Our History

Community interest in the library grew as children sometimes took books home for their parents to read. An interested teacher, Sharon Samcoe, first set up the library in 1973. Initially, there was very little money allotted to libraries and most of our funds were raised through teas, bake sales, and raffles. 

The public library grew and always shared space with a school. Initially, it was in the High School which was in Alder Flats at that time. In 1993, the school in Alder Flats became the Elementary School and the Public Library has shared space with the school library ever since.

From 1975 until the late 1980’s, teacher Lois Robinson was the Librarian. She was instrumental in getting support for the library. Arlene Schwengler, another teacher, followed Lois on the job. When Arlene left, the positions of public and school librarian became two, and Ivy Seely took over as the public librarian. Ivy served the community and library well for over seventeen years and retired in 2007.

Other community members served on the library board and as volunteers. Without their dedication and hard work, the library could not have flourished. In 2016, Jean Sargeant, a librarian, volunteer, and Chair of the Library Association, celebrated her 33rd year with the library.

The public and school libraries cooperate to provide service to the community. Currently, there are over 1200 books, numerous DVDs, and audiobooks in the library in Alder Flats. But thanks to computerization which led to our partnership with TRAC (The Regional Automation Consortium), our patrons can now search a combined catalog of over 170 libraries with holdings of nearly three million books, DVDs, and other material! Orders can be placed online from home or from the library and are delivered to our library for pickup. Three public-use computers were installed and access to free high-speed WiFi is available in the library. With a device now in almost every household, the library continues to provide its patrons with services by offering numerous eResources accessed through our library website.

If you served on a previous board or volunteered with the library and are willing to have your name posted in our history blurb, please let us know. Thanks.