After two years of dedicated service, David Tremblay, library manager of the Ponoka Jubilee Library is saying farewell and moving on to a new challenge.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with a lot of the community members…I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” said Tremblay.
He has accepted a position of librarian in Terrace, B.C. but says he will always have fond memories of his two years in Ponoka. A year after Tremblay’s arrival, circulation went up 14 per cent and then another seven per cent beyond that in his second.
He feels his and the library’s staff’s efforts have helped put the library on the map. “Now it’s seen in a new light.”
Initiatives such as the community garden and other ongoing projects may see some change but he hopes to see them continue.
Plans for the future
Some initiatives will have to followed up; Tremblay says the library was just awarded a $5,000 Telus community grant and the library board has just approved testing out free memberships for members next year.
Free membership is a trend that many municipalities have embraced, starting with the Town of Banff. Tremblay says the City of Edmonton has approved free memberships and the cities of Calgary and Camrose are heading in the same direction.
“It’s going to be a project that’s an ongoing thing,” said Tremblay.
While the board will have to look at seeking funding and support from the community to match the $12,000 in revenue usually earned from memberships, Tremblay suggests this will bring further benefits to the community.
“I definitely hope that it continues,” he added.
Another area Tremblay sees as a big potential for Ponoka is creating after school programs in the library for youths and other patrons to work on 3D printing and other creative technological programs. Tremblay says the Edmonton Public Library has a similar program called Makerspace but the only issue Ponoka faces is building size.
“It’s quite a big trend in libraries these days,” he said.
Jerry Siemens, chairperson of the library board of directors says he was saddened when he heard the news but wishes Tremblay the best luck in the future. “We can’t begin to describe his performance.”
“He helped educate us…We have a whole new outlook,” Siemens added.
He says Tremblay has volunteered to help in the hiring process.
Tremblay’s last day is Nov. 19 and the library board has a farewell evening planned for Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.