Get to know us!

We are a varied and dedicated group of volunteers who love our Airdrie Public Library and excited about our new home! You can find us around the library volunteering and in the community!

We want to introduce you to some of our great people...
Christie Mardell

Christie is our secretary and works as a librarian in an elementary school, which is the best job in the world. When she's not reading, you'll find Christie walking her dog, volunteering in the community, working out at the gym, learning something that's new and fun, or climbing something steep.

What made you want to be an Advocate for APL?

As a librarian and library patron, I understand the importance of advocating for public libraries and the never-ending need for fundraising. While searching for volunteer opportunities, I thought being an Advocate for Airdrie Public Library would be a thoughtful and meaningful way to support the community. Plus, it's fun to visit with the other members and support local and topical initiatives together.

What is your favourite quote?

My favourite quote is an excerpt from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. "Everything nourishes what is strong already." as said by Elizabeth Bennet to Mr. Darcey when discussing if poetry is the food of love or if it would add too much pressure for new and budding love. I like this quote because it reminds me that whatever I'm focusing on will be nourished and grow, whether that's good or bad stuff. Sometimes it helps me change my thinking to be more positive.

When asked if she had a favourite book or author, our secretary had this to say...

I could never choose just one book or one author! I love far too many, and read many different genres. I definitely have favourites that I reread on a regular basis. Some of those include Alive by Piers Paul Read, Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, and of course, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Louise Fentiman

When I was 55, I was working in a library at an elementary school in Calgary. I had a lovely group of students in my library club and wanted to do something for them. I'd seen book worms, but didn't know how to crochet! Fortunately, I did have a girlfriend teach me. My niece is a grade 3/4 teacher in Kelowna and thought that would be a good incentive for her to get her students reading, so for many years I sent her 50 book worms a year for her class.
Upon retirement, I moved to Cranbrook, B.C. where I joined the Friends of the Library and started making the bookworms as a fundraiser. In 2019, I moved to Airdrie and found a good fit with the Advocates of the Library.
One of the best things about the bookworms is that all the yarn used has been donated by Airdrie residents. It seems just when I am getting low, my friends somehow show up with much appreciated yarn!
As to how many I have made over the last few years? The bookworms have raised over $6000.00 since I joined the Advocates in 2019, plus another 5,000 I made in Cranbrook and for other people on request. I love making my happy little bookworms!!!

Juanesteban Cardenas Vilate - Study Abroad ID Photo.jpg.jpg

Juan Cardenas

We asked our Vice-president, Juanesteban Cardenas, if he could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would it be?

“My dinner guest: political scientist, Hans Morgenthau. His study of international relations made him one of the most influential realists of the post-World War II period.”
Which makes sense as Juan wants a career in international diplomacy.
When asked about his discovery of reading?

“I can't remember when I first fell in love with reading but I think I love it because my parents always valued reading. I remember that at first I'd be interested in all the different drawings and colours of children’s books. But as I put the pictures with the stories, I gradually progressed to novels.
I feel like my passion for reading is not consistent…it's always fluctuating depending on the book I'm currently reading.”