Arctic Bay (Feb 24/03) - The mayor of Arctic Bay, Joanasie Akumalik, received the first official library card from the new Inuujaq School Public Library at the grand opening in late January.

He's happy the community finally has access to this important resource.

"We applied for the funding before Christmas and it came through. Now, we have resource books that people can go to for information," said Akumalik.

The Inuujaq library is unique because it's a combined library. Before becoming the public library, it was used by students at the community's school. Although the library's location remains the same, it will now be open to the public. "It was the school library so it was just a matter of moving things around, and setting up extra shelving," said librarian Hollie Boivin.

Many books added to the school's inventory came from Nanisivik after the mine closure about 27 kilometres from Arctic Bay.

So far 20 library cards have been issued. Boivin said it will take some time for people to get used to the idea of the library.

"People are slowly trickling in. Just about every day someone new shows up. Some people are just curious and others are already borrowing," she said.

The library is opened during school hours for now, until a gate closing it off from the rest of the school is installed.