Here are a few highlights from March 2026 at RDPL!
Teen Café in March
On March 10, we celebrated Mario Day at our Teen Café program and watched the Super Mario Bros. Movie. We had 21 teens in attendance!
On March 24th, we had 15 teens making origami. They quite enjoyed it and would like for us to do it again at some point – it's so fun to see their creations!
Shoutout to Simon!
Library staff member Simon shared that a customer at the Dawe Branch expressed appreciation for advice that he previously provided on ways to pass the time. Acting on his suggestion, the customer began volunteering as a dishwasher at The Golden Circle. He described Simon as “a super dude!” (which, we can confirm, he really is!).
Thank you, Co-op!
We were once again the grateful recipients of a donation from Central Alberta Co-op, made possible with proceeds from their book exchange program. This $1275 donation will go toward enhancements to the children's play area at the Downtown Branch. Thank you SO MUCH, Co-op!
Tolkien Reading Day
On March 25, we held our third annual Tolkien Reading Day at the library. Four fellowships assembled to answer the threat of Mordor and complete a series of mini escape rooms. One attendee said she wished it was her birthday as she hadn’t had that much fun in ages! Huge shout out to Simon, Deb, Jenn, and Laura M. for running this fantastic fan-favourite event, and a special thanks to Alyssa and Cher for helping put the final touches on some of the event props as well.
Adult Literacy Program Highlights
The Adult Literacy Program welcomed 3 new tutors and 16 new learners in March. Fifteen pairs were matched with 150 learners still on the waitlist. In order to provide some learning opportunities to individuals on the waitlist, the Adult Literacy Program offered 4 language learning classes that focused on different levels of English language learning. Seventy-one (71) learners accessed these classes and worked toward improving their language skills.
In March, the Adult Literacy program also started the Skills for Learning class. This learning opportunity supports foundational learners in building confidence, developing an identity as a learner, advocating for themselves, and engaging in foundational and other learning. In this class, the participants are supported to trust that they can contribute valuable knowledge and skills to their learning. Individuals are encouraged to take learning risks without fear of shame or judgement, set clear goals and adopt practical strategies to achieve them. Participants are also supported to embrace challenges in learning and develop positive relationships in a learning community. Learners are able to strengthen their communication skills in a learning setting to support the use of those skills in the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.
Cozy Evenings: Heart Pillows Delivered
The heart pillows lovingly created by participants of the Cozy Evenings program in February have now reached their destination at Unit 61 of Pulmonary Medicine/Thoracic Surgery in Calgary. These handmade pillows will provide comfort and support to patients recovering from surgery, offering a small but meaningful reminder of community care and connection. The project beautifully reflects how creativity and compassion can come together to make a real difference beyond the walls of Red Deer Public Library.
Red Hot Science: Winter Series Wrap-Up
March marked the conclusion of our winter Red Hot Science series with the final program, Wireless Door Opener, offered at the Dawe and Timberlands branches of Red Deer Public Library. Over the course of the season, six engaging STEM programs were delivered to youth, sparking curiosity and hands-on learning through creative exploration. As we take a short break for the spring, we look forward to welcoming young innovators back for the summer Red Hot Science series – stay tuned for more exciting opportunities to discover, build, and experiment!
Katja’s March Highlights
March marked the conclusion of Katja’s winter Sit, Stay, Read with Katja program series at Red Deer Public Library, with sessions set to resume in the third week of April. Alongside her regular reading support, Katja enjoyed connecting with familiar faces at the Paper Bag Princess program and was delighted to be a special guest at both Toddler Story Fun and Baby Story Fun at the Dawe Branch. Her presence continues to bring comfort, joy, and a love of reading to participants of all ages.
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