Nunavut Public Library Services

Nunavut Public Library Services (NPLS) is the public library system serving the citizens of the Canadian territory of Nunavut.

Administrative structure and history

Nunavut was established as a Canadian territory in 1999 when it separated from the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Nunavut Public Library Services operate as part of the Division of Culture and Heritage in the Nunavut Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth (CLEY).

In May 2006, the NPLS opened its new headquarters in the Kivalliq region community of Baker Lake.^[1]

Community profile

Nunavut is the largest and newest Canadian territory; Nunavut means “Our Land” in the Inuit language, Inuktitut. The Inuit make up 4/5 of the population of Nunavut; the rest of the citizens are of European descent.^[2]

Of the 32,227,000 inhabitants which comprise the communities of Canada, only 29,600 live in the territory of Nunavut; this population is spread over the territory’s 808,185 square miles (2,093,190 square kilometers, or 1/5 of the country).^[3] The land and its location are a factor in Nunavut’s low population density; in fact, Nunavut is one of the least populated areas on earth.^[4] The area comprises two parts: a mainland in the Canadian Shield and the islands in the Arctic Archipelago; the majority of the land lies within the Arctic Circle, above 66°30’ north latitude, with the northernmost being Grise Fiord at 78°.^[5]

With snow and ice covering much of the area throughout the year, there is no farming, and the construction of railways and highways to connect the cities and settlements is impossible. Major supplies, including food and fuel, are brought in by air or sea. The geography has also imposed limitations on the creation of traditional communication infrastructures, such as cables and wires for phone and internet connections. Add to this the fact that there are four official languages spoken--Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French--communication of information in this population can be a challenge.^[6]

Despite the isolation and dispersion of the population, modern technology has increased the ability of Nunavut residents to interact and receive information from the rest of North America. Until recently, Nunavut relied on expensive satellite technology for internet communication. In 2005, cheaper broadband services were established in some areas by the non-profit Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation; there is a plan in place to connect most communities to broadband communication in the next few years.^[7]

However, traditional barriers to information access still exist. There is no university in Nunavut (although post-secondary education is available at Nunavut Arctic College), and the rate of high school graduation is exceptionally low. There is a 20% unemployment rate, and the federal government provides 100% of the operating costs for the territory’s public and civic services.^[8]

These challenges provide the Nunavut Public Library Services with an important role to play in acting as a center for information and resource for learning. As the local branches demonstrate, they do this creatively and in conjunction with other territorial and private institutions.

Collection

The libraries which comprise the Nunavut Public Library Services offer traditional print materials such as books and periodicals, as well as computer-based electronic resources, educational and commercially-produced films on VHS and DVD, and sound recordings.

As many public libraries do, NPLS has its catalog records created out-of-house. Their catalog records are created in MARC (MAchine Readable Cataloging) by the Library Services Centre of Kitchener, Ontario. (http://www.lsc.on.ca/). Once the items arrive at the headquarters in Baker Lake, their catalog records are imported into the online catalog, and mailed to the libraries for circulation. .^[9]

The collection of the Nunavut Public Library Services is available to search online at: http://www.nunavutlibcat.nu.ca/. Searches can choose from basic keyword searching to advanced searches. This online catalog also allows users access to other Nunavut libraries, including the Law Library of the Nunavut Court of Justice, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Library, and Nunavut Arctic College Library.

The Nunavut Public Library Services website (http://www.publiclibraries.nu.ca/catalogue.html) has a section, "New Arrivals," which publicizes newly acquired materials. The site offers in-depth descriptions of the new resources and informs users which libraries will be carrying the item. This section also reminds patrons that if their community library is not receiving the item, they can check it out using the Books by Mail program (see below).

Community services and programming

The Nunavut Public Library Services serves its community by providing traditional and innovative information services. The libraries lend resources, provide interlibrary loan services, create community programming, offering computer and periodical resources, and hosting educational programs.

An example of community-based programming is the “After-School Homework Club” at May Hakongak Community Library (http://www.kitikmeotheritage.ca/exhibits.htm) in Cambridge Bay ^[10]. Run entirely by volunteers, the Club offers children the opportunity to work on school and art projects guided by high school students. The program began as a response to the community's need for affordable after school care. However, according to one study, this program has become much more: it not only improves literacy rates among Inuit youth, it extends the tradition of Ilippallianginnarniq, the Inuit approach to intergenerational learning^[11].

The commitment to traditional communication techniques is also seen in the library's creation of the May Hakongak Community Library Reading Tent. The tent, painted by local artists and volunteers, was to serve as a site similar to those elders would recognize as a gathering place. The tent is used to promote storytelling and reading, and is also used during community events.^[12]

The May Hakongak branch also facilitated the creation of an oral history center where visitors can listen to community members recount their experiences. The interviews were conducted, transcribed, edited and translated by community members of all ages, making this an intergenerational project. Once the project was finished, and the center created, the library saw its circulation rate rise from an average of 300 borrowed resources per month to over 1000. Some of these interviews, available in Inuinnaqtun and in English translation, are stored as mp3’s, and are accessible over the internet via the Library’s website: http://www.kitikmeotheritage.ca/exhibits/elders.htm.^[13]

The Iqaluit Centennial Library offers a variety of programs that focus on literacy. Working with groups such as the Nunavut Literacy Council and the City of Iqaluit, the library offers a summer camp for reading, a pen pal program, and a story time event coordinated and performed by drama students at the Inukshuk High School. The Library encourages public service by offering high school students the chance to earn graduation credits in exchange for library work. ^[14]

The Donald Suluk Library frequently serves as a resource to students in its community. One recent example is the support it provided to students at Levi Angmak Iliniarvialaaq Elementary School, assisting with a unique student-created website. The Arviat Iglu Web Site (http://collections.ic.gc.ca/arviat/enghome.html) features igloo-building demonstrations and a collection of elder oral history interviews conducted by the students. The project incorporated many priorities of the community: in addition to emphasizing and honoring traditional skills, the children were also learning how to work with new technologies. ^[15]

The Thomas Tapatai Library connects with the National Film Board of Canada for a series of free screenings during the month of October. Every Thursday night, community members can view films and documentaries produced by the renowned film board; the films are chosen for their relevance to the viewers' experiences, and often take place in northern Canada and feature Inuit protagonists and practices.

In addition to movie night, the Tapatai library coordinates a diverse array of events which promote reading and community-building. In addition to weekly "Family Literacy Fair" nights, where parents and their children come to do activities and win prizes, the library offers a Storytelling Festival, a reading club for children ages 7 to 14, operates a Scrabble league, promotes their reference services with "Go Ahead, Ask a Question!" nights, holds regular "story time" sessions, and hosts a yearly open house and bake sale during Canada Literacy Month.^[16]

Many of the Nunavut Public Services Libraries serve as Community Access Program (CAP) sites. The CAP program, funded by the Canadian government, aims to provide Canadians with free access to the internet. In addition to providing the computers, libraries assist patrons with learning the skills for navigating the web, and retrieving good information from it. This program is particularly important for ensuring that adults in the communities can continue to engage in lifelong learning. There is evidence that by bringing the computers into libraries, other resources are accessed; in 2001, the Iqaluit Centennial library noted that an increase in patrons for the computers increased the circulation numbers as well.^[17]

Books by mail

With groups of communities spread out over a large area, and a digital infrastructure which is still being developed, the materials offered by the Nunavut public libraries are not easily accessible to the entire community. For those who do not have a library in their community, the books by mail program is a reliable way to ensure they have access to information resources.

Those who sign up for this program can either sign up for regular shipments, or check books out on an item-by-item basis. Materials for the book by mail program can be requested by mail, by fax, by phone or by email. Borrowers can check out up to seven books, three magazines, two audiocassettes, two documentary films, and two compact discs at a time. The materials can be loaned from between four and six weeks, depending on the type of resource. The cost of the postage is paid by the NPLS.

The materials provided by the book by mail program do not have to be part of the Nunavut Public Library Services catalog; they can be part of our library systems who have Inter-Library Loan agreements with the NPLS.^[18]

Funding

The Nunavut Public Library Services receives its primary funding from the CLEY, but it also has created excellent and rewarding relationships with a number of private and public organizations, who fund important projects. Funders include: ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Calm Air International, Community Access Program - Industry Canada, The National Film Board of Canada, the TD Summer Reading Club, and TechSoup.^[19]

Branches

The libraries which comprise Nunavut Public Library Services exist in three communities: Qikiqtani, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot.

Qikiqtani

• Ikpiarjuk Public Library in Arctic Bay, NU
• Clyde River Community Library in Clyde River, NU
• Iqaluit Centennial Library in Iqaluit, NU
• Qimiruvik Library in Pangnirtung, NU
• Rebecca P. Idlout Library in Pond Inlet, NU

Kivalliq

• Donald Suluk Library in Arviat, NU
• Thomas Tapatai Library in Baker Lake, NU
• John Ayaruaq Library in Rankin Inlet, NU

Kitikmeot

• May Hakongak Community Library in Cambridge Bay, NU
• Kugluktuk Community Library in Kugluktuk, NU

References

1. ^ "About Nunavut Public Libraries." Retrieved October 12, 2006 from http://www.publiclibraries.nu.ca/about.html
2. ^ Nunavut. (2006). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved October 17, 2006, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://search.eb.com.libproxy.lib.unc.edu/eb/article-9119561
3. ^ Canada. (2006). In Encyclopaedia Britannica World Data Analyst. Retrieved October 17, 2006, from Encyclopaedia Britannica World Data Analyst Online: http://world.eb.com.libproxy.lib.unc.edu/wdpdf/Canada.pdf
4. ^ Nunavut. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
5. ^ http://www.gov.nu.ca/Nunavut/English/about/ourland.pdf
6. ^ Ibid.
7. ^ Nunavut Broadband Home page http://www.nunavut-broadband.ca/index.htm and Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation. (2003). Nunavut Broadband Business Plan for Implementation Funding. http://www.nunavut-broadband.ca/PDF/WebNBDC_BusinessPlan_ExecSum_03061.pdf
8. ^ Government of Nunavut Human Resources. http://www.gov.nu.ca/Nunavut/English/about/hr.pdf
9. ^ Email received from Taryl Gura, NPLS Librarian, October 19 2006.
10. ^ Kim Crockatt and Suzanne Smythe. (2003). Building Culture and Community: Family and Literacy Partnerships in Canada’s North. http://www.nunavutliteracy.ca/english/resource/reports/building/cover.htm
11. ^ Ibid., p. 2.
12. ^ Ibid., p. 9.
13. ^ Ibid., p. 7.
14. ^ Nunavut Literacy Council. (2004). Literacy Programs that Work: Sharing Knowledge and Experience. http://www.nunavutliteracy.ca/english/resource/reports/litprog/16.htm
15. ^ Cara Bafile. (2001). “Students Use Technology to Preserve Inuit Heritage.” http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech096.shtml
16. ^ "Thomas Tapatai Library Schedule for October 2006"; received from Taryl Gura, NPLS Librarian, October 18, 2006.
17. ^ Hill, Miriam. (2001). "Internet Access Brings Surfers to Library." Nunatsiaq News, June 22, 2001 edition. http://www.nunatsiaq.com/archives/nunavut010630/nvt10622_17.html
18. ^ NPLS: Programs and Services: Borrower by mail
19. ^ NPLS: About

External links

• Nunavut Public Library Services website
• Nunavut Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth (CLEY) website