by Brenda Allan If you look up Powell River on the Internet, the website thesunshinecoast.com gives our city a glowing description, including the following: “Powell River supports some of the finest educational, recreational and cultural facilities in Canada. New residents and visitors alike comment on the warm and friendly atmosphere when they first arrive in the community. Many people passing through decide to stay because there’s so much more here than they ever imagined.”
This is true—it happened to us—and four-and-a-half years ago we moved to this city. I truly enjoy and appreciate the history and people who live here. I think historical buildings should remain and reflect the roots of the area. But, I also believe in progression in some areas and one of those areas is Powell River Public Library. If the city is viewed with pride and valued as an educational and cultural centre, then investing in a new library would reflect that, in my opinion.
I see young families moving to this area because it is a beautiful, natural and safe environment for children to grow up in. In the library I see artists, writers, researchers, teens with homework and families who home-school their children, plus people who just love to read. The present library space limits any expansion in resources for all ages, computer technology and for separate study and meeting areas. In my experience with libraries, they are much, much more than books, especially in the world today. The library is the place to go to read various opinions and facts in magazines and newspapers; find out how to fix your car or boat; learn a new language; listen to music; read about your vacation destination; share a conversation about authors; find a knitting, quilting or craft pattern; borrow a cookbook; take your kids to storytime; plan a new garden; look up how to write the perfect cover letter; do a crossword puzzle; et cetera, and libraries have staff to assist you.
Some people can afford to purchase their reading and research material and have up-to-date access to a computer and printer, but there are many who cannot. Many people make a conscious decision to use and support the library and some just feel at home in a library. The fact is that the historical library is a free, non-judgmental space open to all and supported by residents.
The support shown for a new library sends a message that people really care about an inclusive future for our community. I think we need to step up and endorse the effort in progress that will make this happen.
I came across the following quote which sums it up for me: “Libraries preserve our past, inform our present and inspire our future.”
Brenda Allan has worked in public and academic libraries for over 30 years.
