Red Deer Archives has been the keeper of historical documents and information about the city for 60 years — and that’s worth celebrating.
This month when people call Red Deer Public Library’s free, pre-recorded Lit Line, at 403-342-9100, they will hear a different trivia question each day about Red Deer Archives, 60th birthdays and anniversaries, and Red Deer to salute the 60 years that the archives has served the community.
“This is the first time the Red Deer Archives has partnered with the RDPL for Lit Line, and we hope it’s not our last. I think Lit Line is a great way to share some of our knowledge about Red Deer and archives, and to spread our 60th anniversary celebration to the community,” said Jillian Staniec, archives co-ordinator.
Red Deer Archives was established on March 24, 1964, and other anniversary activities will include an online exhibit featuring some of the staff’s favourite images, and a BIG Brain Takeover with BIG 105.5 radio.
“We want people to know that we have been here, acquiring and preserving stories and information for the community, for 60 years, and we plan to continue this work for many years to come,” Staniec said.
She said researchers from all around the world use the archives, but most researchers are local.
“People are often looking in the archives for local history, family history, or historical information about the city’s development. That said, we have also helped filmmakers making documentaries, students completing assignments, and local businesses looking for photographs.”
“The public can access some of our information online at our digital collection at reddeer.access.preservica.com. But that is only a small selection of our hundreds of thousands of documents, images, maps, and more, and the rest are only available on site. We are always happy to help researchers in person at the Archives & Records Centre in downtown Red Deer.”
The archives also shares local stories at facebook.com/TheRedDeerArchives.
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Launched in 2020, the library’s Lit Line was created during the pandemic to connect to those who couldn’t get out to the library and didn’t have Internet access.
“We were as close as a phone call away,” said Kim Whiting, public services assistant at the library.
“We continued the program and have had fun with it, and we hope the callers have had fun too.”
Lit Line has a different theme each month and a different recording each day. Although geared to Red Deer callers, a number of calls have come from different parts of Canada and the United States.
In 2023, there were 839 calls to Lit Line, and the most popular theme was a quiz to name a different country’s capital every day. That month there were 145 calls.
So far this year a hockey trivia quiz has been the most popular with 74 calls.
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Whiting said often Lit Line features a quiz or trivia, and the library especially likes to partner other groups in the community.
In June 2022, Red Deer Native Friendship Centre and the Elder John Sinclair recorded 30 Cree words so people could learn a new Cree word every day.
In September 2021, local poets Elena Rosseau, Sabrina Samuel, Elena Stalwick and Brent Talbot recorded readings of a few of their poems.
Next month, people will hear a different poem each day on Lit Line. In May, Asian Canadian trivia will be the theme, and in June callers can hear recommendations for day trips.
Whiting encouraged the public to reach out to the library with ideas to keep Lit Line themes fresh.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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