History of the WR Women's Institute and the WR Library

The Women's Institute is a non-denominational, non- secretarian organization.  The main purpose is Educating the homemaker in the areas of Agriculture, Canadian Industries, Citizenship,  Education, Health, Home Economics, Handicrafts, Social Services, Environmental and United Nations.

Charter Members were:

President:  Maxine Franchuk

Vice-President:  Lena Meyer

Secretary:  Gail Mitchell

Treasurer:  Gerda Rebkowich

Directors:  Betty Glanfield, Aletha Shapka ,Polly Roskewich, Helen Coonan, Mildred Sundlie, Olga Fedorchuk, Sadie Oshanyk,  Lillian Watamaniuk, Vernie Mosich and Iris Watamaniuk.

The Wandering River Women's Institute Library was opened 1965.  It was housed in several different schools until the completion of the Wandering River Agriplex in 1976. 

In 1992 the Library was moved once again to the Wandering River School, it's current location.

Athabasca County became a partner in 1995 and we joined the Northern Lights Library System in 1999.

The current Library Manager is Jennifer Batiuk.

Previous Librarians were Linda Macciocha and Faye Zayonc.

Sources: Wandering River History Book, 1983 and interviews of WI members past and present.