The Bonnyville Municipal Library will have a new librarian among the bookshelves.
Leah Woodford has officially checked in to her new role as library manager.
“I think it’s a really good opportunity for personal growth, to be involved in the community, and continue carrying on the good work that’s been happening here,” Woodford told the Nouvelle.
Woodford has lived in Alberta her whole life and has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. After moving to Cold Lake from Leduc seven years ago, where she was the youth services coordinator for the Leduc Public Library, she became the librarian at Assumption Jr./Sr. High School.
Along with a passion for reading, Woodford enjoys rugby and spending time with her family. She also refurbishes furniture, which began as a way of returning the antiques she collects to their original beauty.
Her love for libraries goes back to when she was young.
“I remember when I was a little girl, I visited the Edmonton Public Library with my auntie and we had to go all the way downstairs to the basement to see the puppet show,” she recalled. “I think that’s where it started, (my thinking) this place is cool, creative, and fun. It is for me, because that’s how I felt as a child; this is for me, this is my place.”
The position at the local library opened up after longtime manager Ina Smith decided to retire after 14 years at the helm.
“Ina has done an amazing job here, and so has the rest of the team,” Woodford exclaimed. “I hope that she enjoys her retirement, and I know people will continue to miss her even as I’m growing in the new position.”
When the library board was looking into possible replacements, Smith said Woodford’s experience and education were some of the aspects that made her stand out.
“She has her bachelor degree in education, and that gives her a good understanding of some of the background you need in the library world,” Smith added.
Woodford’s passion for literacy is even present in her personal life. During her travels, she has visited a number of different library locations and stressed that Bonnyville’s is amazing. She encouraged residents to take advantage of the local branch and everything it has to offer.
“I would say come and hang out with us, partake in some of the programs, get to know the staff, let them get to know you so that we can create a space that you find valuable, resources that you can tap into, because it’s so much more than books,” she exclaimed. “There’s literacy programs, programs for youth and teens that happen, and there’s support for adults. The more a person uses them, the more depth that they have for that individual because it does meet individual needs.”
She believes everything in her professional career has led her to where she is today.
“Living in different Alberta communities, because every time my father got a promotion we moved, and we always visited the library. It always had a sense of making you feel welcome and helpful. I think that’s the kind of person I am. I ended up in the place that made me feel that way as a child,” she said.
In order to help Woodford adjust to her new position, Smith is staying on until the end of the month. With a lot of learning ahead of her, Woodford has her sights set on the future and what it could mean for growth at the library.
“My plan is to get to know the community of Bonnyville in-depth, see what the community needs, and try to create that opportunity here in the library in terms of providing a stimulating place for imagination, comfortable spaces for people to enjoy the beauty of literature, and the programming.”
She continued, “I would also like to build strong relationships with the library and other community agencies, that’s really important, because then that way, the community itself gets stronger.”
Smith offered her congratulations to Woodford as she takes over as librarian.
“I’m wishing her all the best, and I’m very confident that she will continue to make the library the community hub that it is today.”
