Standard library is ‘making a difference’

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

Standard Municipal Library recently received Marigold Library System’s Making a Difference award which recognizes and celebrates excellence and innovation in library service.
According to Kristine den Boon, Marigold’s library services consultant, the award acknowledges a library and team who are proud of an achievement in an area such as programming, outreach, advocacy and public relations, partnerships and innovative use of technology.
“The Standard Municipal Library embodied the concept of innovation for their Making a Difference Award application this year by providing a unique program to the children in their community,” said den Boon.
Last summer, 13 children and four adults visited Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, led by Adreena Duffala, Standard library manager, where they were treated to a guided tour, and drumming session with traditional songs, complete with a round dance by cultural program coordinator, Clinton Turningrobe. Highlights of the adventure included bannock cheeseburgers for dinner, a nature walk to the river and sleeping in tipis. The field trip was funded through a grant provided by Wheatland Family and Community Support Services (WFCSS) which offers funding to non-profit and/or community groups.
“This program exposed community members to another culture and gave them an understanding of those who are different in terms of race, family composition, religious beliefs and ability, giving them an open-mind to learning about and experience other cultures” noted den Boon.
Each year, Marigold Library System presents awards to a small, medium and large library in one of four categories: community benefit, excellence in service, innovation and excellence in advocacy.
The awards are given out annually at Marigold’s member libraries’ workshop in May. The Marigold advocacy committee determines the award recipients based on the criteria.
This isn’t Standard Municipal Library’s first award – in 2015, the library received the Making a Difference Award for excellence in service. That year, Duffala hosted over 100 programs with over 1,000 participants. Programs offered included weekly movie matiness, tween/teen crafting, story and craftivities, kidz can cook, sewing classes, video conferences, summer reading, pumpkin carving party, and a Christmas open house with Santa.
Duffala said being recognized is important. “We are able to showcase what a rural library can do. It increases our visibility and creates a greater awareness of how vital a library is,” she noted. “It shows our growth, and commitment to increasing and promoting library awareness and usefulness in the community. It acknowledges the hard work and dedication that is spent by everyone involved.”
Standard library continues to engage the small community through monthly programs and yearly fundraisers, including a spring market, a summer golf tournament and a fall community supper. “We partner with other local groups and are always open to suggestions on new programming, endeavouring to implement programs that suit the needs of the community,” said Duffala.
She added the library offers opportunities to be involved, including acting as a board member, participating in library programming and fundraisers, donating time and skills, and joining Friends of the Library fundraising group.
“Talk to your library staff and board about specific community needs (and) let your legislators know that your community library is a valuable and necessary part of your neighbourhood,” said Duffala.