By Ryan Pilon

Radiothon raising money to finish the La Ronge library

May 19, 2011 | 6:18 AM

Rawlco Radio is hosting an all-day radio marathon called “Build a Library Day” to help raise money for the La Ronge library.

For the last 15 years, the town’s library has been much too small, said Brandi Bell, with Rawlco Radio in La Ronge.

“Our library, if you can actually believe it, has been about 1,800 square feet. There are people’s houses that are bigger than that,” said Bell.

Now with the contribution of $1.2 million from the town of La Ronge, the library is expanding 5,500 square feet and will be state of the art, with audio books, computers and couches.

“We have an amazing kid’s section with our kids programming and craft center. A teen section designated strictly for teens to use the library,” said Bell.

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The all-day telethon will try to raise the money needed to equip the library with new books and computers.

“To help with making sure we have enough books, computers, desks, shelving, stuff for the kids section, stuff for the teens section, and just making the inside of the library as amazing as the outside,” said Bell.

Bell said that the library is not just a place to read books, but is an important and integral part of the town.

“It’s one of the hubs, besides our rink and our community [hall]. We have a ton of people who come. Northerners, Aboriginals, tourists, people who depend on a quiet space, who depend on information, studying, education,” Bell said.

“I think it’s very important for the social and moral fiber of the community,” said Thomas Sierzycki, La Ronge mayor.

“The fact that they offer opportunities to our young people, as well as opportunities for all demographics of our society, it’s key that we have a place that they can go, they have access to information, and access to higher learning.”

The telethon will run from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

To donate, call 425-9203.

rpilon@panow.com