At Tuesday’s meeting of Weyburn City Council, delegates from the Weyburn Public Library spoke about the way libraries are changing.

“The changes that are coming, you’ll probably see some of the programming in advertising that’s coming out through the regional board, which is, essentially, coming back and inviting people back to the library, because it’s not the library that you remember, the hush, quiet, no-nonsense kind of thing,” said Board Chair for the Weyburn Public Library, Jim Linnell. “It’s going back to the basis of community learning, lifelong learning.”

Linnell pointed out the numerous programs listed in the library's monthly guide and said if anyone can find a space in the calendar that has a time slot available, they can book it to hold an event. From activities for children as young as 18 months to a full array of children's, teens and adult programs, clubs and continual learning, there is indeed something for everyone. WPL even regularly plays movies in the Allie Griffin Auditorium for free, complete with popcorn.

He noted that in some ways libraries do remain the same. In particular, he said, the wide variety of services and products are still available free of charge.

“Please come and get some information, it is available to the public,” he added. “All we ask is that you go ahead and sign up for a Weyburn Public Library card.”

Councillor Dick Michel asked how people could find out what events and programs are happening at WPL.

“Primarily we have our web site where we post the Program Guide, and we have announcements if we’re closed or have a special speaker,” explained Matthew Rankin, Branch Manager. “Mainly, we tend to post information on our Facebook page, and that way we get to communicate with people and it’s a wider audience that we can reach out to.”

He noted WPL also has a Twitter and an Instagram page.

Rankin added that adult program attendance is on the rise, with children’s programs keeping up steady numbers as well. In total, nearly 7,000 attended programs at WPL last year.

WPL Branch Manager Matthew Rankin at Tuesday's Council Meeting (photo by Marna McManus).