August at Sheep River Library

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Sheep River Library is experiencing one of its busiest summers on record. SPLASH, the summer reading program hosted by the library, has seen about 20 participants a day over the summer months. Teen Zine and the Teen Summer Reading experience which was organized by Marigold, has had many kids participating in order to win the prizes automatically given to participants who finish two of the five levels. (Kids, there is still time to get in on these great prizes! Pick up a brochure at the library or at Boys and Girls Club). The first two weeks of August saw the library filled daily from 8am until 5pm with over thirty members of the Boys and Girls Club who took advantage of the new board games, computer activities, crafts, reading books and watching movies between swimming classes and free time in the pool. A great partnership experience that worked very well!
Membership in the library is well over 1,800, the largest number ever recorded. The kindergarten sponsorship program initiated by Mark at AG Foods has played a huge role in the increase in family memberships. A number of people visiting the library book sale during Turner Valley days took advantage of the opportunity to tour the facility and take out a membership. Family membership is only $20 per year. An unofficial target of new manager Jan Burney is to reach 2,000 by the New Year!
Unfortunately, the beautiful high beamed ceiling in the library, while spectacular to look at, is the source of concern for staff and patrons. Any noise echoes! And since the goal is that the library is a fun place to be and activities and discussion are encouraged, solutions to the noise level are being investigated. The first noise source to be addressed is the use of computers and computer games. From now on, the sound on the computers must be muted at all times. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own headphones or headphones can be purchased at the front desk for $2.00.
Thank you to patrons who have stepped up to take out magazine subscriptions for the library. Several titles that were close to expiry were saved. Check out the recognition signs in the magazine section to see those who have joined the list of magazine donors. In jeopardy are a few more magazines whose time is running out in September or October – Country Living, Consumer Report, Canadian House and Homes and Birds in Bloom to name a few. Check with the front desk to see other titles coming up for renewal. Magazine subscriptions in addition to those on the shelves are always welcome.
Registration for fall courses commenced during the Art in the Park celebrations on Saturday, August 13th. Brochures outlining all the adult classes are available in the library or on line at www.sheepriverlibrary.ca. Don't miss out on some of the fabulous lifelong learning experiences scheduled for this fall at Sheep River Library. Learn a new language through Mango! Check out Career Development courses put on by McBride Career Group. Personal Development courses include sessions on mortgages, buying your first home, telling your story and mastering final stages of life. Yoga for Beginners is new under the General Interest section as well as sessions on how to Make a Fall Wreath, how to begin exploring your family history in Genealogy 101, how to help your group or club put on a special event or festival and how to discover what's up in the night sky by utilizing the Starblast Astronomical Telescope which is coming to our library soon. Four travel talks have been scheduled along with two Wilderness/Wildlife sessions. Pick up a brochure soon. Registration has already started!
Casino Volunteers needed! The Friends of the Sheep River Library have been slated to manage a casino on February 14th and 15th, 2012. Forty volunteers are needed to cover the day and evening shifts for the two days. This will be a major fund raiser for the library and upcoming costs during 2012. If you can help, please call Holly at 403-933-5890. Lots of help is needed, so please volunteer for one of these days.