Does the public library matter to you?
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- Published on Thursday, January 28, 2016
Submitted Article
Neepawa Public Library
The Neepawa Public Library is one of our greatest assets, providing recreation, learning and leisure opportunities for the entire community. Now you have an opportunity to help chart the library’s future direction by volunteering to serve on the local board.
“If you haven’t visited the local library in a while, it is time you became re-acquainted with this important facility,” said Bill Stilwell, chair of the local library board. “Our library is the most important resource we have within the community.”
Our local library offers much more than books! The Public Library is a focal point for community engagement and lifelong learning. It provides free access to electronic resources, books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, instructional materials and in-house and online reference services. It also provides space for book clubs, discussion groups, instructional sessions, quiet reading and study, literacy programming and much more.
Neepawa Library is part of the Western Manitoba Regional Library with additional branches in Carberry, Glenboro, Brandon, and Hartney. Library cards are provided free of charge to local residents and the residents of member municipalities, including Langford-North Cypress. The Rural Municipalities of Rosedale and Landsdowne-Glenella are not members of the WMRL, but their residents may purchase a library card.
The local library requires input and advice from the local community. The board, comprised of local volunteers, makes sure the library remains relevant and responsive to community needs. Board members are also advocates for the library.
Being a member of the local advisory board is not an onerous task. The local board meets about 10 times per year. Meetings are usually an hour long and are called at a time convenient to the board members. Currently, the board meets one morning per month. In addition, a member of the local advisory board sits on the Regional Library Board. The second regional representative is a member of town council.
The local board’s main purpose is to provide guidance to the library staff and provide local input for programming, collection development and other ongoing operations. The regional library board’s role is one of governance. As a regional library Library Trustee, you are an advocate for libraries and you help to govern the Regional Library.
“Our library contributes to this community’s overall livability, enhances cultural and social vitality, and it generates economic activity,” Stilwell said. “It provides a very important leisure opportunity and makes a huge contribution to the local quality of life. As a Board Member, you will be making a valuable contribution.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the local Library Board, please contact any board member, or call the Library Branch Supervisor at (204) 476-5648. You are also welcome to leave a message with staff at the Town of Neepawa Office (204) 476-7600.
