The Lloydminster Public Library is open at it's new location in the LloydMall. (Submitted photo/Lloyminster Public Library)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

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Lloydminster Library holds grand opening ceremony at new location

Jan 28, 2022 | 2:29 PM

The Lloydminster Public Library (LPL) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of its new location at the LloydMall.

Several dignitaries were on-hand for the ceremony at the new 12,000 sq. ft. space, which occurred on Family Literacy Day. A weeklong virtual grand opening celebration has events such as a storybook walk, virtual book readings and an anime club kickoff.

Mayor Gerald Aalbers thanked the LPL board and staff for their dedication to bring the move to fruition and support building a stronger community.

“Everyone involved in this project, including the community, has many reasons to celebrate,” he said. “We’re excited to watch the new Lloydminster Public Library inspire the next generation by providing safe spaces that foster youth appreciation for literacy and creative growth through the various programming, workshops and events.”

“Literacy, creative freedom and development growth deserved to be shared with everyone.”

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The LPL serves over 14,000 patrons, has 60,000 titles in its physical collection and more than 500,000 digital items through the Hoopla and Overdrive apps.

Construction at the mall had started a full year ago, but was delayed for several months, due to pandemic circumstances and a water main break in August that shut down the mall. Aalbers remembered conversations he’d had with the late former mayor Ken Baker, who was an advocate for moving the library to a new location.

“His greatest fear was that there was a flood in the basement,” Aalbers said, noting the irony. “Thank goodness that didn’t happen in the atrium.”

The previous location was situated in a basement, whereas the new space will have easy access.

Interim LPL Co-Director Michele Duczek thanked the crews from Bioclean for their action during the mall’s flooding that saved a collection which was already moved.

“As we know, moisture is deadly to books,” she said. “They tented it that day, got the humidity down and we did not lose a single book.”

It will also feature a makerspace, meeting rooms and areas dedicated to teenagers and children. Hours of operation will coincide with those of the LloydMall.

Broader impact

The benefits of the new library extend beyond the Border City.

In an interview with battlefordsNOW, Jake Marion, executive director and CEO of the Lakeland Library Region, congratulated the city and library on their efforts to make the move possible over several years. He noted that libraries across Saskatchewan and Manitoba will look at this new facility as inspiration for renovation work in other municipalities, particularly for accommodating people with mobility issues.

“That’s going to benefit everyone,” Marion said. “Having accessible facilities is a direction we want to take every library in and we commend Lloydminster for being so forward thinking.

Users of Lakeland libraries in communities like the Battlefords and Meadow Lake will be able to access materials at the Lloydminster location. Marion added the people in the surrounding region now have more of an incentive to stop in during other commitments.

“A lot of people who would be travelling into Lloydminster for shopping will now be able to attend the public library because it’s right next to a grocery store and in a mall that people use for other services,” he said.

A recording of the livestream is available until Feb. 4. Visit Lloydminster.info for more information about the grand opening and the Lloydminster Public Library.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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