SUNDRE – When coming up with a theme to celebrate the Sundre Municipal Library’s milestone 75th anniversary, the manager ultimately selected the final frontier.
“Libraries really open up a universe of possibilities and so space seemed like a perfect fit,” said Joy Willihnganz, adding she’s heard from readers who’ve shared personal stories about how one single book in turn led them to one title after another along an exciting learning journey they’d never expected to embark on.
The birthday bash, held Wednesday, Dec. 11, spanned over the better part of three hours and started off with a crash course on the stars that introduced children to constellations by providing printed patterns they could follow as they connected toothpicks with marshmallows, which afterwards also proved a popular treat.
Next on the docket was a presentation by Sundre High School science teacher Kris Kowaliuk, whose enthusiastically passionate lesson about astronomy – which covered a myriad of subjects from gravity to space-time relativity – captivated the imaginations of the children who later bombarded him with questions that he was all too pleased to answer.
Kowaliuk said science fiction and science tend to go hand-in-hand, with the former often going onto inspire the latter. He also mentioned a few of his favourite titles including movies like Interstellar and books such as Ender’s Game as well as Project Hail Mary – all of which are available at the library, where even a telescope can be borrowed.
Following a brief break to enjoy some birthday cupcakes, conversations and an opportunity to fill out a library history trivia challenge as well as contribute to an interactive art installation exploring what the library might be like in another 75 years, Willihnganz recounted not only the facility’s but also Sundre’s history that reaches all the way back to 1909 when the post office first opened.
Among the pivotal highlights that ultimately paved the way for the first library in Sundre were the efforts of the local Women’s Institute that was formed in 1917.
In 1939, the hamlet had nearly reached a population of 200 people and 10 years later, the library first opened its doors at the Sundre Women’s Institute Hall with a humble collection of books coming from both local donations as well as through service from Toronto Hospitals. The library was open only once a week.
By 1950, Sundre became a village, the fire department was established, the area experienced its first major oil boom, and just six years later the town was incorporated.
All of that growth meant the library found itself needing more space. But after relocating into an old home economics building that had been moved by the town to a concrete foundation near the town hall, it was discovered the floor couldn’t adequately bear the weight of all the books and so the library was again moved into a new space at the fire hall.
The community continued to grow and in 1976, the library was moved into the basement at Wild Rose Court, which was the town’s first government-sponsored residence for seniors. In 1980, the library became a member of the Parkland Regional Library System, which not only opened access to a greater range of books but also increased available funding.
Fast forward a little more than a couple of decades when the town’s population had reached more than 2,500, and the 2006 construction of River Valley School that came along with the opening of the Sundre Community Centre led to the library’s current location, which is home to a collection of a little more than 20,000 items.
Following her presentation, which was also attended by mayor Richard Warnock and several members of council as well as library board members, the manager opened the floor to anyone who wanted to share some thoughts.
The mayor said Sundre has a reputation for volunteerism, which he attributed to people being made to feel welcome by the multitude of community organizations that depend on their help.
Coun. Chris Vardas called the library a root of Sundre that enables the community to further branch out.
George Waldern, the board’s new chair, said the first thing he and his wife Lisa did when they first moved to Sundre in 1999 was to find the library.
“It kind of gave you a homey feeling,” he said, adding they were made to feel welcome and comfortable.
“We loved it.”
The biggest thing that makes a community is the people, and that’s what makes Sundre stand out, he said.
Recognizing all of the history that others who came before were a part of, he added “the people here today are also making history.”
