Pennies still have value for the library


Assistant Library Manager Cheryl Pasechnik (left) and Manager Isabelle Cramp (right) fill a jar held by library staff member Aimée Ricard. The first donation to the Library’s Children’s Corner Penny Drive were received Thursday afternoon, kicking off the month-long fundraiser. – Morinville News Photo

By Morinville News Staff

Morinville – Those little chunks of copper that sit in coffee cans and sock drawers throughout the community may soon be discontinued, but the Morinville Community Library is looking for as many pennies as people are willing to give.

The library has been fundraising with local businesses and its adult patrons for the past several months, raising funds for much-needed materials and furniture for the soon-to-be-opened expanded facility. The library’s bronze book program, which recognized each donor of $100 or more will allow visitors to the new library to see the community library was made possible through the generosity of the community.

They are now adding another level of fundraising in the hopes Morinville’s children will get involved with the initiative by donating their pennies to the cause, something Library Manager Isabelle Cramp believes will give children a greater sense of ownership in the Community Library.

“The penny drive at the library is starting and will be focused towards the children in the community to encourage them and to enable them to have a part in the renovations of the library,” Cramp said, adding the penny drive money will be specifically earmarked for the children’s corner. “With the money that is raised by the children in our community, we will look for fun things, fun books, anything to make the children’s corner more welcoming and fun for the kids to come in and use.”

Cramp said a challenge is being issued to all elementary school classes in the community to see who can raise the most. The winning class will receive an ice cream party in their class and some special surprises.
But the penny drive is open to anyone and everyone willing to help out the library by ridding themselves of the soon-to-be-discontinued penny. Cramp said the pennies can be dropped off rolled or unrolled to either the Morinville Community Library, located in the basement of the Parish Hall, or to Higher Grounds Espresso Bar on 100 Avenue, next door to Don’s Bistro. Cramp said the penny drive is not limited to pennies and that the library will gladly accept nickels, dimes, quarters and even money that folds.

“The more that is raised, the more that we can do in the children’s corner,” she said, noting there are some particular things she and the library staff have their eye on that they feel children would really enjoy. “They will be the beneficiary from everything we raise.”

The library manager explained while the library serves everyone in the community, children play an especially important part in shaping library programming. Well-attended children’s programs include the library’s bilingual story time, designed for children three to five years of age. Although the program is on hiatus during the renovation, it will resume when the library reopens. Additionally, the summer reading program is set to take place again this July. “We usually have an intake of 100 children from three years old to 12 years old,” Cramp said. “It keeps them busy throughout the whole summer with reading and games and crafts, entertainers and prizes to be won.” Additionally, the library sees many parents with their children popping in throughout the year just to relax and do a bit of reading together.

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