Hi Everyone,
Here is the latest update from Surinder.
Reminder we are having a Health and Safety Meeting on Tuesday at 7 pm. Send any H&S related questions to me at cupe40202saa@mail.com
As always, please send any questions to any members of the union executive.
In Solidarity,
Sandra
From: Bhogal, Surinder <Sbhogal@surrey.ca>
Sent: 29-Jul-20 4:32 PM
To: SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY <SURREYPUBLICLIBRARY2@surrey.ca>
Subject: Message from Chief Librarian: Planning for Level 3 and Activities Report
Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all keeping safe and healthy. I’m away again this Friday and wanted to send a quick update for your interest:
July 27 Town Hall
Thank you to all those that were able to join, and apologies for the tech issues. City of Surrey IT has posted has a page for MS Teams on CityNet which includes troubleshooting tips. Much of the problem-solving needs to happen on a case-by-case basis so I encourage you to call the Help-Desk with tech issues. If you were accessing from an iPhone or iPad, apparently there is currently a global issue with MS Teams on iOS devices and Microsoft is working to resolve it. We will compile the questions and post the Q&A for your reference later next week.
Level 3 Planning
The Labour Management Committee continues to meet weekly, and the Health & Safety Committee has also been meeting to plan for reopening branches on September 9.
- Safety Plan is almost complete and includes review by Library H+ S committee, City Risk, City OHS and Fraser Health. We still have a few more revisions and plan to share it with all staff by the end of next week.
- Branch managers are working with Facilities to prepare spaces – occupancy levels calculated; installing plexiglass on service desks; scheduling H+S committee walkthroughs to review WorkSafe BC checklist
- Recall letters sent to 60 staff, with return to work date of September 1.
- Schedules and staff training plans underway.
Library Activities Data
We are required to report library activity levels to the EOC. I’ve included this week’s report below for your interest as we have some impressive numbers! Kudos to the team who pulled this report template together very quickly – you know who you are! J
Takeout Service – offered at 6 library locations from Tuesday-Saturday. 4,645 requests processed and 27,414 physical items borrowed in 21 days of service.
| Branch | CC | CV | FL | GL | NE | SE | TOTAL |
| Jun 26 – Jul 4 | 198 | 188 | 195 | 241 | 237 | 389 | 1448 |
| Jul 5 – 11 | 158 | 121 | 166 | 183 | 189 | 282 | 1099 |
| Jul 12 – 18 | 177 | 128 | 151 | 187 | 176 | 213 | 1032 |
| Jul 19 – 25 | 157 | 102 | 148 | 206 | 188 | 265 | 1066 |
| Total | 690 | 539 | 660 | 817 | 790 | 1149 | 4645 |
Phone Calls – daily calls have increased to an average of 192 phone calls per days open from 181 phone calls per days open from previous week, over triple the daily average prior to the takeout launch.
| Branch | CC | CV | FL | GL | NE | SE | TOTAL |
| Jun 26- Jul 4 | 92 | 92 | 118 | 101 | 150 | 158 | 711 |
| Jul 5- 11 | 150 | 143 | 88 | 117 | 178 | 243 | 919 |
| Jul 12- 18 | 160 | 111 | 120 | 118 | 184 | 213 | 906 |
| Jul 19 – 25 | 237 | 57 | 111 | 131 | 199 | 223 | 958 |
| Total | 639 | 403 | 437 | 467 | 711 | 837 | 3494 |
Email Service –Patrons send questions directly to libraryinfo@surrey.ca or through a ‘Contact Us’ web form. Since June 26, the library has responded to 2201 messages, an average of 105 emails per day.
Online Programs
Due to COVID-19 and subsequent closures, the library launched online programs to address social isolation, promote connections in the community, while continuing to advance strategic objectives. Programs include pre-recorded videos hosted on YouTube and ‘live’ programs with registration through MS Teams. Programs for youth include story times, sensory activities, homework tips, STEM activities and book clubs. Adult programs include English Conversation Circles, Literature Club for Seniors, book chats, and online presentations for community partners. Programs were scaled back in July to prioritize takeout service launch.
YouTube Video Views
June 5: 3,000
July 14: 19,468
July 20: 20,278 (537 views in the past week)
Ebook Usage
| Checkouts | 2019 | 2020 |
| February | 37,884 | 43,587 |
| March | 41,602 | 52,266 |
| April | 40,194 | 64,247 |
| May | 40,655 | 70,496 |
| June | 40,982 | 66,076 |
| New Users | 2019 | 2020 |
| February | 533 | 569 |
| March | 563 | 1,202 |
| April | 545 | 1,946 |
| May | 526 | 1,048 |
| June | 556 | 897 |
New users = users new to the service who borrow or place a hold for the first time
| Unique Users | 2019 | 2020 |
| February | 7,489 | 8,840 |
| March | 7,771 | 10,166 |
| April | 7,738 | 11,976 |
| May | 7,827 | 11,879 |
| June | 7,864 | 11,253 |
Unique users = number of distinct different users who borrow, place a hold, or make a request (i.e. if I borrow 4 items it will only be counted as 1 unique user)
Thank you all for your great service in these trying times. Wishing you a safe and happy long weekend!
SURINDER BHOGAL | CHIEF LIBRARIAN – SURREY LIBRARIES