SUNDRE — As a not-for-profit community service provider, the local library has endeavoured to adapt to the pandemic to ensure the continued delivery of programs that are important to many patrons.
Karen Tubb, manager of the Sundre Municipal Library, recently brought the town's municipal council up to date.
“I’m going to ask, ‘How are you?’” said Tubb, in starting her presentation.
“It’s a question I ask dozens of times every day — patrons, family, friends, checking in and checking up on them. What I’ve learned is that most people I’m asking are physically well. But more and more, I’m hearing about how tired they are,” she said, citing all of the mandated public health measures as well as the pandemic’s impacts on people’s lives as a growing source of exhaustion for many.
Mental health, she continued, is very important.
“According to the government legislation, meeting community needs is the reason libraries exist. At Sundre library, we take that purpose very seriously, and found most of our energy is focused around supporting the mental health of people in the community and creating positive opportunities for them.”
To illustrate how the library has adapted and helped its patrons adapt, she outlined a number of highlights from the initiatives undertaken over the past months. Those efforts have included a range of activities including traditional in-person programs such as the pre-school Rhyme and Rhythm as well as craft sessions like kite making that have been designed to accommodate Alberta Health Services guidelines, she said.
“And where possible, we’ve moved some of our activities outside, and those have been very enthusiastically subscribed to as well,” she said, adding lots of positive feedback was received following a scavenger hunt as well as a Halloween haunting on Snake Hill.
Additionally, she said the library has been putting together monthly surprise kits featuring all of the materials needed to complete crafting activities as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) projects.
“We get over 60 requests each month for those kits," she said.
And with the holidays around the corner, she said the the library is also working to deliver Christmas activities.
“All of those activities are created with the idea of providing families with activities that promote positive interaction and laughter and creativity,” she said, adding library staff have been “so heartened from the response that we have from the families that are taking advantage of those.”
Additionally, as the economy recoils and struggles to recover from the shock of the pandemic, jobs can be hard to come by these days, she said.
“People are looking hard or trying to find an opportunity, and so every day we have people come through our doors who are job searching.”
Sometimes, they require assistance preparing and submitting resumes and cover letters, she said, adding that the library’s faxing service has been “invaluable for people submitting government applications for things like CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) and other COVID-related programs.”
Of course with so much happening online during the course of the pandemic, she said the library has also been providing assistance to people who come in seeking assistance using their new digital devices to learn how to meet virtually with friends and family using apps and programs like Zoom and FaceTime.
The trend towards increased consumption of digital materials has not subsided, with self-professed reading addicts who have decided to limit their time in stores and libraries asking for help accessing e-resources, she said.
“This year, I put a significant amount of our collections budget towards purchasing e-resources as well, trying to update it and make sure that people have access to new and current titles," she said.
Meanwhile, she added that when the library is not open to the public, the facility is able to provide meeting space for a variety of community groups.
And with winter essentially upon us, she said equipment for outdoor activities, such as snowshoes and trekking poles, are available for anyone who might be interested in trying those out.
The library’s board also recently approved its nearly $225,000 budget, which was included in the bundle of information provided in council's agenda package. Although actual 2019 revenues are down from previously projected figures, a substantial reduction in expenses combined with a one-time grant from the Shell Legacy Fund is expected to more than offset the shortfall.
Following Tubb’s presentation, Coun. Richard Warnock inquired if items like the snowshoes are available simply by being a member.
“That’s correct, it can be checked out for three weeks with your library card,” replied Tubb.
Expressing gratitude, Mayor Terry Leslie praised the library staff's ongoing efforts to provide a variety of services to the community during a challenging time.
“A big, bright light in the community is what you are to all of us,” said Leslie.
Council proceeded to carry a motion approving Tubb’s report for information.
Tubb gave a similar presentation to Mountain View County council on Nov. 25.
