Librarian Shirley Sheppard, in her year-end report, said “another busy and hectic year has come and gone” at the Emo Public Library, including flooding, feasting, and famine.
The famine was with government cutbacks while the flood last spring brought activities there, and at the toy library, to a standstill. This meant unexpected repairs and a drain on the library’s budget.
On the bright side, the library did feast on the good graces of the patronage of its users and generous donations received when it called out for help towards the end of the year to make ends meet.
With staff support, the library was re-arranged with better and more shelves, and other touches, to make it a comfortable place to visit.
In co-operation with the municipality and federal government, the EPL also became a Community Internet Access Centre.
“Policies are in place as to the limit it can be used by individuals and [they] must be adhered to,” noted Sheppard, adding users under 18 must have parental consent and children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult at the computer.
The staff does not provide on-site training.
The library also will be using the Internet for its Inter-Library Loan services this year.
Elsie Skinner, chairman and member of the EPL board for more than 12 years, has decided to make way for new faces, with Audrey Borger and June Winik being welcomed aboard.
“The municipal council and board has again shown their support to the library so that we can keep up our services to the public,” noted Sheppard. “We thank our contract communities for their continued support.”
Circulation of EPL material for 1998 totalled 21,884 books (an average of 2,963 per month).
Total membership stands at 1,243, which includes about 100 new ones added in 1998 from Emo (43), Chapple (14), La Vallee (12), Manitou Rapids (eight), Morley (five), Nestor Falls and others (three each).
“Reading is out of this world,” EPL’s summer reading program last year in co-operation with the Fort Frances-Rainy River Women’s Teachers’ Association, saw 62 children registered.
Running from July 6-Aug. 12, children up to grade eight were eligible to participate in the program. They chose books at their reading level, then did a short oral report on each one after they were finished it.
The student aide at the EPL listened to as many as 20 book reports a day.
At the conclusion, each child was rewarded with a certificate and coupon for a treat in co-operation with Village Variety. Other awards also were handed out.
Anyone wishing to see a financial statement can contact the EPL for its 1998 annual report.
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