Emo library has new look, focus

Emo Public Library has sailed into the new millennium with a new look and focus on its activities, Librarian/CEO Shirley Sheppard remarked.
“We now have available Internet computers and computers available for letters, resumes, and much more ready for the public,” she noted.
The library also has been successful in receiving a CAP grant, which will supply more equipment, training, and teaching the usage of computers over a three-year span.
Sheppard said the library also was quite fortunate to be recipients of donations in memory of several well-known readers.
All donations over $100 in one name is engraved on the library’s memorial plaque.
Thanks to other donors–Linda Barrett, Heart Health Coalition, Girl Guides and Brownies, Catholic Women’s League of St. Patrick’s Church, and David Barron.
“The library board and the municipal council has again shown their support and interest in keeping such an important service available to the public,” she added.
The library staff also includes assistant librarian Kathy Leek, casual assistant Brigette Schulzki, and students Julia Leek and Christine Schulzki.
LaVallee rep Dale Stamarski chairs the library board, with the other council reps being Jack Winik (Emo), Heather Oltsher (Chapple), and Rupert Hunter (Manitou Rapids).
Trustees include Audrey Borger and Mike Williams, with Emo Reeve Brian Reid an ex-officio member.
Last year, EPL’s circulation of books was 20,551 (an average per month of 2,557). It also lent out such items as video cassettes (8,359), audio books (722), and foreign books (35).
Books owned by the EPL total 23,429.
Library membership as of December, 1999 totalled 1,297, with 54 new members.
This year, the library started a new inter-library loan program on the Internet. Shirley Sheppard and Kathy Leek attended a morning workshop with consultants from Thunder Bay OLS-N office, which included librarians from other areas.
Some training is available on the Internet when EPL staff and time is available.
This year, the library will be holding special training sessions for the public at a fee when another computer is made available.
EPL also promoted educational and outreach visits, and visits by schools or groups are welcomed (advance notice is appreciated). It was host to the Emo Cub Pack, who toured the library, questioned the workings of the library and the staff, and then proceeded to work on an animal habitat project.
On display are scrapbooks dated from the late 1960s to the present, which are kept updated by Emo correspondent Milt Guba and donated to the library.
The “River of Thyme” history book also was on display for sale or to browse through.