Bringing people together through a love of reading

reading, and her work in libraries ironically started while she was attending the University of Regina.

I was asked if I would be interested in working at the campus college library, and that was a great fit for me,” she said.

“It was a very unique and diverse position and I really found my calling in libraries supporting people in whatever they needed in that moment. It was a really good feeling for me.”

Sikora worked at the college library for four years before moving to Edmonton to work at the Edmonton Public Library for two years while doing her masters in library and information studies.

And after over two decades with the LCSD, Sikora found her new passion within the stacks of the Lloydminster Public Library.

“When the position of library director at the public library came up, it really felt like the next logical step in my career.” books for their reluctant readers to try to excite them. I never know what patrons will say when I ask how I can help, but it’s super exciting to work with that kind of diversity and creativity in my job.”

She explained the best part of public libraries is having the opportunity to meet people and help them, while asking nothing in return.

As a self-proclaimed “band geek,” Sikora grew up in Regina and was a member of the Regina Lions Band when she met her husband, Aaron.

When Aaron was offered the role of band director with the LCSD 21 years ago, a combination of love and a good job brought Sikora along, too.

“When I ask, ‘How can I help you today?” The answer can be extremely varied,” she said.

“Sometimes they need a book recommendation, sometimes they need help finding affordable housing, sometimes they want to find

“The LCSD kindly offered me the role of learning resource coordinator,” she said.

“I didn’t ever intend to be in Lloydminster for this long. This is my 21st year here and I expected to be here for two years and then move on to a larger centre.”

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But it was the people and her love for her job that kept her here.

“Half of the job was supporting teachers as they create their units and lessons. I liked to look at my role as allowing them to focus on what’s most important in their jobs and focusing on the needs of their students rather than having to find the resources they needed to do so,” she explained.

“The other half of the job was working with the library technicians to support the school libraries,” she said.

“I did a lot of ‘best-practice scenarios’ and support for the school libraries, as well as a good portion of the book purchasing for the libraries.”

Since starting her role with the Lloydminster Public Library, Sikora has increased programming, expanded offerings, wid - ened the collection as a whole to include books in Ukrainian and Tagalog, as well as made strides in community partnerships.

“I’ve really tried to meet the needs of our community,” she said.

“We started a community crafting cupboard, which is basically a free library. If you have crafting supplies in your house you no longer need or want, you can drop them off at the library and we’ll organize them and put them together in a way that could be useful to others. Other people can also come to the library and take whatever supplies they need, and it’s all completely free.”

Sikora also talked about a new maker space at the library, designed for families to come out twice per week and participate in a featured activity.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the new Lloyd Library in the LloydMall, Sikora recommends you check it out.

“It’s beautiful and bright and open,” she said.

“We have lots of designated areas as well. We have the program room, the meeting space, and the study pods, and the public is welcome to use all of those. We have a beautiful children’s area with lots of fun toys and creatively organized books, as well as lots of public computers for people to access for free.

“We also have some new seating for people and we’re looking forward to getting some couches and comfortable chairs in the future as we build a little space with a fireplace.”

Originally from Kitscoty, Kristen Traverse is a registered nurse, an Anat Baniel MethodNeuroMovement practitioner, and a health and wellness educator and coordinator with Hunt Psychological Services as well as a consultant with the Lloydminster Catholic School Division.