In an increasingly connected world, the Squamish Public Library remains vital.
The library's Community Input Survey is currently underway to ensure the facility remains a place people want to be.
Library administrators are looking for a range of voices to chip in their vision.
To encourage participation, each week a prize draw will take place with the winning survey participant receiving a limited-edition trucker hat.
The survey will wrap up on Nov. 2 with an evening of family-friendly activities at the library's annual open house, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Grand prizes will be drawn at the open house: a Sea to Sky air tour, dinner out for the family, and a basket of goodies from local businesses.
"The survey takes about five minutes to complete," said Squamish Public Services librarian Andrea Hoff.
"The feedback will help set and meet goals in our strategic plan."
The mayor, council, and members of the local cultural and nonprofit sectors have been invited to the annual open house, and with activities like tech displays, book mini golf, and a graffiti wall, the open house will have something for everyone.
Hoff said one of the library's ongoing goals is to help raise awareness of some of the library's services people may not know about.
"Libraries are so much more than warehouses for books. In our world of evolving technology, increasingly rapid information, and issues such as fake news making headlines libraries play an even more vital role in society. They are places where all people have equality of access," she said.
Current programming includes family storytime, a teen library club, a sounding room program for members of the LGBTQ community, and speaker series.
A seniors outreach program sees a librarian travel weekly to care facilities in the area to bring books and resources to those who can't physically visit the library.
"Book-a-librarian" is a personalized service where patrons can book a librarian for a 40-minute session to help with personal research and skill development in anything from technology, to job resumes, to creative projects.
The library also offers access to language databases, video learning programs, financial and health planning, and even has a robotics program. Hoff said moving forward, outreach and collaboration with the Squamish Nation that address truth and reconciliation will be another focus.
"Each part of the library has a story to tell," Hoff said. "The library is a place where navigating information and the skills to access reliable sources is part of the job and part of what we share with every person who uses our library — be it in person or online," said Hoff.
While the way we receive information may be rapidly changing, Hoff stresses one thing.
"Libraries are evolving in tandem," she said.
The Squamish Public Library's Community Input Survey is available on the library's website, squamish.bc.libraries.coop.
The library's annual open house takes place Nov. 2 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. . It is a free event and all are welcome.
