The Trail and District Public Library isn't just for reading anymore.
“I think there are more partnerships now that certainly ever before,” says Library Director Kathryn Foley, referring to the facility's ever expanding digital content.
“It was strictly a place to come in and pay to belong in a membership with books and magazines. Now it's a place to gather, a place where you can go for programs, and a place to meet your friends,” she added.
“It's not just a building anymore – we've changed to suit the needs of our patrons and modern society. In 90 years, there's been huge changes.”
As the library service gives nod to its 90th anniversary this week, the community is invited outdoors and in, to join celebrations for the city's educational institution.
Staff and library board members will be at the Trail Market on the Esplanade Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. They'll be promoting nine decades of a service that began from humble beginnings to today's offerings of onsite programs and tactile reading collection as well as its growing virtual library.
The riverfront event marks the opening registration for this year's summer reading program and children are invited to stop by and “build” their own button while trying their hand using the button-making machine.
Slated to launch in July, the program theme is “Build It!” explained Foley, noting the seven weekly themed sessions for groups ages six-to-nine and six-to-12.
Children are inspired to read throughout the week, record the amount of time they have read and then celebrate their successes with prizes and goodies during the weekly session.
Something new this summer, being made and donated by local manufacturer Able Plastics Ltd., is the addition of an interactive progress tool.
For each book completed, the young readers will be given a marble that can be sent down the marble maze to be tabulated, said Foley.
“Summer time our mandate is to assist children to maintain or increase their literacy skills and love of literature,” she added.
For information visit traillibrary.com or call 364.1731.
Following the Friday market, the 90th celebration moves indoors to the library, beginning Saturday at 11 a.m.
Alongside a historical display that includes excerpts from a 1925 Trail Times newspaper, there will be cake cutting, free bookmarks and fridge magnets, plus a chance to win a tablet.
Besides services increasing to include free membership, programming, 24-hour accessible e-products, and a quiet time away from home, Foley says the biggest change is the e-products for kids and the young at heart.
For example, an easy-to-use and interactive resource for children, called TumbleBook Library, was recently added to the website.
Each day a new “TumbleBook of the day” is available, and with one click the youngest readers, or a reader of any age, are taken on a narrative page-by-page journey through a children's book.
TumbleBook is promoting on our website, trying to get word out to the public about the story book math, puzzles and games that are available, said Foley.
“They are really trying hard to connect with the public,” she explained. “A lot of products are really trying hard to connect with others and make it easier for us to connect. Whenever you can partner with people you are buying from or that you are producing services for, it makes a lot of difference.”
This fall, the service will be working in partnership to increase program offering to adults, especially seniors.
“Come in and ask about the services,” says Foley. “Because they've increased immensely in 90 years for anyone aged zero to 90.”