The Midale Public Library Branch received the Branch Award of Merit for 2018. According to the branch librarian Vanessa Lund they didn’t see it coming, but it definitely made them feel appreciated.
“We are very excited to have received it and I feel very proud. We have a very small library, we are only 300 square feet, but with the help of our rink that we are located in we manage to provide lots and lots of programs for our patrons, we constantly have lots of things on the go and all of our programming is free of charge. So for us it’s been a big boost and it really makes us feel like we’ve accomplished something and our hard work has definitely been worth it,” said Lund.
To become an award recipient, the library had to meet a number of criteria. They had to participate in at least two of Aboriginal Storytelling Month, a summer reading club and Saskatchewan Library Week. They had to have a variety of locally arranged programs and promotional activities, and also offer a variety of services to the community.
They must have at least four board meeting a year, which wasn’t a concern for the Midale library with them meeting about 10 times within 2018. They also had to hold the annual general meeting prior to March 31 and have their original trustees participate in their annual and semi-annual meetings. And of course, they had to submit all paperwork on time throughout the year.
And when all that effort is there the headquarters recognizes the work.
“Our headquarters just knows if we do all these things. Last year two of our branches of the Southeast Regional Library got this award,” said Lund.
The other branch to receive the award for 2018 was Qu’Apelle Public Library.
And if you look at the Midale library’s list of current and upcoming programs and activities the reasons for recognition become obvious.
“We will have Mother’s Day button craft coming up on May 7… Every Friday morning we have Come, Read, Sing and Play program for children 18 months to five years old. And starting in July we will have our TD summer reading club. That again is every Friday morning that will be programmed for children ages two to 12. There will be a reading contest too for chances to win prizes,” said Lund.
The library will hold a big launch party for the TD summer reading club on June 22 with a magician, ball-hockey tournament and official pool opening happening that day.
“It’s going to be a big day with lots of fun things going on,” Lund said.
All information about library programming can be found on Midale Public Library Branch Facebook page.
