The Mary C. Moore Public Library has been instructed to close doors by December 13, 2020. This means the library will be closing their doors to the public on Saturday at 2:00 PM and until then, the library will operate their regular hours. 

“We are totally shocked that we're going to have to slow down for a little while. It is our hope that we will actually still be able to do curbside and as soon as we know we will actually get the press releases out and I will contact everybody through social media,” said Head Librarian, Christina Petrisor.

At this time, there is no reason to rush to the library and return or renew your books as fines remain at zero.  Books are perfectly safe when they are dropped off at the library drop box which is accessible outsde the Lacombe Memorial Centre. 

Throughout the pandemic, the library has been forced to adapt to closures and adjust programs to online formats. Additionally, many of the libarary’s fundraising programs have had to be cancelled to manage the pandemic. In order to create a bit of extra funding, the library has been selling $20 calendars featuring photography of Lacombe’s local sites by Travis Johnson.

“This is a City of Lacombe Board initiative in order to generate a substantial amount of money to help us continue doing the great work we do. This year alone, we have given out eight e-readers for people with print disabilities and visual impairments. They are able to enjoy literature through audio formats for the entire remainder of their lives,” explained Petrisor.

She says the library has also been working to provide content and programming for long-term care residents in the Lacombe area.

“We currently conduct zoom sessions with the Lacombe long-term care. We do readings with their residents even though we can't physically be there in the space. We're actually reinventing everything that we do,” said Petrisor.

She is in the process of seeing if any local businesses would be able to sell the calendar in their store as the library closes to the public. Until 2 PM on Saturday, December 5th, you can buy the calendar at the library. All the proceeds will be going towards the library, their equipment, and services.

“Our goal is to try to become more viable by not just going to get a grant but actually generating revenues in order to make ourselves sustainable without having to be reliant on provincial and municipal grants as well,” explained Petrisor.

The librarian is very thankful to have the financial support of the City of Lacombe. Despite having a bit of a budget surplus heading into 2021, she says it’s been a challenging year.

“We probably are generating about a quarter to a half of the revenue we historically did in previous years. We're just encouraging people if they haven't renewed their membership, they can come in curbside or into library to do so because we could really use that support this year,” added Petrisor.