It might be hard to believe but the Jasper Library and Cultural has been open for exactly one year this week.
The brand new building first opened its doors on June 29, 2016, nearly five-and-a-half years after construction began on the multi-million dollar project that was beset with errors, cost overruns and missed deadlines.
Despite all the setbacks, Angie Thom, director of library services, said the community has embraced the new building.
“Let me put it this way, over 600 people showed up that first day and some people came back multiple times bringing different friends,” said Thom.
Dale Karpluk, chairperson of the library’s board, said they were initially concerned they would have to promote the library to get people interested in it again, but the community proved them wrong.
“The community has come back and are loving the space and the services,” said Karpluk. “If you take a look at the comments in the guest book you can see they think we’re the luckiest people.”
She described the new building as the hub of the community because it also includes the mayor’s office, council’s chambers, the Jasper Artists Guild (JAG), Habitat for the Arts as well as l’Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA).
Prior to moving into the new building the library was located under the bleachers at the arena, a dark and at times noisy place.
Today the new building at 500 Robson Street offers high ceilings, bright windows and enough space for everyone.
Thom wouldn’t divulge how many people have used the library since it opened explaining that comparing the new building with its old location under the bleachers doesn’t present a fair picture.
“All of our membership numbers are up, our circulation numbers are up and our door count is up,” said Thom. “Come July we’ll actually be able to take a look at the numbers in this location and start comparing those numbers to each other so that’s what I’m excited about.”
Reflecting on the past year, Thom said they’ve learned a lot about what they can do in the new space and are still making some adjustments here and there.
“It’s like moving into a new house. You put things in, but you’re not sure that’s where you’re going to keep them so we shuffled things around and tried different programs.”
One of the most successful programs in the new building is called From the Stacks: Story Time for Adults.
Organized by Janeen Keelan, the adult programmer for the library, the hour-long program is held every Thursday from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
The library has also recently collaborated with the Jasper Local Food Society to host a seed library in the building.
Not to be confused with a seed bank, which is designed to stockpile seeds in case of prolonged war or severe drought, a seed library is alive allowing gardeners to borrow seeds, plant them and harvest the spoils before returning a fresh set of seeds at the end of the plant’s cycle.
Once it’s up and running, the food society envisions it will take the form of a repurposed dewey decimal cabinet system stocked with different varieties of plants.
According to Thom, the biggest surprise to date has been the demand for services such as printing and scanning.
“The community’s needs have changed over time,” said Thom. “I think part of is people don’t own printers, don’t own scanners and suddenly people I’ve never seen before, who have been in town for years, are coming to us for those kind of office services.”
Looking towards the future, the library is in the midst of planning several new programs, including renewing the Jasper Garden Tour on Aug. 5. The tour runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children and are available at the library.
The library also has plans to unveil a donor wall in the front entrance of the building in September during Alberta Culture Days.
Both women warmly encouraged residents and visitors who haven’t stopped by yet to check it out.
“Our doors are open,” said Karpluk.
Paul Clarke
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