INNISFAIL - Tara Downs wants citizens to know in their hearts the Innisfail Public Library is about more than just books.
It is a place where people can truly gather to meet, chat and exchange ideas. They can even talk about the weather. Kids can ride their bikes to the library to play board games, or they can simply just hang out if they want. Yes, the public library is much more. Call it the community living room.
"That is what you want to create. We want to create an inviting space for people to come to relax, participate in the programs and socialize," said Downs. "You want it to be approachable, that is the way people are going to get there and stay there. It's not just a place to check out books."
Downs is the new manager of the town's public library. She officially assumed that role last May 1 after working the previous year as the library's youth and adult programmer. A month later she was joined by Lindsey Budd, a native Innisfailian, who was recruited out of Okotoks where she served that community's library as the teen program coordinator. Budd is now the library's new assistant manager.
"Reading and books have always been an important part of my life. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at the Mary Morton Library here in Innisfail," said Budd. "Libraries are so much more than books now; libraries are places for the community to gather. I am excited to be back in my hometown and to play a part in making this beautiful building a vibrant community hub."
And that is exactly what Downs aims to do, especially for new arrivals to town.
"For me a library has always been that first touchstone when moving into a new community," she said. "For me it has always been a place, a resource you go to find information to meet people to learn about the community. I hear that story over and over again.
"It is a place where people are still drawn to," added Downs. "Some people don't believe that because they believe the internet has taken over, but that does not replace social interaction."
She believes a focus on social interaction, along with a steady creative flow of programming for all age groups, will be key to ensure the library continues to grow as a community gathering place.
"We have a ton of e-resources. We have homework helpers. For school-age children we are starting in September a kind of homework group where kids can come and not just do homework but they can socialize, so they can get that contact," said Downs. "There are a lot of kids out there even this summer who are going to be home alone. I would like to see them come to the library to get out of their homes to meet with other people and engage with other people."
And then there is the town's seniors' community. Downs and staff are equally committed to serve Innisfail's elderly population. She has already visited the Lundgren Centre as the new manager, and reiterated the message the public library is always available to help, especially when it comes to transportation issues.
"A lot of them are not capable of walking," said, adding there is money set aside through a FCSS grant to provide transportation assistance for seniors. She added there is also a library outreach policy to help those in need, including getting desired reading materials to seniors.
"It's all about outreach now. A lot of libraries are doing it. You just can't be the building of books. You need to build relationships. You need to reach out to people," she said. "We will try new things, see what works. We are not here to serve our needs. We are here to serve the community's needs. We have to identify what those are and build our programming and services around that."
For more information on the public library visit ipl.prl.ab.ca or call Downs at 403-227-4407.
