I have had a library card with the PGPL for years and am there quite often. Despite that, prior to the tour we got, I did not know about the variety of resources the library offered for regular patrons and for teachers. I appreciated the tour of the different sections of the library from the easy section to teenagers to adults.
One of the ways the PGPL provides value for teachers is getting books into the hands of their students. I did not realize that they would give the kids a library card on a class trip to the library. I think that this is a great thing to do and it is important because it may be the only opportunity for kids to get a library card. In relation to that, something that is of value to both teachers and their students is that the PGPL is a fine free library. That is another thing I did not know about the library and it is beneficial because it takes the stress off of being penalized if you cannot get the book back at a certain time. It is especially helpful for students who may not be able to get there. The PGPL also provides free homework help to kids through their Homework Help Program which I think is a valuable tool. It gives kids an advantage in areas where they may need a little extra help without having to spend more money.
Another way that the PGPL provides value for teachers is the variety of resources and tools it contains within the space besides books. I really liked the fact that they have kits to check out that relate to different topics. I didn’t realize that they had those resources to check out but it is a great way to bring in a physical component to the lesson without having to buy materials. The BC One Card would be beneficial to have especially if you end up on practicum or teaching outside of Prince George. It allows you to still have access to all of the materials without having to sign up again or get a new card. A final resource that stuck out to me as being helpful for teachers is their book searches. Teachers can provide a topic that they would like books for and the library will pull as many as needed for the teacher to look through so that they do not need to spend the time searching.
Overall, the PGPL houses multiple resources that are of value to teachers. I am glad that we got to participate in this tour because I had no knowledge of most of the things the library will do for teachers and students. It has definitely become a place I will go to for materials when I am teaching.
