Libraries receive READ Awards
Chinook Arch Regional Library System recently announced the winners of the eighth annual Rewards of Excellence and Distinction (READ).
READ Awards recognize and celebrate Chinook Arch member libraries who have displayed excellence in the areas of: service, collaboration, innovation, and community benefit. The Chinook Arch Marketing and Communications Committee recognized six libraries at a dinner held at the Southern Alberta Library Conference March 2 at the Lethbridge Lodge. The READ winners included: Claresholm Public Library, for its Expanding Our World Program; Pincher Creek Municipal Library and Crowsnest Community Library for Classic Camping and More: Libraries and Alberta Parks Working Together; Glenwood Municipal Library for its Best Kept Secret – Let the Cat Out of the Bag Presentation; Lethbridge Public Library for its Kids’ Kindness Club; and Taber Public Library for its Low German Mennonite Story Time.
The Expanding Our World program was designed to break down barriers and eliminate discrimination by introducing people to different cultures and ideas.
The Classic Camping program makes camping equipment available for public borrowing via the library.
The Village of Glenwood Library Board prepared a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the services of the Glenwood Municipal Library that was presented to different community groups in the Glenwood and Hill Spring area.
Lethbridge’s Kids’ Kindness Club came from a recognized need to build resilience in young people in the community. Activities thus far have included placing handmade bookmarks into books about depression and grief, mailing postcards with positive messages to seniors’ homes, and giving away free hot chocolate, popcorn, and chocolate to library patrons.
Taber has a growing Low German Mennonite population and a need for programming geared towards that community was identified. During the summer of 2017, Taber Public Library hosted a weekly story time program in Low German.