The Servus Credit Union Public Library in Blackfalds opened on Jan. 3 at its larger location in the Eagle Builders Centre . (Servus Credit Union Public Library - Blackfalds)

By Alessia Proietti

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Servus Credit Union Public Library in Blackfalds officially open

Jan 7, 2022 | 3:53 PM

After cutting the red ribbon on Jan. 3, the new Servus Credit Union Public Library – Blackfalds has had a successful transition, says Manager Carley Binder.

Welcoming 100 visitors on its first day, Binder said they have been met with positive feedback from the community on its new location.

“Our library staff is very excited to be here,” she says. “We want to be involved in the community as much as we can and this is a great way to be involved.”

Suggested by the Town to incorporate with the Multi-Plex expansion in 2020, the new library is now located in the Eagle Builders Centre (5302 Broadway Ave.). The fastest developing municipality in the province, the population quickly outgrew its old location of 15 years at the Civic Cultural Centre (5018 Waghorn St).

“For Alberta Library Standards, we outgrew our last space. We have to maintain a certain square footage per population and because Blackfalds has grown so much, we outgrew our last location at least five years ago,” said Binder.

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In 2020, the town cited a population of 11,974, increasing 4.19 per cent from the previous year and 44.8 per cent in the last five years, according to the Alberta government.

While the new library was expected to open on Dec. 20, 2021, delays pushed the opening date into the new year, exactly one month after its closure on Dec. 3, 2021.

Some of the highlights to the new location are a video and computer game room under the staircase, a young adult and juvenile section on the second floor overlooking the library, a spacious administrative area, and its large windows.

View from the second floor of the library with a seating area near a fireplace and administrative offices. (Servus Credit Union Public Library – Blackfalds)

As the library is not following the Restrictions Exemption Program, its programs for all ages will soon be made available online through their website.

And as before, their programs, membership, and access to the facility, are all free to the public.

Binder said the most important thing about the library, is its welcoming role in the community where no one is left behind.

“It doesn’t matter where your background is from or what kind of household you live in,” she said. “We are here for everyone.”

“Any information that anyone is wanting to know, we will have it.”