Winkler Library Renovations Continue As Summer Reading Wraps Up

The South Central Regional Library summer reading program has wrapped up in the Pembina Valley.

While the Winkler Branch was partially closed for renovations after unexpected water damage, Director of Library Services Cathy Ching explains they still saw 250 children register for the program.

"Attendance was a little bit lower, Winkler had 250 children whereas normally they have over 400, so it did make a difference to have the library not fully accessible," Ching says. "But they were still happy with the number of kids who still came."

When a water main break flooded parts of the Winkler Libary, staff worked overtime to open a temporary children's library for the summer.

However, Ching notes crews are still renovating the Winkler branch. While frustrating for the staff and library visitors, Ching says the wait will be worth it with a new coat of paint, carpet, and layout.

"It will feel like a new library," she says. "And there will be so many new books on the shelf because we're still cataloging and processing books... people will be overwhelmed with the selection."

She adds a re-opening date for the Winkler branch has not been set.