Since moving to its space at Crossroads Village Shopping Centre, Powell River Public Library has seen an increase in community engagement on all levels.
This is certainly true of programs for youth, according to chief librarian Rebecca Burbank. Although programs were offered at the old library location, they took place off site and were not always recognized as being part of the library, she said.
“Even though we were delivering these programs, which were awesome, people would not identify them as something the library had put out because it was in a different building,” said Burbank.
With dedicated spaces for youth programming now on site, the library is able to offer even more value to the community and fill a need, she added.
According to a self-assessment among School District 47 elementary school students, a lack of after-school programs or awareness of where students could go after school was highlighted, said Burbank.
“They showed below average engagement rates socially for kids in our community,” she added. “You had lots of kids going home and sitting by themselves playing video games instead of hanging out with their peers or engaging with the community.”
That is definitely something the library can help with, she added.
During the school year, as well as summer months, the library hosts a series of free clubs and activities. Currently in its final week, Summer Reading Club offers books and much more, according to club assistant Cole Needham.
“Despite the name, Summer Reading Club is not just about reading,” he said. “We really have something for everyone.” Needham said his favourite event was an engineering project entitled: The Last Straw Egg Drop Challenge. On August 9, 29 children and caregivers took part in the challenge in the library foyer.
Eggs were dropped onto purpose-built structures made of two materials: straws and hockey tape. Those that survived the first floor drop were then dropped from the second-storey balcony. In all, seven eggs emerged unscathed and winners were awarded club posters and books.
“Seeing the kids solve a complex problem with limited materials and succeed or fail was not only entertaining, but also a testament to human ingenuity,” said Needham.
For more information on library programs, go to prpl.ca.
