The futuristic lifestyle envisioned in the 1960s cartoon series The Jetsons hasn’t yet materialized for those still awaiting flying cars and robotic housekeepers.
But at Coquitlam Public Library, the future is already here, judging by the myriad ways patrons use the library beyond picking up a book, CD or DVD to read, listen to or watch.
Visit either the Poirier or City Centre branch today and you’ll see people using the library in ways early Jetsons watchers probably never envisioned.
Creative types are making things with 3D printers.
Seniors are learning to program robotic toys using an iPad.
Newcomers to Canada are talking to family from the old country via Skype.
Businesses are holding meetings in conference rooms.
And thanks to eBooks and other digital technologies, people can access movies, music, audiobooks, comics and TV shows without leaving the comfort of their home.
There are almost as many ways to use the library as there are patrons, and for library executive director Todd Gnissios, that’s an interesting challenge for CPL staff.
“We are moving more and more into interactive exchanges, so we’re all trying to figure it out," he told The Tri-City News.
To aid in that quest CPL will be consulting with residents and businesses to find out what their leisure, entertainment, information and commercial needs are as the library plans for the future.
“This is literally the next step in the process," Gnissios said. "Our strategic plan went from five to three years because the changes are happening so fast.”
Finding and curating information seem to be a common issue and CPL is looking at ways to provide information to Coquitlam residents and businesses in ways that are the most useful, Gnissios said.
Whether it be storytimes close to home so families don’t need a car to get to the library, training materials, data and statistical information for businesses or a sound room for music creators, the library is trying to assess the community's needs, then prioritize funding to meet them.
“We’re about lifelong learning, so we fill the gap,” Gnissios said.
The library has no intention of scrapping books, CDs and DVDs despite the move to digital. In fact, to Gnissios’ surprise, circulation of these materials continues to be strong.
Still, CPL is putting more money into newer technologies, shelling out $80,900 a year on eBooks, for example, and enhancing other services, including the addition of Hoopla Digital, a digital media app, and lynda.com, a digital library of business, technology and creative skills courses.
“We keep upping our WiFi and upping our bandwidth as they keep absorbing it,” said Gnissios about patrons use of CPL’s internet capability.
”Most people don’t have enough internet to meet their needs… and we know business comes here to connect to our WiFi to Skype.”
To find out what information, ideas, resources and knowledge are needed for the next three years, the library is hosting open houses and world cafe discussions for Coquitlam businesses and residents.
Todd says he expects people to have a lot of ideas about how libraries can meet their needs in the coming decade and he’s not worried libraries are on their way out. In fact, he said they are a critical part of making sure people have access to the knowledge economy in new and affordable ways.
“Will libraries exist in 10 years? Yeah, libraries are becoming even more important as information is growing so fast.”
• To find out more, visit www.coqlibrary.ca, where you can click on an online survey or join the community conversation.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Coquitlam Public Library is holding community conversations to find out what people and businesses need from library services in the future. Upcoming events are:
• A Multicultural Library Lens open house, April 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., City Centre branch (Room 136);
• Sparking New Ideas World Café, April 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Roy Stibbs elementary school, 600 Fairview St., Coquitlam;
• Sparking New Ideas World Café, April 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Summit middle school, 1450 Parkway Blvd., Coquitlam.
For more information or to RSVP, visit: eventbrite.ca/o/coquitlam-public-library-13447955318. Drop-ins are also welcome.
