Outstanding library service honoured at annual READ Awards

Posted on April 23, 2026 by admin

• Chinook Arch awards first ever Gillian Watkinson Doing a Lot with a Little Award 

Chinook Arch Regional Library System

Libraries in southwestern Alberta serve an important role in their communities. They listen to local needs and interests and respond by creating amazing programs, events, and opportunities to meet those needs. The READ Awards are held in recognition of this hard work. 

Presented annually, the READ Awards are judged by the Chinook Arch Marketing and Communications Committee based on excellence in library service, collaboration, innovation, community benefit, and transferability to other libraries. 

The committee was impressed by the nine submissions received and would like to congratulate the award winners below. Every year there are two $250 winners, two $500 winners, and two $750 winners. 

This year also marked the first presentation of the Gillian Watkinson “Doing a Lot with a Little” Award. In 2025 we lost Gill Watkinson, a dearly loved long-time Chinook Arch staff member. To honour her memory, it is our pleasure to announce this $500 annual award in her honour. Gill was passionate about libraries and the work that they do within their communities. She frequently remarked how incredible it was that libraries did “so much with so little.” 

The READ Awards were celebrated on Friday, April 17 during the Southern Alberta Library Conference. 

$750 READ Awards 

Coaldale Public Library: Mornings at the Museum 

Bringing families together for early-literacy and experiential learning in partnership with the local museum. Each week, children explore exhibits and engage in themed story times, songs, and hands-on activities— examples include learning about sugar beet history, painting with colored ice, trying on costumes, making butter, and observing live forge demonstrations. This immersive program connects literacy, STEAM, and local history while fostering community engagement and partnership. 

$500 READ Awards 

Magrath Public Library: Monday Nights at the Library 

Weekly the library is transformed the into a community hub for multigenerational fun and learning. Families engage in activities like Bad Art Night, Life-Sized Clue, Blizzard Book Battle, and Holiday Family Feud. These programs build connections across ages and abilities, strengthen bonds, and foster familiarity with library resources, all while creating an environment filled with laughter and creativity. 

$250 READ Awards 

Jim and Mary Kearl Library of Cardston: Inclusive Reading Corner 

This space was created to support children who find traditional library environments overwhelming. It features a soft enclosed tent, weighted blankets, and noise-cancelling headphones, and is designed to create a calm, child-centered environment. By removing barriers and promoting equitable access to literacy, this program has helped children feel welcome, supported, and confident in exploring books at their own pace. 

Glenwood Municipal Library: Kids Zone 

During the Provincial Teachers’ Strike the library offered a fun, welcoming space to children in the community each week, filled with games, hands-on activities, snacks, and creative exploration. Children engaged deeply by building, inventing, and learning together. Over the course of the program, 33 children participated, and the library provided a responsive, inclusive hub where families felt supported and connected during a challenging time. 

$500 Gillian Watkinson “Doing a Lot with a Little” Award 

Carmangay and District Municipal Library: More Than Books – Food Security and Community Connection at the Library 

This program started as a response to immediate food needs and has grown into a Satellite Food Bank and bi-weekly Food Rescue program. It operates in partnership with Vulcan Regional FCSS and the local Food Bank. It not only provides access to food but also reduces barriers, connects people to additional resources, and makes the library a welcoming, supportive hub for the whole community.