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Melfort library turns page on 90 years

Sep 8, 2018 | 8:00 AM

The Melfort Public Library will soon start a new chapter, as its 90th anniversary approaches this month.

Sept. 22 formally marks the library’s big anniversary, but with the Melfort Multi-K already happening that same day, the library anniversary celebrations were moved to this Saturday instead. Head librarian Penny Markland said she could not believe how many years have gone by.

“We quietly go about our business and do our work in the community, and even for us to realize it’s been 90 years is quite surprising,” she said.

Markland herself has been at the library for 30 years. She said the most obvious change she has seen is with the service they provide and the use of more computer automation.

“Years ago libraries were about books only, and of course we are still about books, but we are about much more than that now,” she said.

Markland said she is also very proud of the work they do in the community. The library’s summer reading program attracted over 250 kids this past summer, who read over 4,000 books. A computer coding class for kids will start soon, will support from a local non-profit.

“Things like that are really new in the community and they bring people into the library that maybe wouldn’t normally come to the library or think of the library,” she said.

The anniversary party celebrations run from 1-4 p.m at the library and will include games, a storyteller, a display about the library’s history and cake.

 

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @nigelmaxwell