By Treena Mielke
A visit from A COW bus. A barbecue. Arts and cafts. Computer time. A book sale.
Who would believe that all these activities and more goes on at the library in a day?
It’s true!
To have a sneak preview of what actually does go on in libraries throughout the province, Snapshot Day 2011 is being held throughout October to show how important public libraries and library systems are.
On Oct. 4, the Rimbey Municipal Library will compile statistics, customer comments, photographs and other data chronicling a typical library day. These results will be added to those of public libraries across Alberta.
Librarian Jean Keetch said libraries have changed over the years and it is interesting for patrons to note these changes.
To celebrate Rimbey library’s special day, the COW (classroom on wheels) bus will be on hand, a barbecue will be held in the parking lot behind the library with a special guest, ventriloquist Val Hilliker from Bluffton entertaining.
Stories and crafts will be offered in the library for children who are waiting their turn to go through the bus. A book sale will also be held.
The library’s regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be extended.
The concept for Snapshot Day originated with the New Jersey State Library Association, and has spread throughout the United States and Canada. The purpose of the day is to create a ‘snapshot’ of what happens in a library in a single day, to help libraries and library advocates demonstrate how the people who visit the library and the communities in which they live are affected by the library.