The Library and Learning Commons fosters active, close, collaborative working relationships with all of its communities – the College, other post-secondary institutions, the library profession, and Vancouver residents. These community connections were apparent in the various collaborative events hosted this year, as well as fundraising and awareness campaigns spearheaded by library staff.
Langara College's year-long celebration of 49 years on 49th Avenue culminated with a Community Day festival, featuring two entertainment stages, 11 event zones, 70+ activities, food trucks and headlining band, 54-40.
The Library contributed to many activities, including a Library Open House & Human Library, a selection of books by Langara authors as part of the Langaran Lounge, a children's reading nook, and a storytime event with Ryan Vernon, Library Department Chair. The Library's display cases were transformed to provide a window into the Library's history and future. The Library also issued over 50 free community borrower cards (normally $15) as part of the successful event.
After a fire in the T Building on April 1, 2019, the Library opened its doors to campus neighbours, housing staff and faculty who were left without office space while repairs were completed. The L108 and L109 labs were converted into temporary workspaces for staff members from Registrar & Enrolment Services. Staff also worked to find space in the L Building for instructors to hold exams and developed workarounds for students to access computers and printers while the Library's computer labs were occupied.
In 2019/20, Langara launched an Indigenous Upgrading Program (IUP) in partnership with Musqueam. The objective of the program is to develop an upgrading curriculum that facilitates successful transition to post-secondary studies, while incorporating Musqueam knowledge and learning/teaching methods. As part of this process, library staff liaised with Gathering Space staff regarding Library & Learning Commons supports and services for Indigenous Upgrading Program participants. Library staff led a library tour for the program's first cohort and prepared a handout for program participants outlining relevant services. Participants were also issued a free community borrower card.
To facilitate easier access to popular library resources, the Library provided copies of first-year Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology textbooks, as well as a copy of the Langara English Test (LET) Guide, to be housed within the Gathering Space. The Gathering Space was added as a new item location within the Library's catalogue so that students can easily locate items in the Gathering Space collection. Members of the Library's Technical Services team also worked throughout the year to expunge outdated, inaccurate, and/or colonial terminology referencing Indigenous peoples from the Library's catalogue.
Library staff members worked with the Pacific Autism Family Network to organize a two-hour job shadow for their EmploymentWorks Canada (EWC) program participants. Several staff members gave lightning talks on their job roles and participants received hands-on experience with sorting books by call number and withdrawing books from the collection. The program coordinator reported that one of the participants discovered their knack for sorting and categorization during the job shadow and found employment in the records management field shortly after the visit.
Librarians continue to be active in the program review process for their liaison subject areas. As part of the program review process, librarians contribute a report that provides an overview of Library & Learning Commons supports and a statistics dashboard that highlights department usage of library services and resources. This year, librarians contributed to reviews for Recreation Studies, Latin American Studies, Design Formation, and Psychology.
Throughout 2019/20, library staff served on a variety of College committees, including: