Library Looking to Fill “Knowledge Gaps” With Local Volunteers

The public library in Neepawa has become home to an increasing variety of programs over the past few years, but since Caitlin Henderson took over as branch supervisor last fall there has been a real effort to make sure there is something for everyone. Far beyond just books - although book clubs and writing groups still feature heavily in the mix - the library is home to crafting and gaming groups as well as intergenerational programs such as Storytime with Rotary.

In speaking with the local Rotary Club, Henderson highlighted the steady increase in attendance to these programs, and her hopes that more volunteers will step forward to share their skills and experiences with the wider community. She frames this as filling the “knowledge gaps” between what the library staff are able to offer and what the community could benefit from or would like to see. The library is funded largely by the municipal government on a per capita basis, and partly by the efforts of the local advisory committee for the library, so all programs are offered completely free of charge for all patrons.

As the Neepawa Library is part of the larger Western Manitoba Regional Library centred in Brandon, Henderson also addressed the recent fire at the Brandon Shoppers Mall where the library has a satellite branch. While there is smoke damage to deal with, the library fortunately did not suffer significant losses and has relocated to a nearby space to continue operations.