It was a big year for the Lloydminster Public Library.
Executive director of the Lloydminster Public Library, Cheryl Sikora, updated Lloydminster council on all the events the library has undertaken over the last year.
Most notably, over the last year, the library has been working towards municipal status moving from the Lakeland Library Region to a municipally run library.
“We had a great year in 2024 and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to tell you all about it,” said Sikora at the Feb. 10 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.
They saw more than 100,000 visitors in 2024 with an average of 360 people visiting per day in July and August.
A tradition was started to help bring in more people when the weather outside got worse.
“We started a tradition in 2023 of having a rainy-day program so we just had something prepared in advance. As soon as there was a rainy day that triggered the program. This year we had a glow day,” said Sikora.
While it may not have rained that day she said they still had over 500 people come through the library to make glow jellyfish and play games.
All day every day drop in activities also continued.
“Community members really appreciated that there was something to do, multiple things to do in the library all day every day in the summer months,” said Sikora.
Another indicator of the success the library saw was 130 new card registrations per month, which doesn’t tell the whole story.
“It’s important to note that you don’t actually need a library card to use many of the library services. So we attract more new patrons than 130,” said Sikora.
The meeting rooms were also a hot commodity.
“We have regular bookings from church groups and homeschool groups and we host many small groups. Its become quite popular with teenagers during exam time to come book one of our meeting spaces,” she said.
Programming was successful at the library seeing an increase from the previous year seeing more than 10,000 participants.
“In 2024 we offered over 400 programs with an average of 20 people per program which is up from 16 people per program in 2023,” said Sikora.
She said they’re still very heavy on the children’s programming and they’re working on increasing teen and adult programming. Some of the successful programs include LPL in the wild, school break programs, website design classes, adult tech literacy classes and lunch in the library among others.
The focus for next year will include preschool programming, senior programming and youth programming.
The library also went into the community doing outreach. They visited Pioneer Lodge and Dr. Hemstock Retirement Residence and Hearthstone Place. They also expanded service to Jubilee Home and did delivery and pickup to Points West Living and Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre. Bin delivery was done by Border City Connects.
A collection development lead was hired in 2024 and the programming team was expanded. The focus for the following year will be expanding roles of library assistants and a new collective bargaining agreement will be negotiated.
Through some funding obtained from the city, the library was able to obtain a self-checkout machine.
“It’s new and up and running, we’re really busy at the library so the self-checkout allows people who don’t have time to wait to sign out their books to take care of that themselves,” said Sikora.
“It also allows for some privacy, not everybody wants everybody in their business, to know what kind of books they’re reading and what kind of support they need.”
The upcoming spring will also bring a new service from the library.
“Inside you can store about 200 books, in the spring of 2025 our on-location offerings at the library will offer borrowing services,” said Sikora.
The book bike will hit the ground offering expanded borrowing services.
In 2025, the library is looking at finding an artist in residence, building an active living library and expanding on location and school break programming.
They are dreaming big of potentially being able to add a kitchen, more seating, more shelf space and larger program rooms.
Coun. Michael Diachuk spoke about the energy Sikora brings to the library.
“I’ve never seen a librarian come and do a presentation and bring this energy, and I enjoy it,” he said. “I honestly believe that energy and vision is a big part of the success of the library.”
Diachuk acknowledges the location in the mall as part of the success of the library.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers also had high praise for the success of the library.
“We are, I believe the fastest growing library in Saskatchewan. Many compliments to yourself and your team as well as the board that has led to where we’re at,” he said. “Thank you for your efforts, please that with your team and let them know that we appreciate it.”
Read more: Lloydminster Library continues work to municipal status
