Smoky Lake Library provides a variety of services, even during Covid

The Smoky Lake library serves Smoky Lake Town and County and became an official library when the Town of Smoky Lake passed a by-law to establish a public library in 1944. The library has moved locations within the municipality several times over the years and in 1994 moved into its current building.  In the mid-1990s, the library was one of the first libraries to join the Northern Lights Regional Library System, one part of seven regional library systems in Alberta, which gives access to a combined inventory of materials to all patrons. The system provides a gateway to information services province-wide, including some academic libraries. The library offers an essential service to  community and the county residents with all the different media available.

These days, the library is open to the public five days a week. It has much to offer: besides print material, there are audiobooks, DVD’s, as well as a wide range of e-resources, access to consumer reports, language classes, recipes from around the world, CELA (library services for patrons with print disabilities) and an online resume builder- that does not even cover it all.

Typically, the library has five public computers, but due to Covid restrictions, only three are currently in use. There is also a pre-school computer. Even when the library is closed, patrons can still access the library wifi outside.

In addition to the library manager, Lise Vandervaart, the library employs a programmer, Susannah Eldridge, who runs two storytime programs on Wednesday mornings (age group 0-6) and an After School program on Thursdays (age group 7-12) from September to June. During the summer, she runs a Summer Reading Program. She occasionally organizes other activities: Paint Nights, StoryWalks, and a Fairytale PopUp Park.

On the last Monday of the month, the Book Club for adults is attended by one of the board members. Again, due to Covid, the Book club does not meet in person at the moment.

The library has set up successful partnerships with Smoky Lake Community Learning Council and the Smoky Lake Family Resource Centre in providing the “6-weeks to…” programs, which are take-home kits with instructional videos on social media. The Community Learning Council has used the space for infant massage and Rhymes that Bind.

Memberships are typically $20, but in 2022 they will be free. Looking forward, the library is hoping to establish new partnerships within the community and provide even more services to the community.