Fernie Heritage Library
Bringing words to life
The Fernie Heritage Library is a place
for discovery, inspiration and recreation.
Fun and friendly, warm and welcoming;
a sanctuary for all ages. Drop in to pick
up a book or movie, or stay a while and
enjoy the many programs and events
including children’s story time, reading
groups, a ukulele class, a special social
occasion or popular event such as the
Lemonade Social. Curl up in a huge
leather armchair by the sunny upstairs
windows to enjoy the view of the
Rockies and folklore of old Fernie.
BUILDING FERNIE’S LITERARY
HERITAGE
The Fernie Public Library started in
1899 as a simple public reading room
thanks to a movement by the prominent
ladies in town. It was a place where
people, locals and visitors, could spend
their evenings reading papers, magazines
and writing letters. Today, the beautiful
Romanesque Revival building that was
built in 1907 as Fernie’s Post Office,
is now home to a thriving and grand
community library. In all seasons it is a
cozy refuge. During the warmer months
enjoy the Library Garden with a book or
a family picnic.
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BOOKED! FERNIE’S
WRITERS’ SERIES
Continuing the legacy of the Fernie
Writers’ Conference, the BOOKED!
Fernie Writers’ Series is a venue for
creative discussion in a literary-themed
social setting, and a chance to meet
exciting authors rarely found outside of
bigger cities. The Fernie Writers’ Series
was founded by library director Emma
Dressler, local author and Athabasca
University Assistant Professor Angie
Abdou, and Fernie publisher Randal
MacNair.
The skill with which these three—along
with an incredible support crew—bring
together the series is no happy accident.
Macnair has been immersed in writing
since birth; he is the great-grandson
of founding manager of The Canadian
Press, JFB Livesay, and grandson of
Dorothy Livesay, two-time Governor-
General’s Award winner. Abdou is
a McEwan Book of the Year Award
winner and Canada Reads finalist, her
sixth book HOME ICE: Reflections of
a Reluctant Hockey Mom is due out
in 2018. Dressler was the 2012 BC
Library Director’s Award of Excellence
recipient.