Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter

Public Library Makes Overwhelmingly Positive Report to the Community

May 22, 2016 | 8:19 AM

LETHBRIDGE – It was a big 2015 for the Lethbridge Public Library!

Its new CEO, Terra Plato, made a report to the community at Monday’s council meeting, going over some of the major highlights.

Those included a Service and Tourism award, adding the Bookmobile service and recognition from ABC Life Literacy Canada for the “Read On” adult literacy program.

Plato is particularly proud of that program, which helps English as a Second Language learners, new immigrants and those who want to simply upgrade their English education be successful in society.

But the Library’s success has to do with far more than just books. It recently started promoting health and wellness in the community, opening up a physical literacy collection, which allows patrons to check out things like sport kits.

Overall, the Library’s Main Branch had more than 468,000 visitors, with well over 1-million items borrowed during 2015.

Plato says as they now work through 2016, the plan is to “turn outward towards the community”.

“We are just at the start of a strategic planning process, so we are going to have some discussions with the community, and figure out what community needs are, and target those. That being said, we’re still doing lots! We lots of new programs and services coming out.”

The Main Branch will also undergo an extensive face lift over the next year and a half, since it’s largely been untouched since the ’80s. Plato say the first six months have gone well, with the Children Services area already complete.

There will be a grand opening for that area sometime this summer.