Library History 1965 - Present

Before 1965 there was no public library in Manning. That year the Legion Auxiliary decided that the Town of Manning needed a library. The ladies went door-to-door collecting books. Then they needed a place to store them. The town gave them the little building that had once been the town office. Then the Legion ladies, namely Del Harbourne, Val Daigle, Evelyn Haight, Ted Swann, Ivy Thompson, June Jackson and Bette Lorenzen volunteered their time to run the library.

In 1967 the Town took over the running of the library and the present building was opened in 1968. Val Daigle was hired as librarian with wages of $75.00 per month and an additional $25.00 per month for janitor duties. Val was librarian for 20 years and was honored at a retirement party in June 1988.

Barbara Mulcahy was then hired as librarian. The first computer and printer were purchased in 1992. Extensive renovations were undertaken, with metal shelving replacing the old wooden shelves. Carpet was installed and a new circulation desk purchased. The basement was finished and the children’s collection moved downstairs. The Town of Manning also joined the Peace Library System.

Geraldine Kristensen was hired in 1994 as an Assistant Librarian.

In 1996, the first computer used for accessing the Internet was purchased.

In 1997, Barbara resigned and Geraldine Kristensen was hired as the new librarian and Nancy Boos was hired as the Assistant Librarian. Gail Badry was hired to replace her in 1999 when Nancy left to pursue other interests. When Gail moved in 2000 Chris Eakin was hired. Arlene Henitiuk, took over as Assistant Librarian in 2001 when Chris moved from Manning. The position is currently held by Dana Stokes who, after two years in the position, will be moving to Grande Prairie to follow her husband, who is being transferred there. Geraldine retired in March 2006, so Lesley Spry-Shandro is now the Head-Librarian.

Between 1996 and 2003 a total of four free public access Internet computers were added to the library, through CAP (Community Access Point), a division of Industry Canada and APLEN (Alberta Public Library Electronic Network).

In 2000 Peace Library System networked all of region libraries (including Manning) making inter-library loans much easier.

In 2002 a sixteen-foot addition and wheelchair access was added to the rear of the library building increasing the over-all size of the main floor by one third. More book shelves were added and a “Reading Nook” was created.

In 2002 the Manning Municipal Library began (with funding support from FCSS), a weekly “Book Worm Buddies” program, a daily “Reading Pals” program, a monthly “Kids Picks” program for children and a monthly “Golden Chapters Club” for adults, plus bi-monthly family activities at the library.

In December of 2002 Andrew Brown was hired through CAP (Industry Canada) for four months to teach Computer and Internet courses at the library and to re-build our web page.

Today we are still offering computer courses through the library. We are also open Tuesday through Saturday, with late night hours on Thursday and Friday. We have started Don't Judge a Book by it's Movie night for Teens every second Thursday evening. The library has a Little Signs program for any child 2 years old or under, as well as an adult of their choice.

We are very grateful for the donations we have been receiving. To show our appreciation we have our Giving Tree in the library with the leaves displaying our generous supporters.