Food for fines, thought at Rossland Public Library Open House--tomorrow

Library photo is from slightly in the future...but only slightly

This Thursday, between 3 and 6pm, the Rossland Public Library (RPL) will be holding an open house designed to both introduce the public to Katie Albright, the new librarian, and help envision the future of a major Rossland institution. Plus, if you’re an incorrigible fine-dodger, you can have your overdue fees waived. Plus, if you’re just greedy, you can stuff your face with FREE CAKE.

Librarian Albright is both aware of the tradition she’s carrying on and cognizant of the challenges the future will bring.

“The Rossland Public Library has always been a community effort, from its humble beginnings with just 250 books. That community effort continues today with volunteers working at the circulation desk and on the board to guide the library’s policies, programs and services.”

When asked about the current status of the library, Albright notes that “The library is open 7 days per week for loans, study and meeting spaces, and computer access. We have an efficient staff and volunteer team making sure our interlibrary loans are coming and going, offering reference and reader’s advisory services to community members. We’re on Twitter, Pinterest and Bhubble, reaching out into the community and the library community around the world.”

A big part of Thursday’s event will be planning for the library’s future. During a time when tiny electronic devices are looming larger and larger, Rossland’s new librarian is well aware of the challenges institutions like hers face moving forward.

“We’re looking to build our programming to be responsive to community needs, to develop as a welcoming and comfortable community space for culture and learning, and to respond to changing technology to offer services that reflect how people use information, their reading habits, and how they engage with each other. Next year we’ll be developing a 5-year strategic plan that will help to guide library development for the coming years.

It’s the start of our renewal process for the library, updating our services and spaces to ensure they reflect the community.”

Toward that end, the library is offering denizens of the Mountain Kingdom to take part in an online survey. Along similar lines, participants in Thursday’s event will be able to “draw their future library” on our blueprints. It’s a chance for Rossland residents to be involved in the discussion as to what our library could and should be.
“Whether that’s a comfy chair to lounge in while reading the latest issue of Powder, or a kid-friendly area with technology as well as books to support the development of curiosity for the world we live in, or a meeting space with a big screen tv and a Netflix account? We hope people let their imaginations run wild.”

The event will also feature “Food for Fines” fundraiser. Says board member Yolanda Ridge, “You bring the food, we waive the fines!”

For each non-perishable food item people donate, the library will waive $3 in outstanding fines, up to a maximum of $30. All donated food will go to the Rossland Food Bank.

So come along, chat with staff and board members--and eat that cake.

The Open House is on Thursday, October 4th from 3:00-6:00pm. Light refreshments will be served with a cake cutting at 4pm in celebration of the 74th anniversary of the Library's incorporation. Books will be for sale by donation and there will be colouring pages for the kids.