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Sooke library branch is a gem in community building

The Sooke branch’s unique architecture and diverse programming help boost usership

Sooke Library. Photo: Courtesy HDR Foundation

To mark its second year in operation, Ben Hyman, executive director of Vancouver Island Libraries is highlighting one of the newest branches in the regional library network in Sooke. Hyman has a lot to brag about.

At its May 13 council meeting, Hyman spoke to District of Sooke Council about how things were shaping up. The library won the 2022 Merit distinction for the Capital Region Commercial Building Awards. With its stunning round construction with locally sourced timber, fireplace lounge and welcoming spaces, its aesthetic was a likely factor in a 32% jump in memberships since it opened. 

District of Sooke councillor Al Beddows said, “It helps having a brand new shiny building. It stands out. I think people seek it out and it has a great deal to do with your success. It’s very welcoming.”

The 13,412-square-foot branch on Wadams Way contains a solar shading device to prevent solar heat in the summer and allow heat gains in the winter. But it’s not just looks that count. Hyman reported that the Sooke branch has the third largest collection in BC behind Vancouver and Surrey. 

Hyman said the library gets 80,000 visitors per year, 6,700 per month, and roughly 220 visitors per day. The branch has hosted a total of 348 events from poetry contests to seed swaps. It also holds regularly scheduled community classes and workshops. 

While 40% of user transactions happen online, 38% of Sooke residents have a library card. “It’s great uptake for public service” said Hyman, but he’d like to see that uptake reach 50%. Hyman showed council a usership tracking map, indicating visitors to the branch are coming from as far west as Port Renfrew and Jordan River. 

He spoke to the importance of libraries to communities, pointing to a 2023 report from the Canadian Urban Institute (CIU) called Overdue: the case for Canada’s public libraries, that speaks to how libraries are increasingly finding themselves “the triage centres on main streets and in downtowns.” All staff at the library now receive trauma-informed care training and naloxone training as well as on issues affecting the unhoused. 

“This is about making sure people are well supported and seeing ourselves into the future,” said Hyman. And the community benefit of having free and public access to libraries is a two-way street. 

The CIU found that “during the hours that libraries are closed, there is a rise in criminal activity. Community members become increasingly hesitant to spend time downtown for fear of being victims of crime. Small businesses near the libraries see a decrease in foot traffic, threatening their viability.” Libraries also work to reduce other less obvious harms.

District of Sooke Councillor Tony St-Pierre asked about how the library was working to counter the amount of misinformation received over social media. “Librarians are a pretty trustworthy sources for asking questions. How are you helping the public make their way through a morass of information?” Hyman’s answer is in helping improve literacy levels. Four in 10 adults in Canada struggle with literacy on a daily basis. That includes literacy in the critical analysis of media and information. “It’s a really depressing number since literacy is the key determinant of health,” said Hyman.

Literacy is  also a factor in national economic well-being. 

“Libraries have the potential to significantly impact Canada’s literacy, numeracy and digital gap. A 1% increase in adult literacy could create an annual economic benefit of $67 billion for Canada, the equivalent of approximately $1,800 more in the pockets of each Canadian every year,” said the CIU report.

For its community value add, the library is an under-funded asset. That’s not unique to Sooke. According to Hyman, Canada is in the bottom eighth of funding for libraries in the G8 community. Hyman’s numbers point to a glaring gap in resources and rising program demands as the library broadens its role as key municipal social infrastructure. 

The majority of the Sooke library’s funding—95% of it—comes from multiple local governments municipal taxes which accounts for $32 million of its revenue, and is broken down at $65 per capita for Sooke and the CRD. 

The library no longer counts on late fees as a source of revenue. “We removed all fees and fines other than if you lost the book or it’s damaged you still pay. It was disproportionately affecting those folks without the funds to pay the fines and it was really an inhibitor and not in alignment with the values of the org or a mandate under law which is free and accessible,” said Hyman.

Hyman is hoping to increase funding sources with increased collaboration with outside organizations, school districts and First Nations. “We recently entered into a sublease agreement with CBC. It’s not a natural partnership and yet these are the times we’re in.” A CBC photographer will be occupying office space at the branch through the sublease.