The Davidson branch of the Palliser Regional Library received a substantial donation this past week after being informed the late Elmer Laird had bequeathed $50,000 to the library for capital expenditures.

September Brooke, Davidson librarian, said the library is very appreciative of the thought given by Laird and his wife Gladys “for all they have contributed to the library in the past and continue to contribute” and in acknowledgment will create a new reading room in their memory.

“We’re actually going to name that room the Elmer and Gladys Reading Room in honour and recognition of their contribution to the library,” said Brooke in reference to the current large-print room. “We recently purchased some furniture and created a little reading corner, so we wanted to name that room specifically after them.”

Elmer and Gladys have long been contributors to the library’s success and survival with Gladys serving as a volunteer with the library for over 30 years starting back in 1964.

The couple were also instrumental in helping the library survive after a fire burned down the Town Hall in 1971, where the library was headquartered at the time, by arranging to borrow 1,500 books from the Saskatchewan Provincial Library and then travelling to Alberta and buying enough used books themselves to keep the Davidson library in existence.

“The only request in his will was that the money be used for capital improvements and also that we develop a special section in memory of his wife on the rights of working women,” said Brooke. “That was something that was very dear to her.”

To read more please see the Oct. 15 print edition of The Davidson Leader.