“Canada’s libraries foster connections between people, communities, ideas and information. In October, these connections will be celebrated during Canadian Library Month with the theme Libraries connect.”
The Invermere Public Library will be celebrating its 50th year of incorporation in June 2013 and was in existence earlier under the guidance of Major Bell. It has provided an important service to residents since the 1950s!
Over the years, the library has experienced many changes. The library’s book collection was once held on a shelf in the Invermere Community Hall. The books were next moved to the district office and then back again to the community hall in the space where the youth centre is now located. This is where Liz the Librarian began her career. She was on the library board at the time and was covering for then-librarian Mrs. Wynder while she was on holidays. Liz was hired as the librarian in November 1984 and this month marks her 28th year as the director of the Invermere Public Library.
During Liz’s career, there have been four location changes for the library. The last one occurred in 2001 to the present location at the old RCMP building. There have been many other changes that have taken place over Liz’s 28 years. The library has grown from a collection of 12,000 books to 35,228. When automation arrived, it was a huge undertaking. The library has gone from lending Polaroid cameras to Kobo eReaders. Hundreds of people have learned to use the computer and the Internet at the Invermere Public Library. Keeping pace with technology, we are now busy teaching people how to download eBooks.
Fundraising has blossomed into an organization called the non-profit group Friends of the Library.
The library serves as a meeting place, a home office, a classroom and tourist information — not to mention the most important role of lending books.
There is Story Time every Friday morning, Summer Reading Club, Scrabble nights on the first and third Wednesday evening of each month, Senior’s afternoon on the second and fourth Wednesdays, author readings, and monthly special events. These days you can download audio books, eBooks, order books from anywhere in B.C. and, while travelling, borrow and return books at any library across B.C.
We think you will agree that this library connects! And if we aren’t reaching you, please let us know how we can.