Coaldale celebrates town and library history with week-long events

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. CELEBRATIONS: Members of the community joined past and present library staff and members of town council on June 2 for the official opening of the “Pages of the Past” exhibit - celebrating 80 years of library and community history at the Coaldale Public Library. Celebrating the opening of the time capsule are Coaldale town councillors, past and present: (Left to right) Linda Flaman, Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn, Vic Mench, Shari Duda, Duncan Lloyd, Jordan Sailer, Lisa Reis, Jason Beekman, Jacen Abrey, Dale Pickering, and Doreen Lloyd.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

The community came out to celebrate the town, the library and their shared history at the official opening of the Pages of the Past exhibit at the Coaldale Public Library on June 2.  

There was a sense of excitement and anticipation as members of the public joined past and present library staff and members of town council, as they gathered for the exhibit launch and the opening of Coaldale’s time capsule that was sealed 25 years ago.  

‘Pages of the Past –  80 Years of Library and Community History’, which marks the Coaldale Public Library’s 80th anniversary, runs until July 28. The exhibit features a look back at some of the library and town’s history, curated by the Gem of the West Museum. The exhibit itself took several months to prepare, with library and museum staff working on the project since January. 

“This is our retrospective of Coaldale history but with a special focus on the history of our library,” said Myla Demers, program coordinator for the Coaldale Public Library.

“You can see photos of some of the different buildings that our library has lived in over the years, see photos of the first person who had a library card, see some of the photos of when our library got its expansion and the history of those sorts of things,” she added, noting several photos in the exhibit are from the Galt Museum in Lethbridge, while several others have been collected through Coaldale’s Gem of the West Museum. 

The long-anticipated opening of the Town of Coaldale Millennium Time Capsule also took place. Sealed in the year 2000 and scheduled to be opened in May 2025, the time capsule was opened and items revealed for the first time during the exhibit’s opening night. 

“They entrusted us 25 years later to open this capsule, and remember who we are, what we value and what we envision for the future,” said Town of Coaldale Mayor, Jack Van Rijn. “As we open it tonight, we’re not just unveiling memories from the past, we are reconnecting with the community spirit that built the foundation of today’s Coaldale.”

Van Rijn thanked the previous community members and council members who contributed to the time capsule and recognized present and former members of council in attendance including Linda Flaman, Jack Van Rijn, Vic Mench, Shari Duda, Duncan Lloyd, Jordan Sailer, Lisa Reis, Jason Beekman, Jacen Abrey, Dale Pickering, and Doreen Lloyd.

“This moment also invites us to reflect on our role in shaping Coaldale’s future – one day, a new generation will look back on our time, just as we’re looking back on theirs,” he added. “Let’s ensure we leave behind stories, values and a legacy worth remembering.”  

Some of the items sealed in the time capsule included colouring pages and letters from local schools, photos of the former mayor and councillors, Catholic Women’s League pins, a Town of Coaldale flag, a couple old copies of the Sunny South News, copies of magazines, individual letters from Coaldale residents, a Blue Jays World Series champions t-shirt, a collection of old coins, newspaper clippings and articles, a postcard stamped with an eight cent stamp, Coaldale police and fire badges, Gem of the West museum news article and photos, items marking Coaldale’s 75th anniversary, artwork from the Birds of Prey Centre and more.  

The exhibit, located in the McCain Gallery, showcases old photos, shared memories and a historical display from the past 80 years. 

“It’s very exciting. It’s a wonderful culmination of the past and also a celebration of our future and where we’re headed,” said Kindra Birss, head librarian at Coaldale Public Library, who also shared a few words at the event. “Tonight we are joined by former head librarians, dedicated past staff, board members and community champions – your vision, commitment and love for this library laid the foundation for everything we are today,” she told guests in attendance. 

Gem of the West Museum’s executive director, Craig Day, spoke about the shared history between the library and the town. 

“This background reflects the heritage and helped shape the community we see today,” said Day. “The library’s history also reflects that with the same community spirit – it began in 1945 in the old converted garage portion of the old town office …it was just a small space filled with donated books and big ambitions,” he added, noting the library’s modest beginnings with 17 members in the library’s first year with many early librarians wartime brides who made a long-lasting impact in creating programs like story hour, reading clubs and adding local content in addition to managing books.

“As the years went by, generations of community members continued that tradition of support and service. One of the most consistent and impactful sources has been the Friends of the Library, founded in 1998,” said Day. “This dedicated group of volunteers helped shaped the library. Through growth, fundraising and advocacy, their efforts made it possible for many enhancements, from equipment to furniture, art exhibits and special programs,” he added.     

In addition, the Pages of the Past exhibit displayed old photos of the Coaldale community and the library over the years, shared from the Galt Museum. 

Long-time Coaldale resident and former Lethbridge County councillor, Marlene McCann, was excited to see the celebration of the Coaldale Public Library’s 80th anniversary and noted the vital role it has played over the years.

“The library is such an important part of our community – they’re just the heart of the community,” said McCann.

The library had its beginnings in 1945 and the Town of Coaldale took over the Coaldale Public Library in 1959 when Dr. James Oshiro was the council representative on the library board. 

His daughter, Sharon Oshiro-Dyck and her husband Bill, were at the event and shared how meaningful it was to be at the exhibit opening, partake in the time capsule reveal, and share memories of the community.   

“It’s very, very special because it’s about legacy, it’s about heritage and it’s about building this amazing community,” said Oshiro-Dyck, noting both she and her husband taught in Coaldale for many years. “My father had graduated from the University of Manitoba and he was hired by the Mennonite Health Committee to be a doctor in this community and he never left,” she added, noting his time on council and other committees, before he became Chancellor at the University of Lethbridge. 

Jane Franz, who began working at the library in 1988, was the head librarian at the Coaldale Public Library from 1996-2011 and said the event was an enjoyable time of reconnecting and sharing memories. 

“It’s lovely to see the historical documents and see some old friends and faces,” said Franz.” 

The Coaldale Public Library wrapped up the week of celebrations with a family event on June 7 that included games, activities, balloon twisting, face painting, entertainment, and birthday cake. With the time capsule now open, the Town of Coaldale plans to catalogue each item and will place them on display at the Gem of the West Museum.