Librarian hopes to open Hobbema's 1st public library

A librarianishoping books will improve reserve life for members of the troubledfour First Nations at Hobbema.

"My dream is to have a gathering for learning for the people of Hobbema, to have a community library which is open to everybody, not only in this community, but neighbouring communities and anybody in the world," saysManisha Kheterpal,head librarian at Maskwacis Cultural College at Hobbema.

Kheterpal, who isoriginally from India, has made it her mission to open a public libraryon the reserve, something the community does not yet have.

Shebelieves reading will lead to lower drop out rates, higher education and a better quality of life, somethingher mother taught her early on.

"I see the same thing happening which happened to me as a child," she said. "One of my students said he is requesting his grandchild to identify five words in the reading activity book I gave him. It's the families reading together."

Kheterpal looking fordonations of books, especially those aimed at children and young adults, to help reach her goal.

Donors can bringnew or used books to Maskwacis college in Hobbema, orat CBC's Centre Stage at Edmonton's City Centre Mall between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. until Wednesday.