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ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
The Fort Liard Community Library's new location is garnering positive reviews from its patrons.

Laura Nelson, 12, makes a selection from the up-to-date collection at the Fort Liard Community Library's new location in the hamlet building. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The library opened its doors in what was formally the cultural room of the hamlet office in early June.

"As soon as we opened, we had patrons right away," said Roslyn Gardner Firth, the hamlet's manager of wellness and recreation.

The library is still establishing itself in the community. Up until two years ago, similar to many Deh Cho communities, Fort Liard didn't have a public library.

Community meetings

During a series of community meetings, residents were asked for suggestions on what they thought would enrich the community, said Gardner Firth. A number of people said a library would fit the bill.

In response, in September 2010, the library at Echo Dene School was adapted to serve as a public library. The school's book collection was culled and old or out-of-date books were removed and new ones purchased.

The cultural room in the hamlet office was chosen when a decision was made earlier this year to move the library.

"It's a location that makes it more accessible to all community members," said Gardner Firth.

The school retained its books while the public library's books made the move. The library's collection is comprised of almost entirely new books. Approximately 25 per cent of the collection was purchased by the hamlet while the remainder came from NWT Public Library Services.

"It's a really comprehensive selection," said Gardner Firth.

Approximately 75 per cent of the books are geared for pre-school-aged children to young adults, but there is also an adult fiction and non-fiction section.

The library also has DVDs that can be borrowed and three computers with Internet access as well as a wireless connection.

Approximately three more computers are scheduled to be installed along with more shelving and more books.

Library cards are free to anyone who wants to borrow books or DVDs.

Thaddeus Timbre, 13, said he likes the new location better than the original space in the school.

"It's good," he said.

Timbre said he's read a few books in the library. His favourites are the Bone graphic novels.

Laura Nelson, 12, who comes to the library almost every day, also approves of the change. There are more computers to use and there is more space, she said. There are also some good books on the shelves.

The library is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. In the fall, the library staff will be offering family literacy programs, said Gardner Firth. The staff will also receive additional training provided by NWT Public Library Services in September.

Gardner Firth said the library is an asset to the community.

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