Schreiber Media Centre Reflects on its Relationship with the Library

Four years ago, the Schreiber Media Centre was born. It was first conceived by Donna Mikeluk, who was CEO of the Schreiber Public Library. As part of the library’s media literacy programme, she wanted to expand the idea and when she sat down with Kim Krause, a councillor at the time, the two realized that it made so much sense to try and establish a media centre in the library.

Almost accidentally Donna discovered that Cactus Media was administering a fund that would place journalists in areas considered news deserts. Rural and removed locations where there is little or no coverage of news events were the one target. The LJI programme seemed to fit the ideas of her vision and after being accepted into the programme the Schreiber  Media Centre was officially able to open its doors. The media centre had already been established as a non-profit organization and in conjunction with the library had drawn up an agreement of understanding allowing it to use the space in the basement of the library for a studio. After a rather rocky start with COVID shutting down all municipal buildings, the SMC set out to record and archive local history. 

Kim Krause sat down with Donna to present an update on what has been going on with the media center over the last few years. Although progress seems slow at times the media centre has become a very important resource for residents in the small community of Schreiber.

A separate news channel was created that features town council meetings from both Schreiber and the neighbouring community of Terrace Bay. When the library first attempted to include media in its mission statement, the technology had not been easy or affordable but years later things had changed. Today the Schreiber Media Centre reaches over 60% of the 450 households in the town.

The local events covered by the SMC have a reaching impact outside of the community and have highlighted the north shore area of Lake Superior, allowing viewers from everywhere to see what life is like in this small rural community. 

Pairing a media centre with a library can produce a very symbiotic relationship and help to enhance the quality of life in the area. Where previously there had been very little information available to people outside the community, Schreiber and surrounding communities can now have their voices heard. As Donna mentioned, without financial assistance, programmes that help to build culture and communities would not exist.