Tugaske Library is known as “the little library with the bright yellow door,” but what’s going on inside is much bigger than expected.
Despite calling a village of less than 100 people home — the second smallest branch in the Palliser Regional Library system — Tugaske Library has won the 2018 Branch of the Year Award.
This is the second year in a row that a small town has won the award, as Wood Mountain took the title home last year as the smallest branch in the region.
The distinction is one that head librarian Violet Beaudry is proud to advertise, as a ton of work from both the library board and the local community went into keeping their little yellow door open and their programs thriving.
“It just really makes everyone smile. Wherever I go now, they're like, ‘hey, I heard you won,’” said Beaudry. “It means a lot to the community.”
In 2016 - 2018, active patronage at Tugaske Library increased by 45% and the number of programs offered by 350% — with a 1,000% attendance increase.
Beaudry estimated that last year, a total of around 1,000 volunteer hours were contributed to library programming, and about 450 of those hours came from community members.
“I have a fantastic board. I suggest things and they're just all on par to help me out. So it's not just me, it's just a great board,” said Beaudry, adding that the local community has also really stepped up as well.
The small library is cozy and welcoming, and always busy.It’s really a combination of factors that has made the library so busy.
Small upgrades to the building, like replacing the fluorescent lighting and painting the front door yellow, made the space more inviting. Taking input and planning events to suit the community’s interests got people coming out to spend more time at the library.
Beaudry has even approached local artists and asked them to display their work in the library, to create a local connection. She regularly collaborates with all the surrounding towns for projects: Eyebrow, Brownlee, even Central Butte.
“The people in Saskatchewan are always amazing because we live in these tiny little communities and we do our art for like 40 years, and half the time nobody even knows,” said Beaudry.
All in all, the Tugaske Library is the place to be. The program list is endless: from knitting to archery, there’s quite literally something for everyone.
“[I said] let's find out what this community likes to do and let's just have some fun,” said Beaudry, and she absolutely has. “We're having a good time out here. . . Everything that we can think of, that people are interested in, we try it once.”
Murder mystery dinners, weekly gatherings to try out new recipes, nights of painting with local artists, and even a charity Farmer’s Market: you name it, Tugaske Library is happy to try it out.
The $250 in prize money that accompanies the honored title of Branch of the Year is likely to go towards material acquisition, said Beaudry, as the library isn’t just a place for exciting events; they do house books too.
In this small town, the library has really become a social hub of activity — one utilized by so much of the community.
The library’s Facebook page is a good way to keep up with what’s going on, or by calling the branch at (306) 759-2215.
The Tugaske Library is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 6:30pm, and Thursdays from 9am to 2pm. It is located on 106 Ogema St, but you’ll know it by its bright yellow door.
