Access to high-quality books, magazines and movies is about to get easier for Sun Peaks and Whitecroft residents.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (TNRL) is trialling expanded hours in 2024, improving access to information by coming to the villages every Sunday. The program starts in January and runs for a year. Between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., residents of Sun Peaks can visit the mobile library at Sun Peaks School on Valley Drive. Residents of Whitecroft are welcome to explore the mobile library on Cahilty Road from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
After reviewing stops and population, Sun Peaks’ rapid growth “presented a glaring example of a community underserved by the mobile library,” according to a board report from the TNRL presented to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
With over 1,400 residents, Sun Peaks is almost large enough to require a fixed location running 26 to 30 hours a week according to data from the TNRL’s report.
Until the Thompson-Nicola Regional District develops a permanent building, the TNRL hopes the mobile library expansion can fill some gaps.
Previously, the mobile library stopped in the community for ninety minutes every three weeks.
Other changes include removing a stop at Big Heffley Lake because of low visitation and circulation. A stop that operated every three weeks at Heffley Creek Hall on Wednesdays is moving to Fridays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Locals look forward to increased access to the mobile library
Meghan Kolodka uses the TNRL for herself and her children. She says the increased hours make accessing the library simpler.
Previously, she and her family would try to stop at the library in Kamloops, which wasn’t always an easy feat with multiple errands to run along the way.
An avid reader and promoter of literacy in her household, Kolodka told SPIN library access helps her family learn about the world.
“You should always be learning something, always challenging yourself,” Kolodka explained. “Knowledge is power. Reading is incredibly important to us. We do it every night – throughout the day if we’re home with them. I want them to be exposed to different books, with different subjects so they can start learning as much as they can about the world around them.”
Melissa Lowenberg is the Manager of Community Libraries for the TNRL, and she is happy to see the service expanding.
“These services really make a difference in communities,” she said. “Libraries can really open a window for your imagination.”
Lowenberg highlighted that the stop is open for everyone, whether you’re a visitor, permanent resident or seasonal employee.
If people aren’t residents, they can bring a piece of mail with their name and address, and tourists are also welcome to explore the mobile library in Sun Peaks and Whitecroft.
The collection on board changes each week and holds are brought up for cardholders.
The TNRL chose Sundays in response to community feedback and to align visitation with events like Sun Peaks Farmers’ Market.
Lowenberg welcomes feedback on the service, either by visiting the bus in the new year or through an online portal.
If visitation keeps up, the trial expansion could become permanent.
“I hope they keep it indefinitely,” Kolodka said.
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