Medicine Hat Public Library

Medicine Hat Public Library is a public library located in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. It has over 14,000 annual members throughout Medicine Hat. It is a member of the Shortgrass Library System and The Alberta Library.

Medicine Hat Public Library
Medicine Hat Public Library
Established1915
LocationMedicine Hat, Alberta
Coordinates50.04059°N 110.68096°W / 50.04059; -110.68096
Branches1
Collection
Items collectedBooks, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines, newspapers, online resources[1]
Access and use
Members11,616
Other information
DirectorKen Feser
Staff46
WebsiteMedicine Hat Public Library
Map
View of the inner atrium

Backing onto the scenic South Saskatchewan River, the library is located across the street from the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre and next to the Court of Queen’s Bench on First Street S.E. in downtown Medicine Hat.

Services
  • Any public library patron in good standing at any Alberta public library can borrow materials
  • Information and reference services
  • Access to online resources e.g. Hoopla (movies, TV shows, eBooks, audiobooks, comic books, etc.), Press Display (eNewspapers), Zinio (eMagazines) Consumer Reports, Mango Languages, etc.
  • Community information including genealogy resources (Ancestry available for use inside the library)
  • Internet access including wireless
  • Reader's advisory services
  • Programs for children, youth and adults
  • Delivery to homebound individuals
  • Services for print-disabled and people with vision impairments
  • Interlibrary loan
  • Free downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks

General information

The dual-level facility, renovated in 2008, features a children’s library, dedicated young adult section, adult fiction, movies, music and audiobooks on the upper level. The main checkout, self-checkout kiosks and the Information & Memberships counter are located on this level as well.

The lower level is home to the reference collection, adult non-fiction, periodicals, microfilm readers and public computer terminals. The 180 seat theatre and both the Honor Currie and Legion meeting rooms and training room are also found on this level.

In 2015 the Medicine Hat Public Library celebrated 100 years of service in Medicine Hat. To recognize the significance of the library to the community of Medicine Hat, Mayor Ted Clugston declared November 21 as "MHPL Day."

Partnerships

Medicine Hat Public Library is a member of "The Alberta Library", a province-wide system that allows access to material from every member library in Alberta.

Energy conservation

The City of Medicine Hat installed a one kilowatt solar electric system on the roof of the library during the summer of 2006. The building now draws part of its electricity from the solar panel.[2] Power generation from the 1 kW solar panel array is performing as expected.[3] The historical measurements of the solar array are within expectations consistent with theoretical calculations used in methods provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.[4] In the first 5 years of operation, the solar array generated 5-6 thousand kWh. Not considering upfront capital and installation costs, the total associated electrical energy consumption savings are approximately $600–800 over the same time period. The amount of electricity generated can also be viewed in real time.[5] The project cost approximately $15k.

Statistics 2015

Library In-person Visits: 247,894
Items Borrowed: 210,409 items circulated 527,159 times
Library Members: 14,809
Programs: 654
Program Participants: 19,149
Public Internet Use: 23,907 sessions
Reference questions Answered: 5,996
Volunteers: 315 donated 1,433 hours

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References
  1. "Resources Management Policy" (PDF). Medicine Hat Public Library. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  2. "Protecting our environment at MHPL". Medicine Hat Public Library. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  3. "Medicine Hat Library Board Minutes June 2007" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  4. "NREL PVWatts". National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  5. "Alberta Solar Municipal Showcase". Climate Change Central. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
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