Cardston Library receives CFLSA grant

Westwind Weekly News Photo Submitted

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Jim and Mary Kearl Library in Cardston recently received a grant of $10,000 from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta.

“We are genuinely grateful to receive this financial assistance from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta,” said Mary Lou Nichols, manager of the Jim and Mary Kearl Library. “Grants like this make a real difference for us, because they allow us to move forward with improvements that are necessary but difficult to fund through our regular operating budget. We were genuinely grateful and excited about what this will allow us to do. This is a meaningful investment in a space that so many people in our community rely on every day. Staff were especially pleased because this directly impacts the daily experience of patrons. We immediately started talking about how much of a difference updated, easily sanitized furniture will make—not just in terms of appearance, but in comfort, accessibility, and overall safety.”

This grant, Nichols stated, was awarded in support of the library’s project “Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces Through Library Furniture Renewal” and will allow them to replace approximately 20-year-old fabric furniture that has become difficult to properly clean and maintain over time. 

“This is an important upgrade for us, especially when it comes to keeping a public space like the library safe and hygienic for everyone who uses it,” said Nichols. “New furniture will make a noticeable difference in day-to-day use. It will be easier to sanitize, more durable, and more comfortable for patrons and staff. That means a healthier and more welcoming space for children, families, seniors, and anyone who comes in to read, study, attend programs, or spend time in the library.”

The funding, Nichols said, also reinforces how valued the library is within the broader community. 

“It shows a shared commitment to maintaining welcoming, inclusive public spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds feel comfortable spending time,” said Nichols. “We also feel encouraged knowing that organizations like the Community Foundation recognize the importance of libraries as essential community hubs. This support helps us continue offering a space that is not only functional, but truly welcoming, accessible, and supportive for patrons, staff, and families. Overall, we feel very supported, appreciative, and motivated. It’s an investment in both our facility and the wellbeing of the community we serve.”