Projects&Priorities

Key Projects Completed in 2022

Website Redesign

The library’s new website launched in April 2022. It features quick links to make it easier to get to the most popular online services with only one click. Library-to-Go, the digital material collections, expanded to include digital versions of thousands of magazines in addition to e-books and digital audiobooks.

Reading Room and Idea Lab Opened

Elaine’s Reading Room, for anyone who needs a quiet space to read, study or work, opened to the public in May 2022. It was named to honour the memory of Elaine Karras, founder of the Friends of the Cranbrook Public Library and a library trustee who passed away at the beginning of 2022. Opened in October, library members could use the Idea Lab’s equipment, after an orientation session, to learn new

Top Projects/Priorities 2023

Business Continuity Plan

A business continuity plan will enable the library to minimize disruption of services, modify service levels or switch to alternate service delivery models in response to emergency situations and extreme weather events. It will make it possible for the library to continue serving our community during times of emergency.

Strategic Plan

The Library Board will undertake a planning process to develop a new strategic plan by the

Top Projects/Priorities 2024-2025

Permanent Public Technology Coordinator

After over a decade of relying on various grants to offer tech training to people, the library plans to finally create a permanent position. In addition to continuing to offer existing tech training, this will enable the library to offer ongoing, regularly scheduled technologyrelated programs such as coding workshops, computer basics courses, and digital literacy sessions.

Increase Amount of New Material in Collections

People rely on the library to access a broad selection of both physical – books, magazines, skills and create their own projects. The Idea Lab offers access to a sound recording booth, digitization equipment, video editing station, mobile film mini-studio, digital illustration workstation, and 3D printer.

Expanded In-Person Programs end of 2023. The new plan will provide a roadmap to ensure the Cranbrook Public Library continues to evolve to meet the needs of our community and to deliver high-quality library services and programs.

In-person programs finally returned in 2022, with a twist. In addition to resuming regular programs within the library, programs in the park and in partnership with other organizations continued and grew – Summer Reading Club in Rotary Park, Wine & Paint, Storytime at the Cranbrook History Centre. To find out what’s happening at the library, people can check the website, subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter, and check the library’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Library Exterior Revitalization

The library will continue to work with the City on the Library Exterior Revitalization project to make its entrances safer and more welcoming to all who visit. The focus in 2023 is to finalize the design and work to secure grants to make the plans reality.

films, audiobooks, topographical maps – and digital material. The library plans to increase the number of new items is gets in both formats to meet the interests and needs of our community.

Celebrate the Library’s Centenary

The Cranbrook Public Library is turning 100 in 2025. Plans are underway for a series of events and activities to celebrate a century of service and to look forward to the next 100 years.