One by One
Camrose Public Library, Recipient

Camrose Public Library

Camrose, Alberta

‘More than books’: Library staff T-shirts share key message

Like many modern libraries across North America, Camrose Public Library is more than a place to check out books—it’s a community hub where people connect, learn and find support. The Camrose library serves the central Alberta city of about 20,000 people, offering access to resources, programs and spaces designed to bring people together and meet the needs of the community in creative ways.

“The idea of ‘third spaces’ is really big in conversations in the global zeitgeist and it’s particularly true in Camrose,” said Alyssa Martin, director. “There aren’t many public spaces. We don’t have a community centre. But our library is open to absolutely everyone. You don’t have to belong to a specific group or have any certain personal beliefs—and you don’t have to pay anything.”

Catalog of community resources

Beyond traditional library services, Camrose Public Library hosts programs for new parents, offers one-on-one tech assistance for older adults and supports people caring for loved ones living with dementia. It also partners with local organizations to tackle challenges like food insecurity, hosting a community pantry and providing after-school snacks for students.

Its Book Bike program extends the library’s reach beyond its walls, bringing resources directly into neighbourhoods across Camrose. The program functions as a “library on wheels,” Martin said, allowing residents to check out and return materials, register for library cards and access free Wi-Fi at parks, community events and other public spaces. Through the program, staff lead activities and informal programming, creating opportunities for connection—especially for children, new residents of Camrose and older adults who may have difficulty accessing the physical library.

Promotional staff shirts help spread the word

A one by one grant provided staff T-shirts worn during two public events in late spring and early summer: Jaywalkers Jamboree—a three-day community festival with thousands of attendees—and a kickoff event for a new electric-assist Book Bike that will expand the program’s reach.

Employees of the library voted on the design that would be imprinted on the shirts. The winning design was “More Than Books,” which Martin said helped educate the public on the expansive programming the library offers. “It was a really great moment for us to be able to spread that message,” she said.

A note from Cheryl

The team at Camrose Public Library is committed to providing a range of resources for the community. We were proud to help them promote their work by providing staff T-shirts. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.ca.

For more information about Camrose Public Library, please visit https://prl.ab.ca/Camrose

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