The pictures painted by statistics gathered during Snapshot Day at the Innisfail and Penhold libraries last month were accurate according to the library managers.
“It was fairly typical,” said Laurie Hodges Humble, the manager of the Innisfail Public Library.
For Innisfail, the numbers showed 87 visitors, six reference questions, 20 computer users, three programs running and 32 program participants.
Programs that day included a chess club, genealogy workshop and storytime.
Innisfail's Snapshot Day was held Oct. 9, and the multiple programs helped the library reach normal numbers despite the photos being taken, she said.
“People are very camera shy,” she said.
Numbers for the Innisfail library are up, she said. Since opening in its new building in January, 1,002 cards have been sold as of Nov. 16. Last year, before the library shut down in early November for its move, 296 cards were sold for the year.
Hodges Humble credited the attractive new building with the 706-card jump.
“It's far more inviting,” she said.
In Penhold, Snapshot Day was Oct. 19. The statistics show 108 visitors, three reference questions, six computer users, and four programs with a total of 69 participants.
Myra Binnendyk, the library manager for Penhold and District Public Library, said the numbers were “absolutely” typical, especially on the day where the popular Sharing Exploring Educating Discovering and Singing (SEEDS) program is on. There were three rounds of SEEDS on Snapshot Day.
“It's an awesome program,” Binnendyk said. The program is open to children aged zero to five. Binnendyk said it's as much for the parents as it is for the kids.
The other program that day was a craft table and cake wrap-up for Snapshot Day.
She said the six computer users seemed a bit slow for a usual day.
Visitors also had the chance to write comments about the Penhold library. One patron said the library is an “Amazing place of learning and creativity! The staff are so welcoming and it is a place I imagine coming for years. My children will grow up knowing the Penhold library.”
