“We hope that our new place will become a focal point in the community, and that the public finds it a place that is always open and welcoming and where there is always something new to discover.”
Sarah Snihurowych, Interim Library Co-Director shared her sentiments on behalf of Library staff following the work to move the library which was delayed by the August flood at the LloydMall.
Thursday January 27th saw the ribbon cutting with greetings from across the community as a twenty-six year journey to get the Lloydminster Public Library to a new home was complete.
Michele Duczek, Interim Library Co-Director paid tribute to former board chair Tony Knowler (deceased), staff member Brenda Finley (deceased) and longtime head of the library Ron Gillies who is presently on leave. She noted the inspiration that all these people have been to the library upgrade.
The new library features a wide selection of traditional print resources as well as a makerspace, a studio, meeting rooms, and spaces dedicated to teenagers and children.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers is also saluting the work of library aficionados like former mayor and councillor Ken Baker.
“Those people helped lay the groundwork to where we are today. As mayor and council, they approved this expenditure and thank you to the taxpayers; we take the credit today, but without the hardwork of people laying the groundwork beforehand, this would have never happened.”
Duczek shares on some of the activities to mark opening week including a story walk through the mall.
“Wandering through the mall, there are posters set up throughout the mall that leads you to here [the library]; and it tells a story. So they can read the story, follow along and come here finish the story, but it takes them through the mall, so we also want to highlight in partnership with the mall.”
There is also a scavenger hunt set up in conjunction with the Lloydminster Learning Council where participants can get a book and be entered to win the overall prize.
A few of the opening activities are being held virtually on the weekend like Storytime with author Ann Campbell. Also a reading from Marie Donais Calder and the Teen Anime Club Kickoff will be next Tuesday afternoon.
More information on the opening activities can be found on the library’s website.
MLA Garth Rowswell signalled the leadership of the mayor as he brought greetings from the Alberta government.
“In my time as an MLA, I’ve come to admire the dynamic leadership of Mayor Gerald Aalbers and his council. The significant funding in the region of 1.5 million dollars and years of steadfast encouragement, apparently 26 years to get it here; by council and Lloydminster Public Library management team to create this new facility, is a perfect example of that type of leadership.”
MLA Colleen Young in bringing greetings on behalf of the government of Saskatchewan welcomed the new library as a place of discovery.
“Books create a connection between the author and the reader. A bridge between the past and the present. It becomes more than just passing along information. Books inspire us to do better and be better. Think differently and welcome new ideas.”
Board chair Kristine Knourek in congratulating the library staff and the numerous collaborators on the project, underscored the services at the facility.
“If there has ever been a space that’s been more than a building, a place where Bilbo Baggins resides under the same roof as Atticus Finch and Hemingway is at home near Grisham; where the expanse of the internet, the mysteries of audio learning and the pleasure of a simple story book read aloud to children can live in harmony, it’s here at the Lloydminster Public Library.”
The new library will be following the LloydMall opening hours as well as the Saskatchewan public health guidelines.