Red Deer Public Library will be a major sponsor for an exciting event at the Capri Hotel on Monday, April 28th. John Wood, the founder and CEO of Room to Read, will be speaking to more than 1,000 people at a luncheon organized by the Rotary Clubs of Red Deer. Room to Read is a nonprofit organization that "...combines the heart of Mother Theresa with the scalability of Starbucks". Wood, a former corporate leader from Microsoft, founded Room to Read out of deep concern that nearly one billion people lack basic literacy. Blessed with a solid education which was a wonderful foundation for his future, Wood started the organization as a way to give that same opportunity to children in the world's poorest countries. Wood's story is told in his book Leaving Microsoft to Change the World.

Rotary International has identified Literacy as a major focus for its excellent work in many countries around the world.  Local clubs provide strong support to global literacy initiatives, but they also are very interested in making local connections as well. That's what makes this project so exciting. It provides the highest possible profile for RDPL and its Adult Literacy and Family Literacy Programs. It also provides a focus for the discussion we've had in the past few years amongst Board and staff members about getting involved with library communities in the Third World. Wood brings an exciting message that places literacy and libraries right in the centre of a major initiative to make the world and our local communities better places. That's right where we should be.

There are still some tables for 8 ($300) and individual seats ($42.85) available for the event, which takes place at the Exhibition Hall, Capri Centre, 3310-50 Ave., Red Deer, at 11:30 a.m., Monday, April 28, 2008. Contact Rotarians Phil Hyde (358-2343) or Shelley Ralson (343-7334) if you'd like to attend.

Lots of changes happening at RDPL.   At the end of March we shut down the Dawe Branch for renovations, and later this month, we'll be opening the Lion Plaza express Branch.  But what about the Adult Literacy Program, a fixture at Dawe for many years?  Read this article for the latest information: 

Red Deer Public Library's Adult Literacy Program is on the move. On March 31, the doors will close at our Dawe Centre location and open again on April 21 at our temporary location at our Lion Plaza Branch.

The Adult Literacy Program has been in Red Deer for over twenty years and is funded by Advanced Education and the Red Deer Public Library. Students of our program are adults who want to improve their literacy skills. Our mandate is to serve Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents. Many are newcomers to Canada who would like to improve their English language skills.

The program is designed to assist adults in the areas of: reading, writing, speaking, listening and math. Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with students on topics of the student's choice, at a pace tailored to each student's needs.

Most of our volunteers spend two hours a week making a difference in another person's life. The pairs meet at a time that is mutually convenient, usually at the Dawe Library, though sometimes at another public place. We provide training and ongoing support to our tutors.

If you are interested in making a difference in someone's life, empowering them with skills and confidence, consider volunteering with us. If you or someone you know, would like help with reading, writing, pronunciation and/or math please stop in and see us at Lion Plaza. For more information, please phone 346-2533, visit us at Unit #2 7710 - 50 Ave., or email us at adlit@rdpl.org.

During 2007 the Library spent the second of its $135,000 Library Service Grants (LSG), a funding project of Alberta Municipal Affairs & Housing's Libraries Branch. 

Read this report on the projects, services, and programs that were made possible thanks to this initiative.

Many thanks to the Minister and staff of the Department for making these funds available.  Thanks also go to our local MLA Mary Anne Jablonski and former MLA Victor Doerksen, for their support in making new provincial funds available to public libraries.

The Library broke new ground in the past two years thanks partly to this grant program.  The Library has created a more interactive suite of programs and services based on Community Development principles: social justice, participation, equality, learning and cooperation. 

Finally, thanks should go to the Library Board for their help in planning LSG programs, and to the Library Management Team and staff for making everything happen.