City of Lloydminster to assist Lloydminster Public Library in exploring municipal operating model
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Lloydminster, AB/SK – Lloydminster Public Library (LPL), in partnership with the City of Lloydminster, will explore the feasibility of adopting a municipal operating model.
Currently, LPL is a member of the Lakeland Library Region (LLR), which provides administration, processing, and management services to 32 libraries across west-central Saskatchewan. LPL has been a member of LLR for many years. Following a recent modernization of services and a significant increase in usership, Lloydminster’s programming and collection requirements have changed considerably.
“As an urban, bi-provincial library, the Lloydminster Public Library has some incredibly unique and complex needs that cannot be effectively addressed under a blanket regional model,” says Kristine Knourek, Board Chair, Lloydminster Public Library. “As we embark upon our newest chapter, it’s important we examine how our board and municipality might provide more direct governance and support on a local level. The LPL Board, in collaboration with the City of Lloydminster, is committed to ensuring exceptional library services to the Lloydminster area, as it has for almost a century.”
The City of Lloydminster provides regular funding and administrative support to LPL but does not manage operations. In 2021, the City aided LPL in relocating to the LloydMall, which helped set in motion a
re-imagining of its programming, services and technologies.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers highlights that many urban libraries in Alberta and Saskatchewan are already encompassed under a municipal model.
“It’s with great admiration and pride we have seen our local public library evolve into a thriving place of learning, inspiration, and social connectivity,” says Mayor Aalbers. “The universal reality is that growth eventually necessitates change. After hearing first-hand the success stories shared by other urban libraries that have moved to their own municipal models, we owe it to ourselves to at least explore the model.”
Following City Council’s decision during a Council meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, City Administration, with LPL management and board members, will begin to further assess LPL’s governance needs and collect information to compile a report for presentation to City Council later this year.
Quick Facts
- In 2023, the Library saw over 90,000 visits.
- In 2023, 120,000 physical resources were circulated, 50,000 e-resources were borrowed, and 30,000 resources from Lloydminster were lent to other patrons in Saskatchewan.
- The Lloydminster Public Library usage equates to approximately 32% of the total utilization in the Lakeland Library Region.
- In 2021, the Lloydminster Public Library and the Lakeland Library Region entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, which expired in December 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Lloydminster Public Library exploring a municipal model now?
In 2022 alone, traffic to the library increased by more than 20 per cent, and with that growth has come increasingly diverse service requirements. Being urban and bi-provincial poses unique challenges and it has been suggested an alternative framework may better serve a library of LPL’s size and scope.
What service impacts might LPL members experience during the exploration?
No impacts to patron services are anticipated as the LPL Board and the City of Lloydminster explore an alternative model.
Are there costs associated with the exploration process?
The City and LPL anticipate some modest professional service fees as part of the exploration. Consideration of future costs will be a key part of the LPL and City’s research in exploring an alternative model.
What is the City’s role in the funding and operation of the library?
Currently, the City funds approximately 80 per cent of LPL’s annual budget and provides administrative support for on-site technology and employee services. The City is the leaseholder of LPL’s space in the LloydMall and is responsible for maintenance and enhancements.
What is the process for exploration? Who is involved?
The process will be a collaboration between the City of Lloydminster and Lloydminster Public Library. It will include research on factors like programming and collection needs, governance needs, funding models, applicable legislation and more. Later this year, a report will be compiled and shared with the LPL board and Lloydminster City Council.
Image provided by the City of Lloydminster
