For Immediate Release

Innovative, cost effective BC library cooperative welcomes its 50th member

On August 30, 2011, Beaver Valley Public Library becomes the fiftieth library to join Sitka, a collective of BC libraries sharing technical infrastructure to better serve their users. 

Nearly eighty percent of the public libraries in the Kootenay Library Federation are members of Sitka, as is the College of the Rockies. Kootenay residents benefit through increased access to library resources and services, and more effective use of local library investments. 

Sitka uses the award-winning open-source Evergreen software, a cost effective, robust technology solution complete with a mobile interface for users to manage their library accounts. 

The BC Libraries Cooperative is strategically focussed on the delivery of shared operational infrastructure, management and resources for its members. The Cooperative strives to improve efficiency through continuous innovation, to reduce costs and to work with its membership to extend service delivery in libraries, as vital community and literacy agencies.

Through the Cooperative, member libraries get bulk discounts on electronic content such as research databases, electronic books and the BiblioCommons social discovery system. This means that despite the economic downturn, library patrons in Beaver Valley — and throughout BC — have improved access to quality information resources and collections.

Edel Toner-Rogala, Chair of the BC Libraries Cooperative, says that “the Cooperative’s initiatives create tremendous economies of scale for libraries and enable a stronger focus on users."

Marie Onyett, Beaver Valley Library Head Librarian, said "since 1960, the library and its services have grown to serve the community better. We are excited to offer more online functionality and services to the 5000 residents of our community. ”

Recognizing the historic pressures on public library collections and services, the BC Libraries Cooperative was formed in 2009 as a member-owned, non-profit community enterprise. The Cooperative is supported by a dedicated BC-based team and funded by libraries in partnership with the Province of British Columbia.

There were over 30 Million in‐person visits to British Columbia's public libraries in 2010, up 10% over 2009 and 30% over 2005. In addition to borrowing physical and downloadable books, library visitors are attending literacy programs, using computers for job searches and accessing wireless services to stay connected. Libraries collaborate to offer invaluable services to individuals in local communities across the province.

###

Resources

BC Libraries Cooperative website http://cooperative.bclibraries.ca

Sitka website         http://sitka.bclibraries.ca

Kootenay Library Federation website http://klf.bclibrary.ca/

Evergreen open source software http://open-ils.org