Red Deer Public Library is celebrating 110 years of promoting literacy and defending the rights of readers.
CEO Shelley Ross said the library takes pride in its very large, very balanced collection, and appreciates the continued support of those who understand that while they may not want to read a certain book, others who want to should have the opportunity.
“That piece of our mission is really important to us,” Ross said.
“There have been book challenges for 110 years. We expect more, and it means we’re doing a good job. We’re really collecting materials for everybody, ever taste, every interest,” said Ross at the downtown branch on Tuesday where birthday cake was served near displays of photos of the library’s history.
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Last year people made 500,000 visits to the local library’s branches, 300,000 of those to the downtown branch.
There are over 26,000 library memberships to individuals and families.
Ross said the library probably played a more critical role in providing information a century ago, but today it’s still important for the same reasons to those without the Internet, and people looking to trim their budget. For a free library card, residents can access books, thousands of physical DVDs, online movies, shows and music, and more.
“Instead of taking your children to McDonald’s play zone and having to buy them fast food to give them a place to be, come to our children’s department and play with the toys or borrow the toys.”
But regardless of income level, the library remains a community resource that Red Deerians choose to use, she said.
“They all meet here enjoying the same services.”
Most recently library services have expanded to the Collicutt Centre.
“We are seven months into our Collicutt branch experiment. It’s looking good so I suspect we will make that a regular fourth branch.”
Ross said library’s birthday is also an opportunity to celebrate how important volunteers have always been and will continue to be for the library. More than 300 volunteers do everything from delivering books to home-bound residents to the adult literacy program which is in huge demand. Over 100 people are waiting to be matched with an English-speaking volunteer.
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This week the Society of the Friends of the Red Deer Public Library is hosting its Spring Book Sale with a huge selection of gently used books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and more.
The Friends Members Preview Sale happens on April 24. Memberships can be purchased at the preview sale at $10 for an individual, or $20 for a family. The public sale runs April 25 to 28. For more information visit rdpl.org/friends.
Society president Lesley Caddy said the society stocks the books that are for sale on the main floor of the downtown branch, and has organized book sales for 20 years.
“People donate books just about every day and that’s what we sell. We donate books as well to about 25 non-profit groups,” Caddy said.
She said it wasn’t planned but the book donation trunk is located near the book store which can be tempting for those dropping off donations.
“Maybe they think: ‘I have a bit more space on my shelves. I’ll go buy some more books,’” she said with a smile.
Last year the society donated $30,000 to the library.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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