By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
Some exciting changes are afoot at the Castor Library.
The Castor Library board announced in March the retirement of long-time library manager Wendy Bozek after 27 years of service. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of board member Melanie White, the library was able to remain open during March while a library sub-committee went about hiring a replacement.
The replacement was found towards the end of the month, with Tess Griebel being offered the position. Unfortunately, her first day in the position coincided with the re-instatement of step-one health restrictions, which saw the closure of libraries across the province.
Still, Griebel is taking it in stride, and getting some work done in the library, putting her own stamp on things.
“It’s been nice to organize the space and get it ready for us to reopen when the restrictions come off again,” said Griebel.
“I think, everyone runs things differently, and looks at things in different ways. Even though we’ve been closed, it’s nice to have the time to think about the potential for the library.
“Right now, we’re getting new books in our collection, and thinking about programming. It’s been nice to have the space and time to do that before we open to the public again.”
Griebel recently moved back to the Castor area from England, where she was living with her significant other, Callum Morrison, a European-trained butcher who trained with Griebel’s father eight years ago before returning to Europe.
Since Griebel’s father passed away, the meat shed on the family property remained vacant.
“Since my dad died, the meat shed on the family farm has been sitting empty,” said Griebel.
“We decided to move back and get it as an inspected butcher-shop.”
The pandemic forced the pair to speed up their move from June of 2020 to March, moving across the ocean with barely a week’s notice.
Prior to her overseas adventure, Griebel lived in Sundre, where she spent two years working as a library assistant.
“There was a really amazing manager who worked there,” said Griebel.
“I think the Sundre Library is a great example of what the Castor Library could look like for community participation. It’s nice to look at and see what we can become.”
Aside from the organizing in the library, the library is also working on getting an exterior drop-box so items can be returned after hours.
While the library is not open to the public at the moment, Griebel is in the library three days a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and she is offering curb-side service.
“If (people) call ahead, books can be set in (boxes out front) for pick-up, or they can be dropped off as well.”
Plans are already being made for post COVID-19, including the possibility of doing community out-reach with the Paintearth Lodge and the schools, along with other potential ideas.
Griebel invites community members who have ideas for programming to reach out to the Castor Library Facebook page, or call the library during open times.
“The library is really excited to offer some programming and get involved with the community,” said Griebel.