A hub of activity in Turner Valley isn’t slowing down.
Staff and volunteers at the Sheep River Library have big plans for its 2,675 members this year, including more programs, services and guest presenters.
“We are trying hard to establish a reputation where we are a community hub,” said library manager Jan Burney. “If people want to run something we are often the first place they ask.”
The Sheep River Library opened its doors in Turner Valley almost five years ago, replacing a smaller facility in Black Diamond. The library hosts various weekly and monthly activities such as hiking groups, seniors’ fitness classes, book clubs and has poets, authors and wildlife specialists come in to speak.
“It’s really thrilling when people come in and learn a new skill or produce a piece of art because of the confidence it creates in people,” Burney said. “It’s always great to see people who didn’t get out much before and are quite lonely develop some fabulous friendships. Their socialization has improved, their fitness has improved. It’s very exciting when there’s an impact we see in people’s lives.”
In the last 12 months, library membership increased by 15 per cent, program attendance grew by 34 per cent and programming was able to expand by six per cent, but was limited due to an already full schedule.
A recent addition to the Sheep River Library is the Solaro curriculum support program, an online resource that offers study guides and homework help in all major subjects for Grade 3 to 12 students.
Burney said the library provided a free membership to Oilfields High School students so they can access Solaro at no cost.
The library board also has plans for seniors. It applied for grants to buy storage cupboards, tools and materials that can be borrowed by seniors so they can fix things around the house or take part in hobbies such as woodworking and scrapbooking, Burney said.
“The whole philosophy behind this thing is people are downsizing as they are aging,” she said. “They get rid of things they aren’t using a lot so we would have these things here for people.”
The board also applied for $25,000 in grant money to purchase a screen projector, sound system and lighting to aid with its growing number of presentations, particularly the popular Out Loud series, which brings in authors and presenters in October and attracts audiences as large as 100 people, said Burney.
This year, the library will continue offering monthly and weekly activities ranging from tai chi to art classes for children. Among the new additions this year is a conversational French group, said Burney.
Informative presentations planned throughout 2016 will range from wildflowers of Banff National Park to how to build a snow shelter, or quinzee, she added.
The Sheep River Library will continue to be a hub for tourists in Turner Valley after the Visitor Information Centre in Town closed last year.
The Town of Turner Valley is providing information about area businesses and activities to tourists through the library temporarily until a permanent centre is established. The previous centre was operated by the Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“We have fully taken on that role for the Town of Turner Valley,” Burney said. “We will have information here year round. We are on the highway, we have parking, bathrooms and Wi-Fi and we are open six days a week. Our library staff can help people find things.”
On March 19, staff and volunteers at the Sheep River Library will host an anniversary celebration of its fifth year. For more information about programs and events go to sheepriverlibrary.ca