Posted on 19 December 2023 by Chris Brown.
The Medicine Hat Public Library is excited to announce its Casual Cash Employment initiative has been honoured by the Government of Alberta’s Minister’s Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence.
The Casual Cash Employment program gives a small, stable income and provides community connection to marginalized people in Medicine Hat.
“We are thrilled to have this innovative service recognized by the
province,” says chief librarian Ken Feser. “We know that it has great positive
impact on participants, both the small amount of money it provides and the
sense of belonging it gives, but it gives us confidence when others can see the
benefit.
Since it was started in 2021 the program has seen more than 50 Medicine Hat residents work a total of more than 300 events.
Setting up and hosting Community Coffees on Monday and Friday morning is the primary ask of the workers. They also help with other events like book sales held by the Friends of the Medicine Hat Public Library Society.
The program is funded by the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society. Jamie Rogers, the society’s manager of Homeless and Housing Development, says the idea for the program came from those in the marginalized community, who said it would be helpful for them to achieve a higher degree of housing stability and wellbeing.
“Congratulations to the Medicine Hat Public Library and the board on receiving this award and thank you for your commitment to the Casual Cash Employment program,” she says. “It is a much-needed program in the community with far-reaching benefits for participants and the community as a whole.”
The City of Medicine Hat Library Board is one of two winners in the category for library boards serving a population of 10,000 people. The Town of Canmore Library Board was recognized in the same category.
To learn more about the Casual Cash Employment program view the video produced by the Medicine Hat Public Library on the province’s Your Alberta YouTube page.
For more on the Minister’s Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence visit the Government of Alberta website.