Here are a few highlights from September 2025 at RDPL!
Ukrainian Heritage Fair: A Celebration of Culture and Community
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Ukrainian Heritage Fair at Red Deer Public Library such a memorable success! With more than 110 visitors joining us, the day was filled with artistry, creativity, and a true sense of community. Guests shared how much they appreciated the warm atmosphere, the variety of cultural experiences, and the chance to connect with local artisans and performers.
The energy in the room was inspiring, and we’re grateful to each person who shared their talents, time, and passion to bring this event to life. Special thanks go to Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership and the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery for their outstanding partnership in enriching the conversations and connections throughout the day.
A DINOmite Reveal!
On Saturday, September 27, we unveiled our pop-up fossil exhibit from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology!
Red Deer's specimen includes the skull and paw of a pantodont, a large herbivorous mammal. This specimen was found in 2001 during a road-widening project just east of Red Deer from a Palaeocene-aged site (approx. 60 million years old!). Pantodonts were one of the first groups of mammals to evolve a large body size after the extinction of the dinosaurs. Stop by the Downtown Branch any time during open hours to visit the pop-up exhibit.
This exhibit, one of ten in Alberta libraries, will remain at the Downtown Branch until September 2026. The pop-up exhibits are part of the Royal Tyrrell Museums's 40th Anniversary celebrations, and we are so grateful to have been selected as one of the host locations!
Learn more at rdpl.org/palaeo, opens a new window
Huge Attendance at Teen Café!
At our Teen Café program on September 23, participants watched the 1987 animated classic The Chipmunk Adventure. We were joined by 37 teens! '
Staff Learning Day
On September 26, staff gathered in the Snell Auditorium of the Downtown Branch for our annual Staff Development Day.
After acknowledging the traditional lands we are privileged to meet on, the day began with a session from CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) that focused on compassion fatigue and self-care. The presentation offered staff a chance to reflect on their own well-being and explore ways to support one another both personally and professionally. CMHA also brought colouring sheets for staff to enjoy during the session, which was a clear hit, as the tables were decorated with colourful artwork after the session.
Throughout the day, staff were able to take part in a craft and bake sale and purchase 50/50 tickets. Proceeds from both were donated to the Red Deer Native Friendship Society (an important and frequent partner with RDPL) and Medicine River Wildlife Centre (who rescued and gave a loving home to the pigeon who made the downtown branch HVAC system it’s temporary home this past spring).
After a delicious lunch, the afternoon featured an informative session from the PEP Society (Parents Empowering Parents) on supporting those facing addiction in both personal and workplace settings.
We ended the day with a fun round of banned-book trivia, complete with a quirky book-themed trophy for the winning team and some exciting door prize draws, sending a few lucky staff home with great prizes (and a few laughs after one staff took home the consolation sanitizer prize, that no one else wanted). Pictured below are our Trivia champs!
Parkland Regional Library Conference
Four library staff and one RDPL board member attended the Parkland Regional Library 2025 Conference, with Shay presenting a well-received session called It Isn’t Personal: Harm Reduction in The Library. Session slides and notes are available at the link above.
Puzzle Fun
On September 25, we hosted another Jigsaw Puzzle Competition with a challenging little twist... participants weren't allowed to look at the picture of their puzzle! It was a fun-filled challenge packed with lots of laughter and excellent teamwork. Congrats to our winning team who took home gift cards, generously donated by CompuSoft and the Game Store!
Join us for our next Jigsaw Puzzle Competition on October 30 where you can meet someone new! Register yourself and we will put you on a team for a team puzzle competition. Sign up here.
Final Ride of the Season
To wrap up the biking season, Red Deer Public Library hosted the third Fancy Women Bike Ride of the season, Tweed Ride and Tea. Fifteen participants enjoyed two scenic 6 km rides before gathering at the Timberlands Branch for a proper British tea party with scones, cake, and a variety of teas. The weather was perfect, and the sit-down tea between rides was a highlight of the day. With the 2025 season now behind us, planning for 2026 has already begun – rumour has it a community picnic at McKenzie Trails Recreation Area might be in the works!
Add a comment to: Monthly Highlights: September 2025