Our Vision
The Sylvan Lake Municipal Library strives to be the heart of our community, where all come to discover, learn and connect.
Our Mission
A strong community partner offering programs and services to stimulate the imagination and learning of all local residents and neighbouring communities.
Our Values
The Sylvan Lake Library champions the freedom to read, learn, and explore by providing open, equitable access to information, ideas, and resources for all.
1948
1958
1964
1968
1971
1978
1979
The library opened its doors as the I.O.D.E. (Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire) Library in a small space at the Town Office. Membership fees were $1.00 for individuals over 16 and free for those under 16. The library had 31 adult members and 91 members under 16.
Esther Dube was hired as the first full-time librarian.
The library joined the Parkland Regional Library.
Membership grew to 370 patrons.
Emily Mclean was appointed as the first librarian.
The new Town Office and Library opened on October 8, 1964. Effective on October 23rd, the Library would no longer be open Tuesdays. Four short years later, the first Library Board formed.
Membership grew to 516 members and 10,042 items circulated in the library.
1980
The library officially became the Sylvan Lake Municipal Library. This year, 12,212 items circulated, and the library opened three days per week.
1983
Two part-time staff were hired to accommodate increased library usage.
1984
The library relocated to the New Town Office, and the Summer Villages of Norglenwold, Half Moon Bay, and Birchcliff joined the Library Board.
1994
Esther Dube retired as librarian and was replaced by Lynn McLoughlin. Alice Swaby was also hired as librarian.
1995
The Sylvan Lake Library Foundation received a charity number and status, growing to become the Friends of the Sylvan Lake Library.
1996
The library purchased its first computer, a laser printer, and Encarta 96. The annual membership fee was raised to $10.00, and a $1.00 fee for story hour was introduced. Fines for late video materials were $1.00 per day. Internet for Library patrons became available in March of 1996, but public access to email and "chat" was forbidden. A second computer was added for public use that April, and consent forms for patrons under 18 were required.
1997
Data entry of library materials began using the Mandarin system.
1998
Internet fees for library patrons were eliminated, but non-members were required to pay $3.00 to use the internet. Annual membership fees were raised to $12.00, and a senior rate of $10.00 was introduced. In November of that year, the family membership fee was raised to $15.00, and a new logo was adopted.
1999
The library agreed to participate in The Alberta Library Card program, and F.O.I.P. became a reality.
2000
Construction of a new library building began. Dynix OPAC became available for patrons, circulation went up 39%, and memberships went up 150% in the month following the opening of the new building. The library's website went live in August.
2001
The new building hosted its grand opening, and circulation began with the new Dynix system in June of 2001. The County of Red Deer joined the Parkland Regional Library system.
2002
The Library began its practice of charging fines on all overdue items on January 1st, the Cards for Kids program began, PRL rolled out the new Horizon software, Supernet arrived at the Library, and a CD collection for the Library was also approved.
2003
Barb Bulat was hired as library director. Alice Swabey was named Parkland Regional Library's Librarian of the Year for 2002, and the $3.00 fee for using public computers was eliminated.
2004
2006
2007
The Sylvan Lake Film Society showed its first film in February, run by the Friends of the Sylvan Lake Library.
Sundays were added to its regular business days.
The Library began opening on Mondays.
2008
2009
Shannon Sword was hired as library director.
The café counters were removed from the reading lounge, and a new logo was adopted.
2010
PRL began lending eAudiobooks, utilizing NetLibrary, through support of The Alberta Library.
2013
eMagazines became available through Zinio in October, and worldwide newspapers became available at the Library through Library Press Display.
2014
Caroline Vandriel was hired as library director. The ME Card went live in the spring. Hoopla, a digital platform for borrowing music, movies, TV series, and audiobooks, went live in June. OneClickDigital (RB digital), a digital platform for borrowing eAudiobooks, and 3M, a digital platform for borrowing eBooks, went live in June and September, respectively.
2016
The Little Free Pantry started and the library purchased 5 public laptops for in Library use.
2019
Andrea Newland was hired as library director.
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2025
The Library went FREE Library Memberships for all Sylvan Lake, Red Deer Country, and Summer Villages patrons! Hours also changed to have extended Monday Hours.
2024
The Library made significant improvements by creating a PS5 gaming station in the teen area, renovating the staff space with new flooring and desks, and adding new planters outside. We successfully hosted three major fundraisers: a Name that Tune event, a Book Sale, and a Holiday Silent Auction. Additionally, the Library was honoured with the 2024 Visitor Friendly Award by the Chamber of Commerce for our efforts to enhance community engagement.
2023
Haley Amendt was hired as library director, and the library expanded its Library of Things and got MeeScan self-checkout.
2022
The library got new display shelves (purple), new children's shelving, new flooring in the main library, and wireless printing.
2021
The library officially went late fine-free and started a board game collection.
2020
The library switched from RBdigital to Overdrive, closed for COVID, started virtual programming and curbside pick-up, went fine-free for COVID relief, and installed a new projector/sound system in the program room.