Southeast Alberta libraries reveal contest winners for delivery van design. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

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The Shortgrass Library System offered a contest throughout southeast Alberta to give its delivery van a new artistic design.

Cardholders eighteen and under were encouraged to submit their design for the chance to see it driving all across southeast Alberta.

The Shortgrass Library System is comprised of 14 member public libraries across southeast Alberta.

The delivery van would be regularly making trips to all of these buildings, with the headquarters being located in Medicine Hat.

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In Irvine, Alta., on Thursday Nov. 28, the design of the van was revealed at the Irvine Community Library.

This was set up as a surprise to one of the design contest winners, nine-year-old Sarah Poole, who had yet to know that her design was part of the van.

“I was so happy and so surprised,” she said.

She explained the initial drawing she had made as part of the contest, that ended up on the van among other participant’s artwork.

“I wrote ‘read, laugh, adventure’, because that’s what I do in every book,” she said.

Sarah Poole exhibits her original drawing for the contest. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News.

Shortgrass library development services coordinator Sadaf Hakimizadeh explained the importance of artistic outputs for the younger generation.

“It fosters their imagination and creativity, and the theme was ‘Why I love My Library’,” she said.

‘It was very interesting for us to see how different they view their libraries and the different aspects of the libraries that they appreciated,” she added.

“I think they’re going to love seeing the van driving around, and everyone will see their art and see their names on the van, so I think they will be proud.”

She said there were 35 total submissions for the library van, and 13 art pieces were chosen to be displayed on the colourful exterior.

The Shortgrass Library System is already conceptualizing new contests, with other libraries expressing their interest, to create similar opportunities.

Poole wanted to encourage other kids to take part in activities like this one.

“If you’re afraid, you should always give it a chance. Even if you don’t win, you should be happy for the ones who win, and not be a poor sport,” she said.

Hakimizadeh encourages libraries to evolve with new generations, to improve communication and engagement with the children.

Contests like this prove that kids love an output that can give life to their imagination.