WE’RE OPEN!
November 17, 2009 at 12:47 am 6 comments
The new Tommy Douglas Library had its soft opening today and staff report a high level of activity. Borrowers are queuing up at the new self-checkout machine and snapping up our new “playaways” – MP3 audiobooks that allow you to just plug in your earbuds and play a book. Excited children are exploring the new kids computers (8 of them), study areas and realia benches. Adults are enjoying the light and colour, the comfortable seating, the plentiful computers and the ability to borrow books, DVDs, etc from their local branch once again.
Come on in and experience it for yourself! (and be kind to our harried staff…it’s really busy!)
The Kingsway Staff
Entry filed under: Building progress, Opening. Tags: First day.
1.
Christine Manzer | November 17, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Well done! It was a treat to walk through yesterday and to try out the stack-end OPAC terminals. The presence of this new building has added such a colourful touch to our ever improving neighbourhood. Congratulations Deb and all your staff.
2.
edmondslib | November 17, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Hi Christine – Thanks for your kind comments. Yes, we’re quite proud of the new branch and its various features. I’m pleased that you like the stack end OPACs. Our aim was to make the new branch user-friendly and it sounds as if we have succeeded in this aspect. I hope you also had a chance to try out the new self-checkout terminal!
Some first day figures:
Foot count – over 1600 people
Checkouts – over 1100 items borrowed (nearly 400 checked out on the new self-checkout)
Deb, Deputy Chief Librarian
3.
Yasmin Jamal | November 18, 2009 at 3:53 am
Congratulations and best wishes to all the staff of Tommy Douglas Branch. Each and everyone of you has played a role in this truly magnificent building. I hope you are all feeling very proud! I hope to visit you one of these days.
Special congratulations go to Roberta and Deb!
4.
edmondslib | November 18, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Thanks for your kind comments, Yasmin, and especially for acknowledging Branch Manager Roberta Summersgill for her hard work. Her ability to remain calm and cheerful over the past two months while preparing for and implementing the move and the settling in to the new branch is to be admired. Kitty Younker, Senior Clerk, also deserves special recognition for her dedication to efficiency and order and her management of our RFID conversion process. And of course all of the Kingsway staff who have soldiered on through the chaos of moving and getting the new branch in order – and continue to offer excellent public service in a much busier branch.
Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief Librarian
5.
Peter Kefalas | November 18, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Stopped by the library and was very impressed! This will be a great addition to the neighbourhood. Keep up the good work!
Peter Kefalas, BELLA
6.
edmondslib | November 18, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Thanks Peter. The City of Burnaby was definitely thinking about this new branch as part of a revitalization of the neighbourhood – along with other new construction and the planned renovation of the Eastburn Community Centre.
Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief Librarian