OAC Friends of the Libraries dedicated to promoting local literacy

The OAC Friends of the Libraries has only been around for a few short years, but already it is having an impact, according to one of the driving forces of the non-profit organization.

Friends of Oyen, Acadia Valley, Cereal (OAC) Libraries was formed as a means for the municipal libraries in the three communities to jointly promote literacy and the value of libraries through a single organization.

Lois Bedwell, a retired librarian at both school and public libraries, said the purpose of the partnership is to assist with promoting literacy and the importance of community libraries, as well as help out with fundraising endeavours.

The Friends of the OAC (Oyen, Acadia Valley, Cereal) Libraries Society was formed in 2015 to provide a single entity that would promote literacy and the importance of the three libraries through one organization.

“We run as a separate entity that collaborates to help our libraries with fundraising and promotion,” said Bedwell.

Two of the municipal libraries are housed in local schools; Oyen Municipal is located in South Central High School and Acadia Valley Municipal in Warren Peers School.

“The schools have programming in the libraries and the libraries don’t have the huge overhead they would otherwise have,” she said, adding that OAC Friends of the Libraries will also partner with the schools for fundraising efforts.

The volunteers that make up the OAC Friends of the Libraries will help by organizing and facilitating the fundraisers, as well as raising awareness in the community about their programs and services.

One of their biggest fundraisers is working the casino in Medicine Hat, a fundraising opportunity that comes around about every 18 months. The fundraising helps with some of their ongoing programs and events.

Some of the projects they have been involved with include the annual Breakfast with Santa at the South Central High School library.

Besides having breakfast with the jolly ol’ guy, kids also listen to stories, take out books, and do crafts. The fundraiser typically draws about 100 local residents.

Each of the libraries also have book sales. Their Little Caesar’s Pizza fundraiser was started in 2017 and partnered the Friends of the Libraries with South Central High School to raise money for library programming and the school’s sports teams.

Besides encouraging community interest in their projects, OAC Friends of the Libraries also advocates community, government, and funding agencies for donations and grants.

The OAC Friends of the Libraries operates under an elected board and with the help of volunteers.

Bedwell said their membership is building and the organization now has 13 members.

Still, they are always looking for new members. “As a member of the Friends you will add your voice in support of the library and represent your interest in how we raise and spend money for the library.”

For information on becoming a Friend of the OAC Libraries, contact one of the libraries or Lois Bedwell at 403-664-2497, or email to oacfriends@gmail.com