There’s a lot for Penhold and District Library members to celebrate over this week. And it starts today at 12:30 when library employees will receive 50 children’s book to add to the collection. The library was recently selected for the honorable mention prize from the Centre for Family Literacy for the work done during the Splash! Celebrate Summer contest, part of the TD Summer Reading Club offered at libraries in seven Alberta regions.
“We’re excited,” said Myra Binnendyk, library manager of the number of books they’ll be receiving.
Libraries were encouraged to submit their reading club activities along with photos and entries were judged on their success in capturing the theme of the contest, how they engaged families in the activities and how they used reading, writing, singing, talking, rhyming and playing in their activities.
This Friday, marks the 30th anniversary of library services in Penhold.
“It’s come a long ways,” said Bennedyk of the transformation of the library that started out in a 340 square foot space in the Penhold Memorial Hall in November, 1981. Led by a group of women, the library was open 16 hours a week and offered membership for $.25. The library offered 1,600 books and patrons could check out as many as four per every two weeks.
The library joined Parkland Regional Library system, to take advantage of interlibrary loans.
By 1984, the space had reached capacity, and with the help of the Lion’s Club grant, the library was able to move into the Independent Order of Oddfellows Hall, allowing for 1,440 square feet.
Renovations were completed and furniture was purchased. The grand opening was in June, 1985.
The location, planned to be sufficient for the next ten years but was used until July 2010, when the library moved to its current location within the Penhold Multiplex.
During the 25 years at Oddfellows, membership numbers increased in 2009 to 696 in a community of 2,114. Programs for youth, young families and working and retired adults were offered and the collection included 11,733 resources.
“Our influence over the years has grown from community to community and district to community, district and regional,” writes Binnendyk. “”The Penhold Regional Multiplex is busy with a captive audience using the facility and our doors and welcoming spirit are open to encourage the reality that libraries area a great place to connect with your family and community. Many activity centers, quiet spaces and a Wii station promote this healthy interaction for our community, district and people visiting from the region. This is an exciting new chapter for Penhold and District Library.”
Patrons are invited to attend the library for celebrations Friday at 4p.m. Friday also marks, Snapshot Day, a provincial initiative that asks patrons to take a picture of all of the things a library does in a single day. People are asked to visit 10 a.m. to 5p.m.
