Let’s Chat: Do you love to read?

By Linda Tooth on November 29, 2023.

Do you have a library card? If not, why not? Libraries provide an opportunity for patrons of all ages to enjoy a large sampling of books, newspapers, magazines and activities all within a comfortable setting.

According to the Archives Society of Alberta, the history of a library in Medicine Hat dates to 1890 with a “reading room” being established behind St. Barnabas Anglican Church. Multiple moves throughout the years saw the Medicine Hat Public Library as we know it today being established in 1964.

The love of reading and playing can begin at an early age. Family Storytime for Toddlers allows those aged 18-36 months accompanied by a parent or guardian the chance to listen to stories shared within a group setting.

Also, a generous grant from Co-op Community Spaces allowed the library to create a Play Space for children from the ages of two to five. The spin-off of this space is that children are then allowed to explore and discover books within the children’s library that will help with literacy and create a love of all things relating to books.

Young adults and those older also have an opportunity to explore programs offered at the library. Honeycomb House, InbeTween Book Club, Creative Writing Workshops, Stitching in the Afternoon and Community Coffee are some of the programs offered to bring people aged 12-plus into the library to enjoy the facilities.

What the library is not though is a place for those people who come in and use the washroom for things that should not be seen by children, or any of us really.

A recent decision by city council to increase funding to the library to help offset the cost of social workers and security officers is troubling.

There are facilities within the city to help people receive support and care they need. The library is staffed by those who have received education in library sciences, not social services. What effect does the trauma witnessed by the library staff have on their mental wellbeing?

To send individuals to the library because we do not know what to do with them is not fair to that individual or the library staff and patrons.