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Caitlin Vandermeer, 10, plays a game of Sudoku on one of four new computers at the Norman Wells library. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS - The Norman Wells library is again looking for board members after losing its entire board and librarian over the summer months.

Town manager Ian Fremantle said two people have already volunteered for the board. While he would like to see seven members, he said the board can function with as few as four, adding turnover at the library is not unusual. As with many Northern towns, people come and go.

"The last board only lasted 12 months," said Fremantle.

The board's job is to listen to concerns and complaints from the community about the library, as well as oversee the selection of books available. The board meets once a month.

Stewart Beckingham is one of the two new board members. He moved to Norman Wells about a year ago to work as a cook at the Rayuka Inn.

Beckingham said he tries to volunteer in any community he is living in. "I've been a municipal councillor and a school councillor. Board operation is board operation so I don't think anything will surprise me."

When he heard the library was looking for board members he knew it would be a good fit for him.

"I'm an avid reader," he said. "I'll read just about anything except really weird science fiction."

Beckingham said the library was a welcoming place when he was young and he hopes he can help make the Wells' library the same way. He may have his work cut out for him. Located in Mackenzie Mountain school, the library is a hot spot for youth after classes.

Despite losing staff and board members, the library is still open for business. Recent high school graduate Joel Erb has been filling in temporarily. A new librarian has already been hired and will be starting shortly.

Fremantle said the addition of five new computers has helped make the library even more attractive for kids.

"We had some money kicking around in the budget so we decided to purchase some computers," he said.

Four of the library's computers are for public use and the fifth is for the librarian. Erb said the computers are always in use after school. He said the computers bring kids in and they often end up taking books home by the end of the day.