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Bentley Library has updated look and feel

The Bentley Library held a well-attended grand re-opening on May 24 to show off the major renovations that had taken place
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Marilyn Pottage

The Bentley Library held a well-attended grand re-opening on May 24 to show off the major renovations that had taken place over the past few months.

The library closed its doors Dec. 10 to allow for the renovations but was open to a limited degree through the help of the Bentley Museum.

The museum board had donated space in their new building to store library books and equipment and space for staff to continue working as a temporary library depot.

Although open since April 17, now the public was officially invited to come see the new look.complete with new computers and a new business centre, new washrooms, new colors and flooring, and even new books.

The building is now wheelchair friendly.

Free library cards were offered to new library patrons and six-month extensions for existing patrons. Attendees could “spin the wheel” and win a small free gift. Cake and refreshments were available from the new kitchenette area.

Chair of the library board, Robin Lemay, welcomed everyone, introduced guests, and recognized help from many groups and individuals including the staff, the town, the library board and library society, Parkland Regional Library, the local ag society, the provincial government and more.

In attendance were some dignitaries including Mayor Joan Dickau, MP Blaine Calkins, Lacombe County Reeve Ken Wigmore and county Coun. Keith Stephenson, and representatives from Parkland Regional Library.

Also in attendance was special guest Marilyn Pottage (nee Moore) who had grown up and had most of her education in Bentley and still feels she has ties to the community she grew up in.

She spoke of past libraries when she grew up and how their role has changed, but also how some places in the world still struggle to have a basic library.

She has been heavily involved with the Tools for School Africa Foundation for the past nine years and is very proud of what they have accomplished in northern Ghana and in helping offer, girls especially, a chance at an education. She had a display of articles for sale made in northern Ghana as well as a book the foundation has published “9 Degrees North: The ABC’s of Northern Ghana.” Children can see brightly colored pictures of items they are familiar with that go along with the English alphabet and so can better connect with books, as they had few books, and no books written that were “about them.”

She said they personally know the girls the foundation sponsors or gives scholarships to and now have some graduating — a real accomplishment in a country where illiteracy is the norm for girls. Knowledge and education is power for the girls and the foundation expects their girls to become true leaders.

Pottage spoke of the foundation’s latest endeavor to raise funds by recycling old unused costume or real jewelry. They will accept donations of jewelry until Sept. 14 at Artistry in Gold in Red Deer who clean up any old jewelry that is donated and separate costume from other.

Items will go on sale Sept. 27 at an event called “Shine” at the Red Deer Westerner Chalet. Jewelry being donated from the Bentley area can be left at the Bentley Library for pick up.

Library staff will now be able to relax and get on with the regular routine business of offering thousands of books, DVDs and videos, computer access, programs including the Summer Reading Program, and much more.

Bentley Library hours are 10-5:30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 403-748-4626 for more information.

By June Norvila