Issue link: https://lpl.uberflip.com/i/798732
In 2016, Library staff continued expanding the Library's reach out into the community by focusing on new and existing partnerships to provide resources and benefits centred on community needs. These partnerships empower the Library to provide an active and engaging environment not just for Library customers but for the community as a whole as they include diverse and inclusive programs and events with many of them taking place outside the Library's walls. As a trusted community player, the Library is excited to be continually moving forward in this direction. "We love our community partners. First, they are just good people, and it's nice to know good people. Secondly, it's wonderful to be able to do things for each other for the benefit of the Lethbridge community. Working together makes our dollars stretch further, our reach extend wider, and ideas and opportunities multiply. Not only do we here at the library learn about what these community organizations do, but they are often amazed to learn about all the things that the library does! Some of our favourite people are from the Lethbridge Sport Council. It's not often that librarians get to hang out with the "jocks," but they have been fun, fit, and introduced us to many people we wouldn't have the opportunity to meet. They've taught us how to throw a ball (part of physical literacy training!) and how important physical literacy is to everybody. We continue to make new friends in the community. We're grateful that they continue to invite us into their "family." We certainly welcome community organizations into our library family. We are stronger together." Forging Connections that Make the Most of Everyone's Expertise by Barbara, Longair, Manager, Children's Services and Lisa Weekes, Manager, Information Services Our Community Partners: Lethbridge Early Years Coalition, Lethbridge Sport Council, South Region Parents as Teachers, University of Lethbridge: Education Department, Applied Studies Department; Red Crow College, Lethbridge Asset Builders, Ladies Learning to Code, School District 51, Helen Schuler Nature Centre, St. John Ambulance, Lethbridge College – Be Fit for Life Centre, Money Mentors, Healthy Lethbridge, Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Waterton Natural History Association, Alberta Environment and Parks, City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Seniors Community Forum, Alberta Health Services and Immigrant Services Special Thanks to Our Community Friends Who Make Our Author Readings Possible: Lethbridge Children's Literature Roundtable, Taleblazers, Young Alberta Book Society, Chinook Arch Regional Library System and the Canada Council for the Arts 27