ST. ALBERT PUBLIC LIBRARY

St. Albert Public Library (SAPL) is an essential part of our city not only for its books but also for the community feeling it offers residents. The library has been in St. Albert Place since 1983—but that’s only the most recent home for this treasured service organization. As you are about to discover, the story of our library has many great chapters. Here’s a look at a few of them.

1930s

The institution that eventually became St.  Albert Public Library began in the 1930s as a travelling library.

Mrs. E.A. (Susie) Atkinson, one of the library’s first champions, was originally from Lacombe until she married local farmer Ted Atkinson. She believed people could learn almost anything from books.

To share her love of reading with others, Susie borrowed all types of books from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Extension and lent them out to people from her home and at area gatherings. Susie transported the books in wooden apple boxes with rope handles; every three months she exchanged them for a new set.

1940s

In 1946, a group of local women formed the Women’s Institute (WI). They soon began discussions—started by none other than Susie Atkinson—about a permanent library. The Farm Produce Office on Perron Street was its first location.

Molly Laderoute became the first librarian, and each WI member donated a book or magazine to support the collection.

In 1948, the library established its first board, and a gift of books from the Lady Tweedsmuir Fund in Ottawa enabled the library to loan books to children at local schools.

1950s

In 1950, the library—run by dedicated volunteer librarians—found a long-term home in the basement of the St. Albert Community Hall. By then, it had around 100 subscribers and 1000 books. Throughout the decade, new books were added to the collection, some by donation from devoted local residents.

1960s & 70s

In 1961, under the Provincial Libraries Act, the town council formally established St. Albert Public Library, which took a prominent place in the new Town Hall.

In Canada’s Centennial Year, 1967, the library finally got its own building at Glenview Crescent. Susie Atkinson, then 81, proudly attended the opening ceremony.

Throughout the 1970s, SAPL continued to flourish as a community resource.

1980s & 90s

Big changes began in the 1980s. Pamela Forsyth became director and helped shape the physical space and the vision of the institution.

On December 3, 1983, SAPL made its debut in its current home in St. Albert Place.

By 1987, it was Alberta’s first Dynix-automated library. The reference library got CD-ROM computers, and online catalogues and bar codes replaced card catalogues and date stamps.

In the 1990s, the audiovisual collections changed formats, the Internet arrived as a user resource and the library website came online.

2000s

Change continued into the new millennium. As customers’ needs changed, the library installed Wi-Fi, and staff offered basic computer classes in a new computer training room. The renewals and holds processes and many of the collections also moved online.

To manage increasing circulation, the library installed an automated check-in and sorting machine, which meant staff had to radio tag the entire collection.

Now

The library isn’t about a physical place; it’s about a sense of place. People, about 300,000 visitors annually, connect in the shared space. Customers can find over 188,000 items in the print and digital collections and can participate in over 1000 programs offered by the library’s helpful team. Families can enjoy book programs such as preschool storytime and book clubs. Keen learners can participate in technology and lifestyle classes. Everyone can ask a librarian for assistance and get questions answered.

Today SAPL is—as it has always been—a valued resource with dedicated staff, and it continues to grow and evolve with our city. t8n

The More Things Change

St. Albert Public Library has had many temporary locations (in a butcher shop, in a shoemaker’s shop and above Imperial Lumber) and has had major renovations (1999 and 2006). One thing that’s never changed is the spirit of sharing that started it all.

2014 Stats

Nearly 100 people visited every hour.

Over 27,000 new items were added to the collection.

Staff answered more than 50,000 reference questions.

Over 1 million items were borrowed.

Photo Credit:

Archival Photo Credit: St. Albert Public Library