The Sault Ste Marie Public Library is moving beyond lending books and movies to offering a way for people to enjoy the great Canadian outdoors during the winter.
Library card holders will now be able to borrow snowshoes thanks to a new initiative between the Sault Ste Marie Public Library (SSMPL) and Hiawatha Highlands.
Many libraries across Canada are adding everyday objects to enrich the lives of people in the communities they serve, said Elise Schofield, manager of community engagement at SSMPL.
“Libraries have traditionally been offering books and movies, but we are expanding further to provide more opportunities for our community — whether that be events, programming, research services, or VHS-to-DVD service,” said Schofield.
Currently, SSMPL has six pairs of snowshoes available to lend - four in children’s sizes, one small adult and one in large adult size. Schofield said the snowshoes are currently lent out and there is a lengthy waiting list.
“There may be more to come. We are just seeing how the community reacts to this new project,” she said.
The snowshoes have been added to a growing ‘object library at SSMPL, which already includes radon testing kits, disc golf equipment and urban poles for walking.
Schofield said offering objects to lend can help people in the community to try something new before committing to the expense of it.
“It’s taking down that financial barrier and giving the opportunity for someone who might not be as fortunate or just doesn’t have the same level of commitment and just wants to try something new,” she said. “For some of us, we take for granted the ability to rent or buy snowshoes.”
One segment of the population that was considered for the new initiative are people new to Canada or who are from other parts of Canada that may not experience as much snow as Sault Ste. Marie.
“It’s giving the opportunity for everyone new to Canada and new to the area to try something new and not have any financial obligations for doing it and to experience the Canadian snow,” said Schofield.
New Canadians experiencing snow for the first time is something Tina Bowen, operations manager at Hiawatha Highlands, has seen many times over the years. Pre-COVID that facility offered outdoor programming for Northland Adult Learning Centre.
“It was learning English as a new language and we had people who would come out for the program who had never seen snow before and it was rather neat to see that — we take it for granted — but to see someone who comes from somewhere very hot with no snow, it’s neat to watch,” said Bowen.
Hiawatha Highlands has loaned the snowshoes to SSMPL for the lending program.
“With the current situation that is going on in the world it would be nice to let others who may not be able to afford to get out and do these kinds of things to have that opportunity,” said Bowen.
Despite the large amount of snow on the ground, Bowen said most of the trails at Hiawatha Highlands still need a little more work before they can open.
“They need a little bit more snow before we can actually set some tracks in the Crystal System and the Red Pine System,” she said.
For the cost of loaning out a few pairs of snowshoes, Bowen said Hiawatha Highlands might be able to attract some of the people who borrow the snowshoes to come out to its facility.
“That is always a bonus, it’s kind of like planting a seed,” said Bowen.