WESTLOCK – The Westlock Library is marking a major milestone this year as it celebrates its 80th birthday.
The library, which first opened in 1945 as a one-room building, has grown into a cornerstone of the community. While the exact opening date remains a mystery, staff have been combing through newspaper archives in hopes of uncovering it.
“We looked through the newspaper archives to pin down the exact date, but we haven’t been able to,” said Mackenzie Kitz, one of the library’s staff members.
To commemorate its 80th birthday, the library is hosting a series of fun and nostalgic events throughout the year, with the main celebration planned for October.
Monthly prize draws are underway for patrons, with special incentives tied to having a library card. Every time a cardholder signs out materials, they’re automatically entered into a monthly patronage prize draw, running through December. Winners are announced at the end of each month.
In addition, there are birthday draws taking place monthly for patrons whose birthdays fall within that month. Those who celebrated birthdays in January, February, or March will still receive belated birthday gifts.
“There’s always time to sign up for a library card,” Kitz added.
The library is also inviting the community to take a stroll down memory lane with decade-themed displays featuring books, movies, and fun facts from each era the library has been open. These include snapshots of grocery prices, popular titles, and headlines from local news at the time.
Each month, a new decade will be showcased, offering a look back at the literary and cultural highlights that shaped the community through the years.
Details about the October birthday celebration will be shared closer to the date on the library’s social media channels.
