KAMSACK — Elections of officers, a review of the programs offered and conversations with the town representative highlighted the annual general meeting of the Kamsack Public Library board on March 4.
Betty Dix, who has been a member of the board for about 25 years and has served as its president for the past five, was re-elected as president. Donna Krawetz was elected to succeed Cecelia Cazakoff as the vice-president and agreed to serve as its treasurer on a temporary basis.
As is the custom within the Parkland Regional Library system, Nicole Larson, the librarian, continues to serve as the board’s secretary.
During the meeting, board members were involved in a discussion with Councillor Onastasia Eliuk, who is the council member involved with the library, Dix said following the meeting, which included one of its members attending virtually via Zoom.
“Barb Tetoff submitted her resignation from the board which means we’re looking for a few more members,” she said. “I’d like to see a board of about 10 members.
“The board meets about seven times a year to discuss the operation of the facility and the only other involvement expected is a possible fundraiser, which happens no more than once a year.
“Last year we served hamburgers during the SaskExpress concert,” she said. “It was great. We raised $900 for the library.
“We’re waiting to see if SaskExpress will be in the community again this year.
“We went through the financial statements with Onastasia,” Dix said. “She asked questions and we explained how we have begun initiatives which were designed to help increase foot traffic into the library.
“We discussed the new kids’ corner which, in addition to new books, contains beanbag chairs, children’s games and puzzles.”
Much of what is contained in that area was purchased from a donation from the Painted Hand Development Corporation. The money was received prior to COVID.
A donation of a quilt from the Heart and Home Quilt Club of Kamsack provided a prize for a draw.
“We also explained that the library was able to purchase four new laptop computers, thanks to a grant from Affinity Credit Union and from Bryan Cottenie of Kamsack.”
Board members told Eliuk that after the closure of the library in Crowstand Centre, the facility was reopened in the Kamsack Seniors’ Centre on 1st Street in early summer last year and, with help from the Town of Kamsack, its main door was enhanced with a new ramp, making the library wheelchair accessible.
The regular hours of the library, which is open Tuesdays to Saturdays are: Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Twice during the week, the library is open in the evenings, allowing easier visits for those who have returned from work, she said. The librarian tends the facility Tuesdays to Fridays while Saraphim Strauss of Togo works Saturdays.
Dix said that the board recently learned that the Kamsack Families Resource Centre, which is a part of the Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours, will be relocating from the public health building on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard to a building next door.
‘We’re thrilled about that,” Dix said, adding that the program makes good use of the library and it will be convenient that its staff will be located so close.
There’s always new stuff going on at the library, she said. “We have been holding two programs a month.”
She explained that recently a number of books that have been banned in various locations, were available due to a special program at the library. Those books contained plain paper covers.
“Can you believe that some people are banning Huckleberry Finn?”
“The library is now able to help people do their taxes free of charge,” she said, explaining that in the program, one fills out a form, submits his or her tax information and the package is securely sent to Yorkton where the returns are prepared and returned.
“We also have audio books that come with printed books so that one may listen to the words and read them at the same time, she said. The library is continuing its program of offering printing, faxing and photocopying service for a nominal fee.
“We will be starting an Easter colouring contest in which Victoria School students from kindergarten to Grade 4 will be encouraged to enter artwork which will be displayed in the library, and a lucky student will win a large Easter basket.”
Although the library currently contains about half the number of books that were on the shelves at the Crowstand Centre location, the books are more current, she said, adding that much of the history room information as well as shelving and desks remain in Crowstand because no space for the material has yet been found.
“We’re looking for space for that stuff.
“A lot of things have changed,” she said, urging people to visit the library to see for themselves the facility and all it has to offer.
