In-person programming at the Meadow Lake Public Library is expected to resume in the first week of September. (Meadow Lake Library/Facebook)

By Elliott Knopp

Library Programming

Meadow Lake Public Library to resume in-person programming

Aug 19, 2021 | 2:31 PM

As the fall season approaches, the Meadow Lake Public Library is gearing up for the return of the community centre’s in-person programming.

Starting in the first week of September, the library is set to resume hosting recurring weekly community programs. These programs include the Wednesday night Knitting Circles, which start up at 7 p.m., the Friday morning story and crafts at 11 a.m., and the Hokey Pokey Play Group run by Positively Parenting on Tuesdays at 11 p.m.

Tawn Marshall, Programming Clerk, stated while the library has been fully open to the public since restrictions were lifted in July, the lack of in-person programming left the facility staff and guests yearning for gatherings known to reinforce feelings of being connected to the community.

“We’re pretty pleased to be able to get back into having some of our regular groups going. We really miss the connections that people have made here at the library, and of course, that we’ve made with people,” Marshall said.

“It’s nice to be able to get people back in using our space and treating it like it’s their own. We’ve been spending a lot of time alone and stuck in our houses after the last while, and so people are pretty excited to be able to get together again.”

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During the pandemic, library staff adjusted the crafts programs to accommodate COVID-19 guidelines and make the program more accessible. While the new delivery didn’t entirely replicate the experience of a crafts session, Marshall shared multiple families still found joy in the program.

“It was a bit different this year because we did more take-home programs than in-person programs, but we were happy to still have a lot of local kids join. People really did have a lot of fun with it. Shout out to everybody who participated and everyone who helped out,” Marshall said.

In-person events may be making a comeback to the community centre, but specialized activities and promotions are expected to remain on hold for a while. Marshall explained library staff chose to monitor and track how the smaller-scale events play out.

As these events start up again, one summer program is beginning to wrap up. The Summer Reading program which saw several kids in the community log the number of days they read for 15 minutes or more is coming to an end next week.

Throughout this event, the young readers racked up their reading times and redeemed their reading days for entries into a weekly draw that would reward the winners with various prizes.

The summer reading program was sponsored by Toronto Dominion Bank, and grant money from Sask Lotteries helped complete the development of the take-home program.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp