The High Prairie Municipal Library, located in High Prairie, Alberta, has served as a hub for learning and community engagement since its founding in 1952. Established by dedicated volunteers, the library has evolved into a vital resource for education, entertainment, and creativity. More on edmonton1.one.
The Founding of the High Prairie Library
In 1952, Angela Randall and Trenger Smedstad rented a former McIntyre Pharmacy on the corner of 52nd Avenue and 50th Street, which had previously been a shared garage. The small community library quickly gained popularity after opening.
Due to increasing visitors, the founders decided to relocate to a larger space. In 1953, the library moved to the second floor of the old town administration building. By the winter of 1967, it found a new home at the corner of 53rd Avenue and 49th Street.
The library officially became a municipal institution, taking on the name High Prairie Library to secure grants from the town of High Prairie.
Throughout these early years, volunteers managed the library. Hired librarians worked part-time and without pay. The first librarian, Violeta Basarab, played a pivotal role in its development.
Growth and Development
In 1967, Edmonton opened a library division, led by Ted Wiltshire, which offered specialized courses for rural librarians. Violeta Basarab was the first to complete the Edmonton branch’s program and earned her librarian certification.
By 1969, Violeta began teaching weekly lessons in High Prairie schools to educate students on library usage. Additionally, the library hosted storytime and children’s film screenings, made possible by a small projector donated by the Development Service. Preschoolers from three local daycares attended these screenings, which initially took place on Wednesdays but were later moved to Saturdays.
These activities became extremely popular, often attracting over 50 children of various ages. Beyond film screenings, children could participate in craft workshops. In 1970, the library introduced a doll-making club for preschoolers, where children created their own dolls.
In the summer of 1979, the increasing number of visitors prompted the library to hire its first assistant librarian, Dorothy Jobin, to support Violeta with her responsibilities.
By 1980, the library’s collection exceeded 50,000 volumes. In 1982, it launched a book-sharing program for large-print materials with other libraries. That summer, the library also introduced a Summer Reading Program for children, which became a resounding success and has continued annually ever since.
In the fall of 1982, the library began hosting university teleconference courses. Around the same time, it offered a Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) for students, teaching them practical skills like designing and constructing floating structures using library materials. Students who participated in the program provided valuable assistance to the librarians, helping maintain smooth operations.
Modern-Day Innovations
Today, the High Prairie Library continues to thrive, embracing innovative technologies and expanding its offerings. The library now features a fully equipped computer lab for visitors and has significantly increased its book collection. Through the efforts of local government and the library board, it remains a cornerstone of the community, providing resources and programs that cater to diverse needs.