The Sheep River Library in Turner Valley is turning the page on traditional library standards.

Thanks to New Horizon's grant funding and awards the library can now offer household items such as tools, quilting supplies, and outdoor equipment all for the cost of a membership.

Library manager Jan Burney says the grant money has given them an opportunity to offer makerspace tools and crafting supplies to Foothills residents.

"We had applied for a grant with New Horizons for Seniors, to create a maker space in the library."  Burney says "We were awarded the grant to create a space in the library for cupboards and storage to keep all of the things that you would need to do makerspace crafts and tools."

Burney says they created the storage for people who have none at home, and it will allow users to save money on buying tools they don't use very often..

"The thought behind it was that a lot of seniors downsize in their later years into smaller apartments. They don't usually have space for a lot of the crafting items or tools at home any more, and most tools are used for 15 minutes and then stored unless you're a professional."

Another grant gave the Sheep River Library the opportunity to fill backpacks with outdoor supplies and equipment such as compasses and snacks.

Burney says the outdoor packs have been part of a hugely successful program that has brought in a more adventurous crowd.

"That was part of another New Horizons grant, from when we started up the ship river ramblers." Burney adds "That's turned into a huge program we have about 250 people just on the e-mail list for that one."

Members don't pay any extra to take out tools crafting supplies or outdoor packs. They only show their library card and pay their membership dues.

The library has many different tools such as drills, pliers, wrench sets and other variable power and hand tools.

They also offer quilting supplies such as mats, cutters, and rulers as a start to their crafting section.

For more information on memberships and what the library has in stock, you can click here to go to their website.

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