The Dickson Bequest

Read about Another Page Bursary

In 2003 the Library received a $500,000 bequest from John & Margaret Dickson.  This page will provide the latest information on how this money is helping to enhance Library service in Red Deer.

High School teachers Margaret and John Dickson taught in schools around Alberta. A childless couple, they devoted their energy and money to a variety of worthwhile pursuits. The Dicksons were avid library users, and in recognition of the importance of libraries to youth, they established a charitable remainder trust during their lifetimes, allowing them to shelter a portion of their investment income. Margaret Dickson died in 1999, and John Dickson died in 2003. Their generosity will live on in continuing programs at the library and through new spaces in the mezz - the Downtown Rotary Teen Space - that will bear their name.

September 14, 2006
Dickson Programs

"This program is made possible by a grant from the John & Margaret Dickson Bequest."  You'll be seeing those words on lots of posters in the mezz and around town.  Funds from the John & Margaret Dickson Public Library Fund at the Red Deer & District Community Foundation will help to pay for teen programs at Red Deer Public Library forever.

The first Dickson program was the very successful Fear Factor program on August 3rd.

February 17, 2007

Dickson Bursaries
The Library Board approved $500 one-time Bursaries to Library Pages who go on to post-secondary studies.  These will be funded from the John & Margaret Dickson Public Library Fund at the Red Deer & District Community Foundation. 

Donna Alberts, Youth Services Librarian presents a checque to Megan Moore for the 2008 Dickson Bursary.

Kayce Abalos (with Page Supervisor Jannie Ypma)
Lindsay Angelstad (with Page Supervisor Jannie Ypma)		Tyler Dixon (with Page Supervisor Jannie Ypma)
The first four Dickson Bursaries were presented in the summer of 2005:
Cliff Glenn (with Page Supervisor Jannie Ypma)		Jane Franz (with Library Director Dean Frey)
Karen Grok (with Circulation & Children's Librarian Donna Alberts)		Leanne Langlois (with Page Supervisor Jannie Ypma)

We wish all our Dickson Bursary recipients the best of luck in their post-secondary studies!

February 2, 2005

The Dickson Tower

On February 2, 2005 we opened the mezz - the Downtown Rotary Teen Space.   An $80,000 contribution from the Dickson Bequest helped make this project a reality.

To help commemorate the Dickson's contribution to Red Deer Public Library, we've named the North Tower of the 1914 Firehall the Dickson Tower.  The Dickson Tower is an important part of the mezz, and is home to Jen Waters, our Teen Services Librarian.  For more information on programming in the mezz, check out the mezz web page.

December 16, 2004

The John & Margaret Dickson Public Library Fund
at the Red Deer & District Community Foundation

The Library Board has set up the John & Margaret Dickson Public Library Fund at the Red Deer & District Community Foundation with $240,000 from the Dickson Bequest.  Money from this fund will go to programs, collections & services of special interest to teens.

Original Press Release - October 20, 2003

For more information on the Dickson Bequest, or on making gifts or bequests to Red Deer Public Library, contact:

Red Deer Public Library is a registered charity and can provide tax receipts based on the value of gifts.