REDVERS - Katy Soroka became the Redvers librarian in September 2023.
Born and raised in Manitoba, she completed her degree at the University of Brandon and moved to Redvers 12 years ago.
Soroka and her husband Derek have two children, Elizabeth and David, who keep them busy with their schooling and sports activities.
She has worked with a variety of organizations, which includes the local credit union. Soroka is also the secretary/treasurer for the Redvers Health Foundation and the Southeast Medical Group.
Being enthusiastic about teaching and education, she is also a Skate Canada figure skating coach.
Her work with the library gives Soroka the opportunity to offer a variety of programs and services to the Redvers community and surrounding area.
Her favourite part of the job is meeting and visiting with the patrons. Whether it is to catch up, help them choose a book or assist with math homework, she is happy to help with it all.
With 30 hours of operations each week, the library offers an array of programs for children 0-12 years, teens, adults, seniors and family events.
Some of the most popular events are story time, which includes a craft, and tiny tots for caregivers and young children.
For the adults they have coffee and colouring, and sip and sign, which is a sign language class for all ages.
Soroka said the Lego club is extremely popular. The children have a wide imagination and are highly creative with their projects.
There is always a space for clubs or groups to gather for meetings or a social.
Receiving a $1,500 grant through the Community Initiatives Fund, this will go towards the TD Summer Reading Program. It will help purchase craft supplies and bring programmers like GoScience and Danny Kazam’s Wizard Camp. The TD Summer Reading Program is to encourage literacy through the summer months.
In collaboration with the Town of Redvers they successfully received a grant from Saskatchewan Senior Mechanism, offering a 12-week program called Senior Support Sessions.
The program will begin on May 2 and will include topics on technology, health, safety, finances and more. Guest speakers will present information which will include Soroka as one of the speakers.
Dennis Feduk, the pie man, will make his appearance and hold a class on pie making in May.
Thanks to a grant, the town is able to offer free transit to seniors in Redvers, and purchase a projector and laptop.
Frequent paint nights with local artist Chylisse Marchand are always a big hit, while Heather O’Watch presented her new book Auntie's Rez Surprise while teaching plains Indigenous sign language.
In 2023, 1,500 people attended the programs and over 3,300 items were checked out of the library.
Over 600 people have so far taken part in programming.
The Redvers Library has plenty to offer as Soroka is always busy planning and preparing a full list of programs.
