Library More Stuff collections at capacity

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Municipal Library has utilized a grant they received from United Way to bolster their “More Stuff” collection.

According to the Assistant Director of Library Services, Carmen Erison, the additions have been about a year in the making and has allowed the library to offer pretty much everything that somebody might need.

“We’ve been building these collections for roughly about three years and in (time), we’ve seen it heavily used and we really wanted to bring more items into the collection, especially with us going (to) free memberships,” said Erison.

“The types of items that we have added to the collection are focused on helping patrons around the house, as well as for family members to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and just try something new.”

The collections include things from metal detectors to ghost hunting kits to karaoke machines.

Erison said there’s something for everyone within the collections, both for hobbyists and for folks who may need a specific tool for a unique project.

“For those people who are at home and those hobbyists as well, we’re helping people out at home as well by adding things like an automotive scanner to track all of the codes on your vehicle,” said Erison.

“(We have) items that you may not want to invest the money to purchase on a one-off basis to use them, you can now come to the library and borrow them for free.”

She added the availability of tools, projects and even instruments has made a positive impact for the local community.

“I think it’s had a great impact. I think when it comes to investing in that, sometimes families just don’t have that spare money to purchase additional items,” said Erison.

“Being able to have those kinds of items readily available from your local library is quite valuable and it definitely is time saving and money saving.”

There are currently no further plans to expand the collection, as there is currently no additional grant funding to do so and the library storage is at capacity. 

For the time being, the collections will simply be available for public use, to residents of Strathmore, Wheatland County, Siksika Nation and Rockyview County.

Anything that is borrowed from the Strathmore Municipal Library must be returned to the facility after its use.

As it stands, Erison said there are over 150 items within the library’s collections that patrons may borrow and make use of at their leisure.