Southeast Regional Library will hold its 50th Anniversary celebrations at the Weyburn branch library on Thursday, Aug. 11.
In celebration of 50 years of public library service, Southeast Regional Library is hosting free barbecues for the public at many of its branches this year.
The 50th Anniversary celebrations include prizes, hot dogs, hamburgers, and cake, and will be available from noon to 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Come down to the library soon as hot dogs, hamburgers, and cake will only be available while supplies last.
Since 1966, Southeast Regional Library has been a community hub providing resources and experiences that foster a lifetime of imagination, discovery and learning.
According to “A Book in Every Hand” by Don Kerr, a history of public libraries in Saskatchewan, initially there were agreements signed between 56 municipalities with a total population of 55,710 when the Southeast Regional Library was formed. There were 65 participating councils, including 25 RMs, 22 towns, 21 villages, plus the cities of Weyburn and Estevan, with James S. Porter of Weyburn the first chair.
The region began operations on Jan. 1, 1966, and the first headquarters was in a renovated stores warehouse building at the Saskatchewan Hospital, which cost $43,000 for total renovations and furnishings. The office opened for business on June 1, with regional workers beginning work at the Weyburn Public Library. By September of 1967, there were 33 branches open.
The first regional librarian was Hilda Collins.
Over the years the Regional Library has expanded to 47 full service branches, and the current quarters of the regional library, next to the Weyburn Public Library, opened in November of 1999.
Today, Southeast Regional Library offers a wide variety of online resources including e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming movies and music, e-magazines and even e-newspapers. All branches host activities and programs throughout the year such as crafting, book clubs, technology classes, author readings, children’s story times and a Summer Reading Club.
