Library offers something for everyone

By Linda Jensen Times Contributor

Baby rock ’n’ roll, 900 mysteries and improv – your local library might just be better than Netflix.
Indeed, Strathmore Municipal Library isn’t just a place to browse, read or borrow books.
“Libraries are more of a community hub, a place where people are happy and a place where happy people go,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director of library services and 10-year library veteran.
Erison added people want access to a variety of current resources, programs and services while building relationships. She said Strathmore Library has a contemporary approach to serving the community and its needs.
The library now has the new Smore Stuff Collection which gives library members the opportunity to borrow unique items without a financial investment. Some of the unique items include pedometers, a keyboard, a giant snakes and ladders game, a blood pressure monitor, life jackets and power tools.
In June, the library hosted a STEAM fair, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Developed as the Summer Reading Program kick-off event, children were invited to make their way around a selection of STEAM stations where they could code items or create their own robot mouse.
People can also come into the library to play board games or cards, match pattern blocks or build Lego towers, and even to knit.
Erison knows the importance of a library from her own experience. “I didn’t grow up going to the library; I wasn’t a reader,” she said. “In my twenties, I was drawn to the library. I realized what a library gives to the community and that was when I realized what I needed to focus on for my career.”
It takes good people to provide good programs. Jaden Frizzell is a high school student volunteer in the library summer program. She said she likes the drop-in idea for Monday programs and the volunteer opportunities it opens to 14- to 19-year-olds.
“It’s just such a good opportunity (and) positive environment, it’s great,” said Frizzell, who added she is cautiously aware of laying the groundwork for herself in terms of work and career. “The summer reading program is a good way to enter into the job force and find our career path. It builds confidence and independence, communication and responsibility. It combines relationship with connection and networking for the future.”
Programming coming soon to Strathmore library includes Adventure Day on Aug. 12 from 2-4 p.m. At least eight to 10 volunteers, along with FCSS and others, will set up stations for a predicted 100 children, ages five to 18. Although the stations are mostly indoors, an outdoor obstacle course is also planned, weather permitting.
According to volunteer Danya Wheeler, there are a lot of fun activities planned for Adventure Day. “Some of which are target practise, decoding, reading the signs, campfire songs and many more. Students are welcome to do all of the activities, or not.”
Participants will each get an adventurer’s handguide which will be stamped as they finish each station. Once all stations are complete, they will receive an expert’s explorer certificate.
Volunteer Morgan Bahan said she is excited about Adventure Day and all the programs available at the library. “It’s nice to see people bring their kids to the library,” she noted. “We’re very community oriented, especially for our drop-in days.”
More programming, events and services are all available at the touch of a finger, at strathmorelibrary.ca.