Community Spotlight: Strathmore Municipal Library

Chelsea Dyck 

SAY Times Contributor

 

One important service that is provided for Strathmore’s citizens tends to be overlooked. The Strathmore Municipal Library is important to our community because they ensure information and programming is accessible to all. The library has something for everyone! In addition to fiction and non-fiction books, the Strathmore Municipal Library has audio books, DVD’s, e-readers, and TV shows that you can use in the library or sign out to take home. They have a set of Victer readers, which read books aloud to you. For the younger generation, the library supplies Tumble books, which are e-picture books for kids. The library also provides students in grades three to 12 access to Solaro, a study program that is made by the producers of the KEY study guides. On the technology side of things the library has free Wi-Fi for all its patrons, disc cleaning, and free access to computers (which all come equipped with Minecraft). For those who do not have a scanner or fax machine at home you can go to the library to copy or send important documents. If you find technology intimidating, the Library employs a technology tutor to help equip people to new gadgets. Many people have never used a computer before so this experience can be life changing for them. Rachel Dick-Hughes, Director of Library Service, said that she had one couple come in that were completely amazed about how they can now find anything they want on the internet. The Strathmore Municipal Library has a myriad of programs available for citizens. They offer story time and a program called Baby Goose aimed at the ages zero to one. Everyone is welcome to Crafternoon on Mondays at 4 p.m., Lego every third Saturday, ‘Get Your Game On’ every Friday, and movies on Fridays when there is no school. One highly recommended program is the summer reading program for children and youth. Dick-Hughes told me that one mother came to her in September in regards to her son who had attended this program. The mom was ecstatic that her son had advanced five reading levels in one summer and said her son had gained a new confidence in reading from this summer program. Dick-Hughes reports that this improvement is common for program participants. Libraries are no longer just about information; they are about learning. The library makes everything accessible to Strathmore citizens. You can visit the library at 85 Lakeside Blvd. or call them at 403-934-5440.