Many years ago a vacationing couple from British Columbia stopped at the Elnora Public Library wanting information about another locale.
The couple, Bob and Shirley Orrick, was asked if they had read, Stop the Car! Discovering Central Alberta. The couple had not. They borrowed the book and used it to plan a memorable holiday.
On their way home the couple returned the book. Staff was surprised, doubting the book would find its way back home.
For many years after, the B.C. couple, grateful for the assistance from the Elnora library, donated scores of books to the small-town institution.
“When we first visited Elnora, this tiny community had a population of less than 300 citizens,” said Bob. “The dogs and cats and cattle greatly increased the total number of residents, but those animals did not and likely will not visit the library, so it is left to the good people of Elnora to enjoy and support their community library.”
Those same good people in Elnora who delighted the B.C. visitors have a long-standing commitment for their library, which has a fascinating history.
For the past eight years the village council and the local library board, with the help of dedicated volunteers, have invested significant money and resources to ensure this vital small-town institution survives for future generations.
Last week the final touches were made on $45,000 of renovations made to the exterior of the library building, the old Fortunes' – McKenzie dry goods store that has its origins dating back more than 100 years. The cost of the exterior renovations is on top of the $72,000 spent in 2006 to redo the interior.
“We have gone from being the smallest library in the Parkland Regional Library system to being the best-looking one,” said Wanda Strandquist, library manager. “People walk in and they are amazed – the shelves match, the cabinets are all oak and the floor is laminated.”
The library's history began in the early years of the 20th century when Bob Fortune constructed the original building for his dry goods store on Main Street.
During the Second World War the Fortunes' store was demolished but a second dry goods store was ultimately constructed across the street by Art McKenzie, the husband of Beth Fortune, the daughter of Bob. The new store was called Fortunes' – McKenzie.
However, the new store was not to last and when Beth's brother decided to leave Elnora, the business could not be sold. The building stood abandoned for many years.
The building went into tax recovery and was taken over by the village, which operated a general store from the pioneer relic.
In 1973, the old Fortunes' - McKenzie dry goods store became the village office with part of the building set aside for a seniors' drop-in. The village also decided to reinforce the floor in the back part of the building. That section became the fire hall.
Seven years later the village council passed a bylaw that created the Elnora Municipal Library. The seniors' drop-in left and the building became home for both library and village office.
In 2004 the village council approached Cheryl Warren, now a member of the Elnora Library Board, about the library leaving the control of the village and becoming an independent organization.
“The library is now a separate board and not run by the village council,” said Warren.
Two years later, recognizing the pioneer building desperately needed a refit, plans were to gut the interior. While the village office moved to a new location the building received new wiring, plumbing and flooring. Oil companies, community organizations and a provincial Community Facility Enhancement grant covered the $72,000 cost.
“We stayed open the whole time during renovations,” said Warren. Seven years later the village then took up the task to fix up the exterior. The work includes new windows, a wheelchair accessible ramp and door and the rebuilding of the front of the building.
The Elnora Public Library, the former home of the venerable pioneer Fortunes' dry goods store, now sits noble and proud on Main Street as a vital community institution. The 966-square foot building has a 4,800-book collection, along with six public computer stations, to serve the needs of citizens in the village and surrounding area.
“The library is used a lot. It has become a really important information centre,” said Warren, adding that many volunteers contributed to the renovations as well as the ongoing day-to-day operations of the library. “We have an amazing support group of people here. It is really overwhelming.”
