Library connections

Posted on January 28, 2014 by 40 Mile Commentator

By Cassie Weiss

The Redcliff Public Library was a bustling place on Saturday, as the weekly Lego at the Library brought in children and adults of all ages. But it wasn’t the popular children’s toy that had people talking as they walked through the front doors.

Always looking for new and improved ways to promote the library system, Friends of the Library opened up the doors of the library’s boardroom, to host Library Connections, and event geared toward raising awareness of not only the library, but also other fun winter activities in the local area.

“We brought together a bunch of partners and organizations to promote family winter activities and options for the rest of winter,” said Lisa Weekes, a member of the non-profit organization.

Explaining the great partnerships with both Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park and Police Point Park, Weekes also mentioned a link between the Medicine Hat and District Horticultural Society and the Redcliff Public Library.

“We also have the Redcliff Special Needs Parents Group, as well as the Leisure Centre. All these organizations came out today and are providing information on their programs, schedules, offerings for winter activities.”

According to Weekes, the Friend’s group is there to promote the library, but it is also so much more, trying to show that the library is a community center hub.

“With a day like this, with partners like this, it is excellent. As our Friends of the Library group was organization different ideas, we thought we needed to promote ourselves and our partners to the community. As a friends group we decided to put the invitation out there, see who would be interested in partnering with us.”

Holding a 50/50 draw, as well as giving away door prizes, Weekes stated the ultimate goal for the Friends group is to support the services and programs of the public library, but to also show the library is equally a part of a group of community organizations.

“We want to show the library isn’t just about books, but about being a source of organizations and information.”

Running Library Connections from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., Weekes was quite happy with the amount of traffic coming in, from just regular book and movie rentals, to the families coming in for Lego fun.

“We expect a lot of foot traffic. One of our other goals is fundraising for the library. We hope that today will raise more awareness than actual dollars, but certainly it helps the Friends group. It helps us get our contribution when we are applying for grants.”

Although Library Connections was just one day, Weekes said that there is always ample opportunity to learn about the Redcliff Public Library, and the Friends of the Library group is always looking for more volunteers. If anyone is interested they can contact the Redcliff Public Library.