KIM BURTON-SCHRAM
Local journalism initiative reporter
Rebecca Luck, Director of SDG Library Services, has been updating municipal councils on the system’s success, with membership continuing to grow across the 15 branches.
Over 30,000 visits are made to branches in North and South Glengarry, with the Alexandria branch having over 17,000 visits alone.
The branches are a community hub for residents, not only offering books but programs throughout the year geared toward all age groups.
Branches offer story time for toddlers, interactive events for school age children, along with knitting groups, yoga classes and paint nights for adult members. As well, branches in Alexandria and Maxville host the Boys and Girls Club.
$13,000 investment
In 2025, the Library Services reached out to the Upper Canada District School Board to partner with the Parent Involvement Committee and with educators in choosing new materials, investing $13,000 in books that present social concerns, such as inclusivity.
SDG Library is hoping to further partner with schools to establish the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, to encourage reading in children before they start their education. As well, SDG Library has created the Pages for Presents initiative, where the community is invited to donate new books to be given to children in need.
For adults, the One Book, One Community program has members reading the same book before an evening to meet the author.
The Library Services also offer outreach services to long-term care residents or those who are unable to visit a branch. Books will be chosen with the reader’s interests in mind and delivered to their residence by a volunteer or staff member.
Beyond borrowing books, members can borrow musical instruments – perfect for the budding musician to try out different instruments before investing in their chosen one.
Members can borrow passes to participating museums in Ottawa; they have access to computers available in the library branches; use the 3D printer to bring their ideas to three-dimensional existence; make buttons; print T-shirts and even access a die-cutting machine, all in the MakerLab at their local branch.
Branches offer a place for children to explore, create and have hands-on fun.
This year, volunteers and staff developed the Take & Make Kits for kids. The kit included a template for a bookmark, thread to sew a design on the bookmark and a needle using a 3D printer to “print” a needle.
Reading Club
In the summer, the library hosts a seven-week bilingual Reading Club, where youth are inspired to read books on any subject that interests them.
Kids of all ages receive a ballot for each book they read; ballots go toward the chance to win a prize. In 2025, 1,300 engaged youth readers participated and 4,000 ballots were entered for prizes.
Luck says the goals for the upcoming year are to develop a strategic plan for growing membership, improving and possibly expanding current facilities and further collaborating with schools and townships to promote all that the library branches have to offer.
South Glengarry Mayor Lachlan McDonald said the Library is a great resource for the communities and equalizes opportunities for residents. “Have a garden, feed your body,” said Mayor McDonald, “have a library, feed your mind.”
Membership is free to anyone who lives, attends school or owns property in SDG. A non-resident membership is available for $35. Visit www.sdglibrary.ca for details.
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