Vegreville Centennial Library Welcomes Library Manager Kira Chalupa

Vegreville Centennial Library Welcomes Library Manager Kira Chalupa

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Kira Chalupa is the new face at the Vegreville Centennial Library. The new Library Manager officially began her tenure on Nov. 1.

She was raised in Grimshaw, Alberta and lived there until she moved to Edmonton for University studies.

“I live in Vegreville now. My partner and I just moved into a rental at the end of October. We are enjoying Vegreville so far. People have been very welcoming and it’s nice to come back to a small town,”

When asked about her family life, Chalupa said, “I have a wonderful partner, who is extremely supportive and encouraging. Together, we have three pets: a miniature Australian shepherd named Loki; a cat named Sumo; and a rabbit named Gilbert.”

When asked why she decided to take up a career as a librarian, Chalupa said, “I spent a lot of time in my hometown library as a child and teenager. I always felt very welcome in libraries and the idea that I could help make others feel welcome in libraries, is part of the reason I decided to pursue librarianship.

I’ve been extremely fortunate to work in so many different libraries and work with and learn from exceptionally talented, inspiring, and wonderful people. I’ve been extremely lucky in my experiences and am looking forward to what is to come.

I love libraries because they feel like home to me. They’re an amazing resource for locals and travelers, and have so much to offer to a variety of people and their needs.

The best part about reading, for me, is getting swept up in the story. I love when I put a book down and I can’t stop thinking about the next time I can continue reading it. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop talks about the importance of books and stories acting as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. She explains how people see themselves and others in stories, how reading builds empathy, and the importance and necessity of diverse representation.

Books and stories can mirror our own lives and experiences. They can also act as windows that allow us to witness and connect with diverse characters and their lives.

New Library Manager Kira Chalupa.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Libraries have a special versatility about them, in my opinion. There are so many things you can do, access, experience, and participate in at a library. Somehow, we have something for everyone, or at least, we strive to. We have programs for different groups, offer meeting spaces, access to public computers, and access to several different resources to meet people’s information needs, and be a safe space for people to come into.

Last year, we added snowshoes to the library’s collection! We have iPads that we use for programming, and we are increasing the materials in our Languages sections. We are also part of the Northern Lights Library System, which helps us access more, too – through their own floating collection, as well as the other libraries that are part of our region and other regions in Alberta.

Libraries are community hubs because they can be safe space people need and a space for personal and professional growth. The library’s current mission statement is that ‘We strive to be Vegreville’s Community Living Room, offering programs and resources for everyone, in a welcoming and inclusive space.’ I think this speaks to why the library is, and can continue to be, the central hub of the community.

My vision for Vegreville Centennial Library is to reduce barriers, increase accessibility to information, provide meaningful and relevant programming by connecting with local groups and organizations, and continue to be a welcoming space to all, including those who have not yet explored what we have to offer. I hope my contributions to the library will be enthusiasm, empathy, collaboration, a few new ideas, and a new perspective,” Chalupa added.