audio books, which are gaining in popularity.
“You had some good increases in your summer reading program as well, which is great. All of your programs in general have increased in attendance,” said Hall.
Literacy is very important to the community, according to Hall, and ORL is glad to be providing services that support family literacy.
“When people read throughout their lifespan, there’s some benefits that come along with that.”
When parents read to their children, from birth to age six, it gives a “leg up” when they attend school, having countless hours of pre-reading. As adults, people with strong literacy skills do better in the job market, make more money, and have an easier time transitioning from job to job.
