Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 26, 2007

FORT PROVIDENCE - Until now, Fort Providence has never had a public library.

But now, the Zhahti Koe Public Library, which had its grand opening on Nov. 5, is open to the public.

Margaret Thom cuts the ribbon to officially open the Zhahti Koe Public Library. The opening was attended by many potential library patrons including Brandon Constant, left, Aiden Baptiste, Nolan Bonnetrouge, Keagan Nadli and Craig Bonnetrouge. - photo courtesy of Shanna Hagens

Located in Deh Gah school, the facility occupies the space formerly used for the school's library.

The library needed a lot of work before it could be opened to the public, said Rikki Butt, the chair of the library committee.

"It was just old books and nobody really used it," Butt said.

Staff from the NWT Public Library Services in Hay River came in mid-October to look through the collection and to weed out old books. Lots of new books were also put on the shelves. The collection now includes approximately 2,000 books with items for all age ranges. There are also large print books available for elders, Butt said.

"We're getting new stuff each day," she said.

Now with a catalogued collection, the facility is an official NWT public library. Having a public library in the community is important, said Butt.

"It makes it a community-wide initiative for literacy," she said.

With greater access to more books reading will be more fun, said Butt.

"I don't think parents realize kids are interested in reading and that it can be fun," she said.

The idea to turn the school's library into a public facility began with Lois Philipp, the school's principal.

Every community should have a public library, she said. To her knowledge there's never been a public library in Fort Providence before.

A few years ago Philipp applied for funding available through the NWT Public Library Services to change the library, but the application was unsuccessful. While in Hay River in October, Philipp talked with library services staff and got the ball rolling.

Having access to a public library will be a welcome addition to the community, said Philipp.

"Access to literature in any form is important for community development," she said.

In addition to opening resources to the community, the library is helping a group of high school students.

High school students need a volunteer credit and the library needed staff so the two were put together, said Philipp.

Twelve students, from the graduating class and senior prep class have been hired to staff the library during weeknights and on weekends.

The students work together with an adult volunteer and their salary is being put into a fund. The money will be used to finance a trip to Toronto to visit colleges.

"Kids are getting work skills out of it and they get to go to Toronto," said Butt.

Students are also giving input into the programs the library will offer.

The library is open from Monday to Friday 10 to 11 a.m., 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A moms and tots group will meet every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Elders can take advantage of the elders' book drive program. A list of large print books will be made available to elders who can then phone in requests to the library and have their choices dropped off and picked up when they're finished.

All services and programs are free, said Butt. Anyone can come in and ask for a library card, but people under the age of 16 need a parent's signature, Butt said.