The manager of the Penhold and District Library has been nominated for a Women of Excellence Award.
Myra Binnendyk has been working for the Penhold library for about 10 years, starting initially as a part-time employee and quickly taking on the job of library manager. She thinks her work helping build the library was the reason the Town of Penhold submitted her nomination for the award from the Red Deer and District Community Foundation.
“I think you just work hard in your community,” Binnendyk said.
Binnendyk said when she first started the library was small.
“It wasn't used to the capacity I envisioned it could be used to,” Binnendyk said. “I could really see the value of the library.”
Since then the library has grown from its small stature to occupying its new home in the Penhold Regional Multiplex, complete with activity tables for kids, programs for adults and youth and more.
“People come into the library and meet friends here,” Binnendyk said. “Penhold and District Library is passionate about community.”
Binnendyk said she thinks leading the library's links to other organizations in the area helped get her nominated for the award.
Those links are seen in examples like a playschool that comes in to use the library, which the staff then hopes to turn into their parents using the space.
“To me, it's part of healthy living,” Binnendyk said of the library's role in a community. She said that the lifelong learning a library offers is an important part of life right along with exercise.
“The library is a wonderful opportunity and resource,” Binnendyk said. “For me it's just been a passion.”
Penhold town council were the ones who decided to nominated Binnendyk for the award.
“Myra has been a tireless worker for our community,” said Mayor Dennis Cooper. “Both young and old, she's reached out and helped develop our library into a special place for families.”
Cooper said Binnendyk has helped grow the library for not just Penhold but the surrounding area.
“I can't say enough good things about Myra,” Cooper said.
The Women of Excellence Awards are being held on June 12 in Red Deer. Binnendyk is one of 28 women nominated for an award, and one of eight nominated in the community building division.
