The Drayton Valley Library is getting set for a celebration later this month. Alberta Culture Days run through September 30 and the library is using the occasion to celebrate its own 65th anniversary in the community.
The public is invited to head to the library from noon to 2 pm. September 24. Library director Doug Whistance-Smith says MP Gerald Soroka and MLA Mark Smith along with local elected officials are expected to attend, but this is an event for the entire community.
“We’ve got all kinds of activities planned,” he says.
Space will be cleared within the library to host the event, but if the weather cooperates Whistance-Smith says he expects that things will be moved outside.
The library was first set up in 1957 as a volunteer project of the local Women’s Institute. In the years since then it has grown to serve both the Drayton Valley and the western portion of Brazeau County. Membership is free to local residents. As a modern facility the library offers much more than being a quiet place to borrow a book. Services include computers with internet access, audio books, e books and a wide range of additional resources and programming.
Whaistance-Smith says that variety of resources makes the library a perfect tie-in with Alberta Culture Days. The library will be featuring various guests as part of its celebration between September 22 and 24.
“Culture comes in all different flavours … we’re trying to showcase this in every way, shape and form we can think of,” he says.
“Any way you can imagine culture to be defined, that’s what we’re trying to promote and present. We’ve got musicians coming, we’ve got authors coming, a filmmaker …”
The lineup includes the documentary Honor Thy Mother, with a discussion led by Shannnon Mah of the Family Resource Network on September 22 and a visit from local author L.A. Smith September 24. Another highlight will be a visit and children’s entertainment from Chance and Pascha Hansen, the author and illustrator of Green Pea books.
“Pascha is going to do some drawing. They’re going to read a couple of their books and there’ll be some physical activity as well. They’re so fun and entertaining … they’ll just be great,” says library programmer Verna Wicks.
That event is set for 1 p.m September 23. Later the same day is the Beats By Books library concert with musical guest Harry McConnell.
“He told me he plays two kinds of music: country and western,” says Wicks.
“It’s family friendly so everyone can come.”
Also coming up this month the library is working with the Town of Drayton Valley to host an outdoor movie night. The movie Togo will be shown at the Omniplex on the evening of September 26.
