The CAMROSE BOOSTER, July 3, 2018 – Page 8
Library wins awards, continues to be a hub of Camrose By Lori Larsen
The Camrose Public Library always has something going on, whether that be one of a variety of informative programs and sessions offered for adults or youth/children, hosting special events, providing essential library services as well as a multitude of other services that meet and exceed the needs of the community. In a presentation to City of Camrose Council, Camrose Public Library director Deb Cryderman, technology literacy coordinator Carley Angelstad and children’s programming coordinator Nicole Bannick spoke of the important role the library plays to the residents of Camrose and area. Cryderman began by thanking council for selecting an incredible board. “It is rewarding to work with people who represent the community who are so positive and encouraging, are visionaries, and are able to take leaps of faith with us. They are strong advocates who are passionate about the library and the services we offer.” Angelstad presented on the mandate of the library to support and promote literacy of all forms. “The library is a space that is flexible to community need and always strives to support a literate, informed and democratic society. To achieve this, our library is working to promote many forms of literacy, not least of all, digital literacy.” Angelstad explained according to the American Library Association digital literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills. She further noted that the library aims to provide digital literacy programs that are accessible, engaging and fun for all ages. The library offers the STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts and Math) after-school program for grade school students. Youth (teens) are introduced to 3D printing, virtual reality, coding and more. “We offer a weekly Tech Tutoring Class for adults and seniors as well,” said Angelstad. In conclusion, Angelstad listed the benefits of digital literacy. “Digital literacy skills support increased social connection, reduces senior poverty, promotes identity building, encourages lifelong learning and helps bridge the cultural gap between generations.” CPL children’s programming coordinator Nicole Bannick related
the importance of building partnerships. “Like all libraries, we partner with our municipal government in all that we do,” said Bannick. “Partnerships help us share and extend our resources, be they financial, skill-based, or people-power, which helps the library and other community organizations achieve more for our community.” Bannick listed some of the partnerships CPL shares including Camrose Family Literacy, Battle River School Division, Canadian Parents for French, Camrose Early Childhood Development Coalition, Family Resource Centre, Augustana Battle River Writing Centre and child care facilities. “Forging connections and partnerships with other not-for-profit and human service organizations is so important to community building. Rather than re-making the wheel, we invite organizations into our space to host info sessions and workshops, or ask them how they could use our services and programs in their spaces.” Examples of community organizations using the library to offer these sessions and workshops include Service Options for Seniors, Primary Care Network, Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, Chuck Maclean Arts Centre, About Time Production, Family Violence Action Society, Cam-
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Camrose Public Library (CPL) staff along with Mayor Norm Mayer and City council show the awards won by the library during a council meeting. Left to right back row are CPL summer students Jessie Bennett, Morgan Sorensen, Jennifer McDevitt, Veronica Bergsten, councillor Wayne Throndson, Greg Wood and PJ Stasko. Front row left to right are CPL summer student Jennifer Laskosky, councillor Kevin Hycha, Agnes Hoveland, Cathie Johnson, CPL summer student Liana Nand, Mayor Norm Mayer, CPL director Deb Cryderman, CPL technology and literacy coordinator Carley Angelstad and CPL children’s programming coordinator Nicole Bannick.
rose Mental Health Association and The Open Door. Bannick indicated reasons why it is important for the library and local businesses to develop partnerships “Children who develop a love of reading are more likely to mature into engaged citizens and engaged citizens invest in their community by shopping locally and contributing to a healthy workforce.” Some local businesses offer incentives to shoppers who possess and show a valid CPL card and also offer their expertise to library programs. “At their core, libraries
are based in literacy and education, but are customer-service driven,” noted Bannick. “By forming partnerships with other community organizations, we are helping to fill gaps in service.” In recognition of the good work being done, the library was the recipient of the following four awards; the 2017 Chamber of Commerce Community Spirit Award, the 2016 Minister’s Award of Excellence for the Book Bike program, the 2018 Award of Excellence for the Snacks in the Stacks program and the 2018 Alberta Library
Trustees Award of Excellence for the library board. A testament of the good work done by CPL came in the form of several handwritten letters from local children commending the Library’s Snacks in the Stacks program, which were sent to the minister of municipal affairs Shaye Anderson. On top of receiving these awards, CPL technology literacy coordinator Carley Angelstad won the 2018 Lorne MacRae Intellectual Freedom Award for the work she completed in breaking barriers to digital literacy for seniors.
Library hosts tea party for Harry Potter fans
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster The Camrose Public Library converted to Hogwarts on June 20 as the annual tea party took on the popular theme of Harry Potter. Top photo. Some guests took part in a spirited (pun intended) game of Quidditch during the event. Bottom photo. Jennifer Quinn, left and Betty Quinn made the drive from Edmonton to partake in the Library’s fantastical Harry Potter tea party.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Young Harry Potter enthusiast Noah Theriault takes a magical cupcake from library summer student Liana Nand.