WEYBURN – The new head librarian for the Weyburn Public Library, Deborah Schrempel, is hoping to see more involvement in programs at the library, particularly by men and boys, and to find out what the community wants to see.
She began in her new position on Sept. 26, replacing Katherine Wagner, who has left to take a position at the Saskatchewan Legislature Library in Regina.
Prior to coming to Weyburn, she spent 11 years working in the oilpatch in Lampman, lived for a time in Grande Prairie, Alta., and then was in Regina to take training in health information management.
“I have a background in education, so I’m all about making sure the resources are available for people in the community,” she said.
“I want to see programs improve with attendance,” added Schrempel, noting at some point she would like to do a community survey to find out what people’s interests are, or if there are programs they would like to see at the library.
“I can’t say enough about how amazing the staff are here,” she said, adding she was very impressed by the inviting environment when she first entered the library, with the knowledgeable and friendly staff ready to help out.
Programs that may help bring people in include having Discord available through the library, and events like the upcoming book sale in early November, and the pumpkin carving later this month.
The library will begin to take in donations of books and other materials for the book sale on Oct. 20, with the sale set for Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 3-5.
Schrempel said she’d like to see more puzzles donated, as they sold well at the spring book sale, along with books and magazines for children, teens and adults, and DVDs and CDs.
“It’s a great way to get cost-effective Christmas gifts or something for yourself,” she said, noting that on the last day of the sale, people will be able to fill up a bag or a box for $5 with as many books or materials as they want.
They will not take any donations of encyclopedias or textbooks, she added.
Family pumpkin carving will be held on Thursday, Oct. 27, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Schrempel noted they had a very good start with a donation of 25 pumpkins by the Wholesale Club, and she’s hoping for a few smaller sized ones as well.
The library plans to also start up an adult Dungeons and Dragons group in the new year, to supplement the one currently offered for teens.
She was asked to put on a class for knitting and crocheting for youth, and she is hoping for programs to interest men and boys, and is looking for any suggestions about possible programs men would like to see at the library.
For any teens at the Weyburn Comp looking for volunteer hours, Schrempel pointed out that they would like to have volunteers for events at the library, such as at the book sale as an example.
