Grant partnership should help Chinook Arch Library’s nearby library boards

The Chinook Arch Library Board is pleased to partner with local library boards to build thriving libraries and thriving communities.

In keeping with its mission to support libraries in delivering an excellent experience for local library users the Board has offered a one-time grant of $1,500 or a technology upgrade of equivalent value to each Chinook Arch member library.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on public libraries,” says DeVar Dahl, Chinook Arch Library Board Chair. “The Chinook Arch Library Board, which supports a network of cooperating libraries in southwestern Alberta, is pleased to be in a position to assist libraries with a grant that will allow them to continue serving their communities to the best of their ability.”

Libraries are thankful to be able to choose a grant that best-suits their current needs, and as seen below these needs vary greatly from library to library.

Both the Picture Butte Municipal Library and Raymond Public Library have chosen new technology purchased through the Chinook Arch IT department. Picture Butte has chosen three Google Chromebooks, while Raymond has requested a new PC with peripherals.

“The Chromebooks will be upgraded with hot spots and loaned to our patrons,” says Cheryl Garratt, Library Manager in Picture Butte. “Our small town and the surrounding rural community is home to many people who can’t afford computers and internet access. Internet access is especially important during this time of restrictions and will continue to be a necessity in the future.”

“We are using the grant to replace an old computer workstation for circulation,” says Faye Geddes, Library Manager in Raymond. “Keeping our circulation computers up to date helps us serve the community by having a computer that is reliable

and quick for checking books out.”

The libraries in Coaldale, Glenwood, Magrath, and Nanton gratefully accepted the $1,500 grant, with differing plans on how to put it to use in their library.

The Coaldale Public Library will be using the grant to purchase materials for their story walk trails in their community and using the balance towards their Wi-Fi Hotspot service.

“We continually look for new ways to promote the library in our community and are excited about the story walk trails,” says Dothlyn McFarlane, Library Manager in Coaldale. “We also know that internet access is more important than ever and our Hotspot service provides residents the opportunity to take part in education, entertainment, and other activities.”

Nikki Francis, Library Manager of the Glenwood Municipal Library explains how she the library board decided to purchase a new loveseat and chairs with the grant.

“The ones we have are pretty old and grungy,” says Nikki. “We hope with these, people will want to spend a little more time relaxing in the library, once we are open to the public again.”

New displays for shelving will be purchased for the Magrath Public Library.

“Our library has needed something to create attractive displays for the adults in the community, and these will help us create displays that are independent of the children’s areas,” says Stephanie Humphreys, Library Manager in Magrath. “We feel this is important because our location in the school can sometimes feel like it only caters to the children, but we are doing all we can to change that perception.”

The Nanton Thelma Fanning Library has expanded its programing area to offer wide-ranging and interesting public presentations. With the grant from Chinook Arch, they are planning to purchase a PA system to deliver more professional staging and offer better quality sound.

“This grant will allow us to host presentations and musical events in a well-planned venue, comfortable for the attendees and presenters, and we feel that this purchase will greatly enhance the over-all enjoyment for everyone in attendance,” says Gloria McGowan, Library Manager in Nanton. “The Community has been very supportive of the library and in the past, programs were well attended. I believe, with the improvements we have made, they will be even more popular.

“We are very grateful to Chinook Arch for this grant and for all of the help and technical support they provide. It is their expertise that allows us to offer the great services, resources, and programs to our community. “