Contemporary suburban library

Photo: Yasemin Tulpar

Newton Library in our neighbourhood is a spacious facility flanked by lush semi-tropical plants and a free parking lot that always has a space somewhere.

As well as a wealth of books, newspapers and magazines, this bright and beautifully designed building contains up-to-date computer equipment and lends out increasing numbers of CDs and DVDs. Recently, it has begun to lend e-books as well.

Other services include computer classes and story times for kids. Teen Central helps get young people involved with book clubs, contests, and volunteering, as well as providing homework help.

Career and job search resources come in all formats. Those interested in history and genealogy can research Canadian historical materials and those who want to brush up test skills can practice for driving tests, typing tests, Canadian citizenship tests and more.

The Surrey Public Library system has a variety of materials in more than 15 languages. Examples are French, Spanish, Punjabi, Arabic and Vietnamese. Branches choose their foreign language holdings based on the ethnic makeup of the neighbourhood using the facilities.

Of course, there is inter-library loan service available, and it is easy to request a book from a home computer and pick it up at the branch of choice for up to a week after the email announcing its arrival. The library also sends email reminders a few days before books are due. Patrons can renew on line and avoid accruing fines.

We've come a long way from ancient libraries such as those in Ugarit, Ephesus and Rome, but the principle remains the same: collecting and organizing knowledge in a central place where it can be freely shared.