Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers cut the ribbon during the grand opening of the Lloydminster Public Library at the LloydMall last Thursday, with library staff and invited dignitaries on hand. Supplied Photo
Lloydminster has a new “community living room” for people of all ages to enjoy and feel welcome.
That’s how Michele Duczek describes the feel and function of the Lloydminster Public Library at its new location in the LloydMall.
Duczek is a co-director of the public library, which hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday, and described it as a place where people of all ages can come to relax, create or be inspired.
“Our new Lloydminster Public Library brings together all members of our community and provides a modern and accessible space to connect with friends, family and community groups,” said Duczek in her formal remarks.
She says the new generation library accommodates people who want to hold a book in their hand and others who are keen to access online resources.
The library has approximately 60,000 titles in its collection and more than 500,000 digital items through Hoopla and Overdrive apps.
“In addition to the traditional offerings of a public library, the new space features a makerspace, meeting rooms and areas dedicated to teenagers and children,” said Duczek.
The library held a soft opening on Jan. 7 and the 12,000 sq. ft. facility has been generating a feel-good buzz from visitors ever since.
“They are overwhelmingly positive. They come in and they’re like, wow,” said Duczek.
“They see the space; they think it’s bigger than our old space which it isn’t, but you have the soaring ceiling. There is a sense of space; it is clean, it’s fresh.”
Duczek says the new study pods near the front entrance are the biggest attention-getters.
“People can book them so if they are doing online learning or they just need a quiet place to study with the door shut, we don’t hear them, they don’t hear us,” she said.
She says people are also excited about the makerspace, which will soon be populated with an array of creative materials with a possible 3D printer in the future.
Duczek says the community has been spreading the word about the new library services on social media, noting how much more convenient it is being in the mall.
“You can grocery shop, pick up your prescriptions, do some shopping and swing by the library,” said Duczek.
“One of the best things about my job is to help someone find a book and then come back and say, ‘l loved it, what else have you got.’”
Duczek took part in the ribbon-cutting. The highlights for her were the reaction of invited guests who stepped into the space for the first time and the recognition of the commitment of staff to provide the best service possible.
“The dedication and determination exhibited by the Lloydminster Public Library’s board and staff to bring the move to fruition and its support in building a stronger community are paramount,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers during his remarks.
It was pointed out the construction of the new library began in January 2021 after library staff revealed the new visual identity and concepts of how Lloydminster’s new public library would look.
A water main break in August 2021 and other circumstances caused by the pandemic delayed the opening until last month.
The library has been in the community since 1929 and serves more than 14,000 patrons each year with 14 dedicated staff.
Hours of operation at the new site will coincide with those of the LloydMall.
