The Cretaceous garden has drastically changed from a lush forest to a barren field. Renovations have begun with the goal of revitalizing the garden.
    “One of things we’re looking to do is provide more accessibility in the garden,” said Lisa Making, Director of Exhibits and Communications. “We want to also provide more interpretation as to what plant life in Drumheller was like during the Cretaceous.”
    The garden is now closed off to the public and the plants and animals have been relocated.
    Students from Olds College assisted museum staff in removing plants. The plants will be relocated to Olds College, where they will be cared for until the garden is ready.
    Lear Construction is handling the renovations. The plan is to have a raised boardwalk through the garden. Visitors will now walk over the plants rather than through them.
    Throughout the renovations, newly appointed gardener Dawn Christian will be working closely with researchers to rebuild the story that the garden represents.
    Other projects the Royal Tyrrell Museum are working on include continuing the work done earlier this year at the Hoodoos near East Coulee.
    “We’ll be adding additional signage and addressing some health and safety concerns,” said Andrew Neuman, Executive Director.
    Construction in the garden will continue until next March. The plants will be returning in April. However, Neuman added it will take time for the plants to reestablish themselves.
    “It’s a chance for us to rebuild the space,” said Making. “It’s really exciting.”

    The Delia Library is joining public libraries across the province in “Snapshot Day 2011” in October to show how important public libraries and library systems are to the residents and communities of Alberta.
    On October 28 the Delia Library will compile statistics, customer comments, photographs and other data chronicling a typical library day. The results at the Delia Library will be added to those of public libraries across Alberta to show how libraries provide invaluable services.
    The concept for Snapshot Day originated with the New Jersey State Library Association, and has spread throughout the U.S. and Canada. The purpose of the day is to create a ‘snapshot’ of what happens in a library in a single day, to help libraries and library advocates demonstrate how the people who visit the library and the communities in which they live are impacted by the library.  
    Online visitors to the library can also participate; the library website will include a short 2-question survey, and you can even upload your own snapshot to our Flickr group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/albertasnapshotday2011/. You can also keep track of Snapshot Day events on Twitter with hashtag #SnapshotDay2011.