Editor’s note: This is the final article in a four-part series on the Invermere Public Library in celebration of October 2012, Canadian Library Month.
People connect with the Invermere Public Library in many ways. Families with new babies receive a “Books-for-Babies” bag from the Public Health Unit. This bag is a collection of materials that is put together by the library in partnership with the health unit and Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL)-Windermere Valley. Each new baby receives a coupon to redeem at the library for a board book.
As children grow into preschoolers, we see them connecting with the library for our weekly preschool storytime. Each Friday morning, the library is a bustle of activity as the young children and their parents gather to listen to stories, sing songs, and make a craft. The families are connecting with the books that they borrow that day and they are also connecting with other families in the community, meeting up with old friends and making new ones.
When children enter the school years, there are new opportunities for connecting with the library. Many classrooms visit the library with their teacher for a tour. As well, the library partners with schools for programs such as the Welcome to Kindergarten activities that were held this year. The library also hosts special events for school-aged children in Kindergarten through Grade 4. From Halloween celebrations to Christmas decorations, this age group has enjoyed connecting with us. Older students in grades 5 to 7 have been enjoying our newest program, Adventure Club. Held monthly, participants have connected with many different activities that support their learning and love of reading. From science experiments to birdhouse building, the connections have been amazing. And in the summer months, the ever-popular Summer Reading Club hosts school-aged children once a week for a variety of activities and stories.
Adult patrons connect with the library in many ways as well. There’s the standard borrowing books, audio CDs, eBooks and e-Readers, using the inter-library loan system, and accessing the public computer terminals. Plus the Invermere Public Library has also hosted a large variety of special events for adults as well. From author visits to e-reading workshops, from family concerts to learning how to hula hoop or knit, from Christmas crafting to notebook making, the library has connected with many patrons as they continue learning and trying new things. Regular events include Scrabble nights where players drop in for a game on the first and third Wednesday evening of each month, and our popular Seniors Days on the second and fourth Wednesday afternoon with bus transportation provided.
As we head towards our 50th anniversary as a public library in June 2013, we are always looking for new ways to connect with our patrons and our community. If you have any ideas, we would love to hear from you. You can connect with us on our website at www.invermere.bclibrary.ca, on our Facebook page (type in Invermere Public Library), by email invlibrary@cyberlink.bc.ca, or by calling 250-342-6416.