In 2023, the library continued to navigate a stalled renovation and resulting space challenges for the second year in a row.
Despite that, the team at the library delivered service to patrons and visitors, with an average of 6,000 visits a month, preschool story time programs, school tours, author visits, STEM programming, and adult programs of all kinds.
In addition, the library circulated approximately 70,000 items over the course of the year, an increase of four per cent over 2022. A huge thank you to City of Revelstoke Public Works, Troy Biggs in particular, and Absolute Contracting for the heroic efforts to get this project over the finish line.
Highlights from the winter included hosting several author visits, including local authors Laura Stovel, Alan Dennis, and Doug Meyer.
Also notable was a visit from author, wildlife biologist and environmentalist Douglas Chadwick, presented in partnership with Wildsight Revelstoke.
The library worked with many other local organizations in 2022, including the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative, Revelstoke Early Years, Community Connections, Shuswap Settlement Services, Okanagan College, Revelstoke After School Society, School District 19, Revelstoke Parks and Recreation, Revelstoke Bear Aware, the Indigenous Friendship Society, Parks Canada, and all our local museums.
Our partnership with local museums and National historic sites resulted in a super fun meta scavenger hunt activity over the summer, with donations of prizes and free admission for families.
We were also grateful for our partnership with Revelstoke Parks and Recreation this summer, who provided us with a venue for the Okanagan Science Centre’s planetarium, as well as magician Leif David’s always popular show.
Over the summer the library acted as a cooling shelter, with many activities available to people taking a break from the heat.
The biggest highlight of the summer, however, was the day Cornerstones daycare came to the library after reading all 100 books on our list of books to read before kindergarten.
We were so happy to celebrate with them, and so grateful to the exceptional educators at Cornerstones for their commitment to literacy.
In the fall the library participated in Revelstoke’s first Truth and Reconciliation event by placing the story walk “When I was Eight” along the route of the march that was held that day in Revelstoke.
We were excited to support Bear Aware week with stories, a book display, and many activities.
We welcomed all the kindergarten classes in town to the library with cards, tours, and story times. Along with the rest of the Okanagan Regional Library, we did a library card drive and welcomed MANY new members to the library.
As we wound up our year with a patron, partner, and volunteer appreciation event on Saturday, we had the chance to reflect how grateful we are to our community for your daily support.
The library is a fun and wholesome place thanks to all of you.
Contributed by the Revelstoke Library