JUNE 2020

Wapiti Regional Library

Wapiti Regional Library Offers Curbside Pickup Services at Select Branches

To help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, Wapiti Regional Library closed their branch libraries to the public on March 20, 2020. The region has continued to offer patrons access to educational and entertainment resources through their online content since then. While public libraries are slated to reopen more fully in Phase 4 of the Saskatchewan Government’s “Re-Open Saskatchewan: A Plan to Re-open the Provincial Economy,” Wapiti is pleased to announce that we will be offering access to physical materials again through Curbside Pickup Service. Wapiti will begin curbside pickup services at seven of our branches on June 15, 2020.

Curbside Pickup will be offered at Wapiti’s Hudson Bay, Humboldt, Melfort, Nipawin, Shellbrook, Spiritwood, and Tisdale branch locations. The service will allow patrons to place hold requests, and check out items located at their nearest Curbside Pickup location.

“We’ve had supportive feedback from many patrons, who have expressed how much they have missed having access to library materials, as well as how much they are looking forward to the eventual reopening of our libraries,” said Community Services Librarian, Lindsay Baker. “Despite the closure of branches, Wapiti has not stopped working behind the scenes, which means that there will be new material available at our Curbside Pickup locations. While Wapiti plans and prepares for the Phase 4 re-opening of public libraries, we think it’s fantastic that we can provide some limited services to our patrons earlier via Curbside Pickup, while still following the province’s guidelines and protocols.”

For full details on how to use Wapiti’s Curbside Pickup Service, go to the Wapiti Regional Library website at www.wapitilibrary.ca/curbside.

Two W apiti Libraries Awarded Pat Morris Communities Matter Initiative Grants

In 2003, Dr. Hugh Morris, known for his contributions to the Canadian scientific community, established the Kimberley Foundation in recognition of his late wife, Pat. His intent was to celebrate her love of ideas, learning, and support of small community libraries.

Earlier this year, the foundation launched the Pat Morris Communities Matter Initiative, offering grants to Canadian libraries serving small communities. Funds are intended to support acquisitions, programming, and outreach activities.

In early April, two Wapiti branch libraries were awarded grants - Shellbrook Public Library and Tisdale Public Library - and in fact were the only two Saskatchewan public libraries to receive this funding.

According to the Kimberley Foundation, Shellbrook Public Library was chosen because its "Summer Reading Club encourages reading, language, art, and community. Grant funds will be used to expand and enhance the club to include preschool children, families, and teens. It will also diversify programming beyond books, providing opportunities for art, drama, and music."

In awarding a grant to the Tisdale Public Library, the foundation recognized its free literacy program, "1000 Books Before Kindergarten," that encourages parents and caregivers to read 1000 books with their children before they start school. The foundation explains, "The program will provide young children with a lifetime of imagination and learning. It will not only help improve literacy but will encourage families to spend quality time together reading."

We congratulate these Wapiti Regional Library branches, whose initiative and dedication to providing meaningful programming has received such positive recognition through these grant funds.

Visit the Kimberley Foundation website to learn more about the foundation, the Pat Morris Communities Matter Initiative, and to view a showcase of this year's grant recipients.

Wapiti Moves Summer Programming Online

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