DIDSBURY - The Didsbury Municipal Library has a new manager and she has already checked in.
Monique Fiedler came to town from Banff where she was an assistant library director.
She replaces Inez Kosinski who retired in October after almost 20 years at the Didsbury library.
Fiedler started in Didsbury at the beginning of December and is enjoying the job and the town in the short time she's been here.
"I think the town is great so far," said Fiedler. "It's unexpectedly charming because of all the heritage buildings downtown. I had no idea. All the brick buildings. It's wonderful. There's so much character and the residents have been incredibly friendly. It's been so long since I've lived in Sylvan (Lake) that I've forgotten that small-town feel."
Fiedler said she's already had many residents drop in and say hi and welcome her to town.
"I'm really excited to be here," she said. "The community members have been so welcoming."
She grew up not far from Didsbury.
"I grew up in Sylvan Lake," she said. "It's not too far from here. My parents are still there. I was at that library for four and a half years. That's where my passion for libraries first came from. I loved working there so much I thought this sounds like a fabulous career. So that's what I wanted to pursue."
She attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton where she received her master's in library and information studies.
"My first diploma and degree was through Red Deer College," she said. "They have a collaborative program through the University of Calgary. I was able to live in Sylvan and do most of my schooling in Red Deer. So that was great."
Fiedler says that libraries are such a valuable resource for towns and cities.
"What I love about libraries is how accessible and inclusive they are," she said. "When you think about it libraries are really the last indoor public space. Even if you were thinking of a mall or community centre -- those you can be kicked out of.
"Every single member of the community can come into the library and stay the whole day."
Fiedler said that the library has resources and services created to meet the needs of the community.
"That's why we do so many assessments," she said. "To figure out what people need and then we work to fill that need. The fact we're accessible, inclusive and community led, that's what makes libraries really exciting."
Fiedler said that the library is the community's "living room."
"It's the community hub," she said. "It's where people can come together to connect with one another, to connect with the community, to connect with the library, to connect with the services we offer including reading. It's a place of connection. This is what really helps the fabric of the community."
Fiedler said she is grateful for the great work Kosinski did in following trends for the Didsbury library.
"The reason I was attracted to this library in particular is because Inez did a really fabulous job of being on top of trends," she said. "I believe this is one of the first libaries around to have a maker's space in all of Alberta; they have their seed library; they have tons of technology such as iPads."
Fiedler said the library also runs a number of great programs for all ages from youth right up to seniors.
"We have tons of programs," she said. "The programs, services, access to information and technology you wouldn't normally have -- we just listen to the community, they tell us what they want and that's what we work towards."
Fiedler said that she is excited about working with the town towards a possible library expansion.
"It seems like people are really excited about it and people are on board with wanting it to happen," she said.
