Shellbrook Library Celebrates 60th

Written by the Shellbrook Chronicle
Volume 101 - Shellbrook, Saskatchewan Friday, March 30, 2012 - No. 13

Board members, past and present employees, dignitaries, library users and the Shellbrook Elementary School Grade 2 class turned to to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Shellbrook Library Monday, March 26.

Local library Board Chair, Deb Mervold emceed the event which opened with speeches from Shellbrook Mayor George Tomporowski, board member and RM Councilor Doug Oleksyn, former Board Chair Bishop Tom Morgan and Wapiti Executive Committee Member Gerwing.

Library Vice-Chair Elna Fish also presented a comprehensive history of the library in Shellbrook.

Throughout the years, the library has been housed in many locations -- eight to be exact.

In 1952, Shellbrook joined the North Central Saskatchewan Regional Library after the Home and School Association raised the $225 start up fee.

The first branch was located in Halliwell's Hardware with J.C. Heatherington volunteering as librarian.

The official grand opening took place in the Legion hall, march 26, 1952.

From there, the library moved into the town rest room, west of the Elks' Theatre and then later into a small room inside the theatre. It then found temporary home in Dorothy's Floral Shop in 1960 and then moved into Norman Smith's Furniture Store where it stayed from 1961-1977. When that business was sold, the library remained until its next move into the basement of the Shellbrook Credit Union.

It was during this time that the Library's longest serving librarian Hazel Barkway served her tenure.

A permanent home for the library was construed at the corner of Main Street and Third Avenue East in 1984. The new facility was far more accessible than the previous location and traffic increased.

"We were limited with space at the Credit Union and of course when we moved into the new building we got more shelving and so headquarters gave us a whole bunch new books," said Barkway, who was librarian from 1979 to 1994.

During her time one of the first stops for new residents in town was the library.

However, with the growth of technology the library's needs outgrew the facility and it was determined that one more move was in order.

In 1996, the library moved into its current home in the Provincial Building on Railway Avenue West.

Over the past sixty years 12 librarians, both volunteer and paid employees, have assisted with library patrons needs.

Mayor George Tomporowski quoted Dr. Seuss' "Oh the places you'll go" to get his point across about the importance of reading and libraries themselves.

"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn the more places you'll go."

"The more knowledge we have the more empowered we are," said Tomporowski.

Through the years the library has expanded from 250 items to nearly 7,000 volumes plus access to a province wide network of libraries through the Saskatchewan Information and library Services network. The library also includes computer services that were completely unheard of when the library first opened its doors.

In 1975, the North Central Regional Library celebrated a quarter century in existence and changed its name to Wapiti. In 1978 Shellbrook won the Wallis Wapiti Award for the most improved branch and in 1999 was the recipient of the Wapiti Regional Library Award in recognition of its many accomplishments.

Through the years the new facility has aslo doubled as a showcase for local artisans as well as the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) travelling art exhibits while local painters have also used the space to ply their craft.

Library’s 60th Anniversary Party on March 26

Do you know these faces? Donated to the Library by Marilyn Loth, the niece of former Librarian Dorothy Loth, the only information we have is that the event is suspected to be a workshop held in an unidentified location. Please contact the Library at 747-3419 or visit if you can help match names to faces.

The Shellbrook Public Library invites the community to come celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Library on Monday, March 26, at 2:00 pm. The Library adds to its history as it moves through its fifth decade.

The Library invites the community to join its 60th Diamond Anniversary party on Monday, March 26. There will be a short program starting at 2:00 pm with cake and refreshments served afterwards. There will be displays of the Library history and the 1961 NFB film “Books for Beaver River” will be available for viewing. This nineteen minute story chronicles the creation of the regional library system and was shot locally with local people. Thank you to members and friends of the LaClaire Family for identifying Kenny LaClaire and Patty Perkins as the boy and girl on the Rayside School swing set.

The first volunteer librarians were J. G. Heatherington, Mrs. Thomas Rowles, and Vesta Massey. Since the Library’s inauguration the librarians that have served the community have been: Vesta Massey from 1952 to 1960; Dorothy Loth in 1960; Doris Smith from 1961 to 1975; Dorothy Perkins from 1975 to 1977, Anne Anderson in 1978, Brenda Kinnaird in 1978 to 1979; the longest serving Hazel Barkway from fall 1979 to June 1994; Linda Mazurkewich began working in July 1994 (Diane Aug served as acting librarian in 2002) and Mazurkewich retired in March 2007 with Alanna Carswell starting in April 2007 and serving to the present.

As previously told, the location of the Library was Halliwell Hardware, the Ladies Restroom, the Elks Theatre, Dorothy’s Floral Shop probably in 1960, Norman Smith’s Shellbrook Furniture Store (presently Dee Gee's Confectionery) from about 1961 to 1977, Shellbrook Credit Union from 1977 to 1984, a custom built building (presently Triple S. Transport) on the corner of Main Street and 3rd Avenue from 1984 to 1996, and into the Provincial Building at 105 Railway Avenue West from 1996 to the present day. In June 1997 the card catalogue was automated and in June 2010 the automated catalogue went provincial, joining the Saskatchewan Information & Library Services (SILS) Consortium.

Notable fiction books published in 2002, the Library’s fiftieth year, were “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman, “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd, “Family Matters” by Rohinton Mistry, “The Summons” by John Grisham, “Grave Secrets” (Temperance Brennan series, #5) by Kathy Reichs, “2nd Chance” (Women's Murder Club series, #2) by James Patterson, “Lady Knight” (Protector of the Small series, #4) by Tamora Pierce, and “The Carnivorous Carnival” (A Series of Unfortunate Events series, #9) by Lemony Snicket, “Franklin Says I Love You” (Franklin the Turtle series, #27) by Paulette Bourgeois and Sharon Jennings and illustrated by Brenda Clark.

Online Catalogue Down

Following the March 19 power outage in Saskatoon, a piece of server hardware was damaged resulting in the downing of the online catalogue. Replacement of the damaged hardware is still pending.

For patrons who need to renew items, it can still be done via the automated renewal system at 1-888-975-8165.

EDIT: Full services have been restored. 

Join the Library’s Diamond Anniversary Party

As it prepares for its 60th Anniversary the Shellbrook Public Library invites the community to come celebrate at the Library on Monday, March 26, at 2:00pm. The Library adds to its history as it moves through its fourth decade of history. The Library is also presenting a program on how to use the Library’s online catalogue on March 22 at 7:00pm.

The Library invites the community to join its 60th Diamond Anniversary party on Monday, March 26. There will be a short program starting at 2:00 pm with cake and refreshments served afterwards. There will be displays of the Library history and the 1961 NFB film “Books for Beaver River” will be available for viewing. This nineteen minute story chronicles the creation of the regional library system and was shot locally with local people.

Continuing the revelation of history by decades, the Library saw eight librarians serving the community by the 1990s: Vesta Massey from 1952 to 1960; Dorothy Loth in 1960; Doris Smith from 1961 to 1975; Dorothy Perkins from 1975 to 1977, Anne Anderson in 1978, Brenda Kinnaird in 1978 to 1979; and the longest serving Hazel Barkway from 1979 to June 1994; and Linda Mazurkewich began working in July 1994.

Under Mazurkewich, the Library would move again in 1996 into the Provincial Building at 105 Railway Avenue West where it is located to this day. Previous locations were Halliwell Hardware, the Ladies Restroom, the Elks Theatre, Dorothy’s Floral Shop, Norman Smith’s Furniture Store (presently Dee Gees Confectionary) from about 1962-63 to 1977, Shellbrook Credit Union from 1977 to 1984, and the its own building (presently Triple S. Transport) on the corner of Main Street and 3rd Avenue from 1984 to 1996.

Notable fiction books published in 1992, the Library’s fortieth year, were “The Pelican Brief” by John Grisham, “The Shadow Rising” (Wheel of Time series, #4) by Robert Jordan, “The English Patient: by Michael Ondaatje, “The Black Echo (Harry Bosch series, #1) by Michael Connelly, “Gerald's Game” by Stephen King, "Dragonfly in Amber" (Outlander series, #2) by Diana Gabaldon, “All Around the Town” by Mary Higgins Clark, “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Grownups” by Jan and Stan Berenstain, and “Franklin Is Lost” by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark, and “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister.

The Library is offering a class on Thursday, March 22 at 7:00pm, on how to learn how to use the online catalogue to find books, order in items, and what to do when you just can’t find the title you want. Openings are limited to available computer seats at the Library so hurry to register by dropping in or phoning Librarian Alanna at 747-3419.

Please join us to celebrate the 

60th Anniversary 

of the 

Shellbrook 

Public Library 

1952 ~ 2012 

Monday, March 26, 2012 

2:00 pm Program 

105 Railway Ave. West 

Cake and refreshments 

will be provided.

Library Seeks Locals in NFB Film “Books for Beaver River”

Do you remember “Books for Beaver River?” The Shellbrook Public Library is looking for people who remember or who were involved with the 1961 film by the National Film Board of Canada. Please contact Librarian Alanna Carswell at 747-3419.

As part of its Diamond Anniversary, the Shellbrook Public Library is looking for individuals involved with or who remember the filming of “Books for Beaver River.” The Library adds to its history as it moves through its fourth decade of history. The Library is also presenting a program on how to use the Library’s online catalogue on March 22 at 7:00 pm.

 The Library is searching for individuals and memories of people in the 1961 National Film Board of Canada short film, “Books for Beaver River” which illustrates the start of the area’s regional library system. This movie was filmed in the fictional town of Beaver River, the locations in realty being the town of Shellbrook, Marchant Grove, and Rayside School and locals made appearances. Please contact Librarian Alanna at 747-3419.

Continuing the revelation of history by decades, the Shellbrook Public Library saw seven librarians serving the community by the 1980s: Vesta Massey from 1952 to 1960; Dorothy Loth in 1960; Doris Smith from 1961 to 1975; Dorothy Perkins from 1975 to 1977, Anne Anderson in 1978, Brenda Kinnaird in 1978 to 1979; and the longest serving Hazel Barkway with an impressive fifteen years (not fourteen as mistakenly reported previously) from 1979 to 1994. Also continuing was the many moves by the Library.

As previously noted the location hopped from Halliwell Hardware, to the Ladies Restroom, to the Elks Theatre, to Dorothy’s Floral Shop, to Norman Smith’s Furniture Store from about 1962 to 1977 and then to the Shellbrook Credit Union from 1977 to 1984. On April 3, 1984, after many years of planning, the Library was able to move into a building built for its needs with 1,144 square feet of space at 56 Main Street.

 Library locations were not the only things changing over the four decades, but the library circulation as well: annual circulation in 1957 was 1,167 items and by 1984 it was an amazing 20,519 items. Notable fiction books published in 1982, the Library’s thirtieth year, were “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, “The Gunslinger” (The Dark Tower series, #1) by Stephen King, “The Cherokee Trail” by Louis L'Amour, “Schindler's List” by Thomas Keneally, “Pawn of Prophecy” (The Belgariad series, #1) by David Eddings, “My Sweet Audrina” by V.C. Andrews, “A Cry In The Night” by Mary Higgins Clark, “Crystal Singer” (Crystal Singer series, #1) by Anne McCaffrey, “The BFG” by Roald Dahl, “Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake!“ (Encyclopedia Brown series, #15 1/2) by Donald J. Sobol, “The Berenstain Bears in the Dark” by Stan Berenstain, and “Doctor De Soto” by William Steig.

The Library is offering a class on Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 pm, on how to learn how to use the online catalogue to find books, order in items, and what to do when you just can’t find the title you want. Openings are limited to available computer seats at the Library so hurry to register by dropping in or phoning Librarian Alanna at 747-3419.

Library and Queen Elizabeth II Share Diamond Jubilee Year

Librarian Alanna Carswell holds two well known mysteries, “The Secret of Mirror Bay” by Carolyn Keene and “The Masked Monkey” by Franklin W. Dixon, published in 1972 the twentieth year of the Shellbrook Public Library.© Shellbrook Public Library

As it prepares to celebrate its 60th Diamond Anniversary in late March, the Shellbrook Public Library has more interesting history to share. The Library is also presenting programs on how to use the Library’s databases, March 8, and the online catalogue, March 22, both at 7:00 pm.

After Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on February 6, 1952, the Shellbrook Public Library opened its doors on March 26. Librarian Vesta Massey reigned from the 1952 opening to 1960 with Dorothy Loth also serving in 1960. Following Massey and Loth, Doris Smith ruled the Library and served for fourteen years from 1961 to 1975. When Smith retired, Dorothy Perkins became the librarian from 1975 to 1977. More librarians followed: Anne Anderson in 1978, Brenda Kinnaird in 1978 to 1979, and the second longest reigning librarian Hazel Barkway began working in 1979 and would retire fourteen years later in 1993.

The Library started in Halliwell Hardware, relocated to the Ladies Restroom, to the Elks Theatre, to Dorothy’s Floral Shop, and then to Norman Smith’s Furniture Store. The Library was in Norman Smith’s Furniture Store for about fifteen years before the 1977 move into the basement of the Shellbrook Credit Union. Nineteen-seventy-seven is a significant year for the Library as it marks the formation of the first Library Board. Members were Dick Hope, Mike Kinnaird, Harry Beilhartz, Ellen Nesdoly, Doreen Mumm, Shirley Tomporowski, Jean Seggie, Inez Helm, Inez Van Eaton, Pat Grayston, and Bonnie Gosslin. In 1977, the Board was awarded the Wallace Wapiti award for the most improved library branch in the Wapiti Region.

Notable fiction books published in the Library’s twentieth year 1972 were “Watership Down” by Richard Adams, “All Creatures Great and Small” by James Herriot, “Surfacing” by Margaret Atwood, “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” by Roald Dahl, “Julie of the Wolves” (Julie of the Wolves series, #1) by Jean Craighead George, “In a People House” by Dr. Seuss, “The Secret of Mirror Bay” (Nancy Drew series, #49) by Carolyn Keene, and “The Masked Monkey” (The Hardy Boys series, #51) by Franklin W. Dixon.

The Library is offering two classes in March. The first is using the many library databases. It is on Thursday, March 8, at 7:00 pm. There is a wide selection of online databases accessible for free with your library card. Then, on Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 pm, learn how to use the online catalogue to find books, order in items, and what to do when you just can’t find the title you want! Openings are limited to available computer seats at the Library so hurry to register by dropping in or phoning Librarian Alanna at 747-3419.