The Cranbrook Public Library is bigger and better than ever and Jan. 26 staff, visitors and city officials celebrated its fifth anniversary at its current location.

Elaine Karras, Library BoardPlanning and Policy Committee chair, told those attending the evening celebration that Cranbrook has enjoyed having a library since 1925.

“It’s obviously become bigger and better over the years,” she said, noting that in the time the library has been in its current location (1212 2nd Street North) 655,170 people have visited the facility.

“That’s in five years, so that’s pretty good. We’re trying very hard to keep up with everything,” Karras said.

She also offered praise to the Friends of the Cranbrook Library, calling them a “godsend.”

Part of the celebration included the unveiling of an acrylic on canvas painting called Somewhere, by Cranbrook artist Jim Roberts.

“I remember the old library,” he said. “You are hanging art so you’ll be here a while.”

“The library is fulfilling another role – art as well,” Karras said, singling out Pat Adams as a pivotal person in helping make the library what it is.

Another person who is responsible for the library’s success is head librarian Ursula Brigl, who continues exude passion toward the facility.

“I am really only just starting to discover what the library has to offer” after having worked at it for 20 years, she said, adding she hopes to keep making the library “fulfilling” for people.

The evening celebration, running in conjunction with Family Literacy Day (Jan. 27), included a reading of Raising Kain by Cranbrook author and publisher Keith Powell.

For more on the library go to: https://www.cranbrookpubliclibrary.ca/

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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