Hay River (Feb 09/04) - Jeanne Drodge is the chair of one of the most low-key committees in Hay River. In fact, she said, many people in the community don't even know what the Hay River Library Committee does.

The committee could be described as a management board, she said.

"We help to provide services at the library."

However, some people would be surprised to learn the volunteer committee has an annual budget of $98,000 from the Town of Hay River and actually has employees. It is responsible for half of the salaries of workers at the Hay River Centennial Library, while the GNWT pays the rest.

Drodge has been involved with the committee for about four years, since not long after she first arrived in Hay River with her husband Wes Drodge. (She works with Human Resources Development Canada, while Wes is CEO of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.)

Drodge recalls when she first saw the library building.

"I said it looks like an interesting place."

She ended up at the library just about every second day to read.

"I also figured out, if I was going to be living in a very small community, I needed a focus and an interest. It just happened to be this," she said.

Growing up as part of a large family on a Saskatchewan farm, Drodge always enjoyed reading.

"It was just an escape for me," she said. "I needed quiet time. I just found books gave me that."

Drodge has been chair of the library committee for two years.

In that time, the board has pushed the Town of Hay River to increase its budget. "We submit a budget and they vote on it."

It has also raised money to buy books and fund member support activities at the library, such as promoting visits by nationally-known writers.

However, Drodge said the committee's main focus is literacy and trying to get people to read. After two years as chair, Drodge said it is about time for someone else to lead the committee.

"I think it is good to have new blood and new ideas."

However, she still intends to stay involved with the committee.