In the December edition of the County of Prince Edward Public Library & Archives newsletter, available now at all branches of the library, you will find a survey about library programs. We are busy behind the scenes planning for spring 2018 and welcome any ideas you may have.
Some of our most successful programs of 2017 originated with suggestions from our community members. This is a great opportunity for you to suggest any speaker, author, or presenter you may be interested in hearing and we will consider any requests.
We may not be able to book every speaker requested due to financial limitations but we will take all suggestions into consideration. If you are part of a group who may be interested in co-sponsoring a speaker or author with the library, please connect with us. The library’s vision statement is: “The library serves as a gathering place for learning, creation, collaboration, personal development and inspiration” and one of the ways we work to achieve this vision is by regularly hosting interesting and engaging speakers and authors.
In 2017, chess, knitting, bridge, Mah Jong and Scrabble have been very popular at library branches across the County. Is there a game or skill you would like us to add to the schedule for 2018? Some of our ideas include a board game café, crafternoons, and cribbage lessons, but we would like to hear from you.
Our technology workshops this year taught a variety of tech topics including social media, basic computer skills and mobile photography. Are there other topics you would be interested in exploring in a class setting? Please let us know.
In 2017, we partnered with Community Care for Seniors and the Alzheimer’s Society of Hastings Prince Edward to screen the film You’re Looking At Me Like I Live Here and I Don’t, which is the first documentary filmed exclusively in an Alzheimer’s care unit. We could offer more documentary and film screenings if there is interest.
Other libraries are finding success with cookbook clubs, where each member borrows a cookbook from the library and prepares a recipe from that book to share at the next meeting. It’s an interesting way to explore the broad assortment of cookbooks available at the library. If that appeals to you, let us know and we can connect you with others who are interested.
The library participates in community events whenever possible. For example, we are looking forward to our annual participation in Ameliasburgh Christmas in the Village on Sunday Dec. 3 from 1- 4 p.m. Marion Casson will be sharing her family heirloom, hand embroidered First World War postcards along with her book Postcards from the Front. We will also have a green screen for photo ops and a craft for all ages. If you are part of a group planning a community event and would like the library to be involved, please let us know. We may be able to bring a pop-up library with books and other library materials related to your event, or a green screen photo op, or other library programming.
Often if one person is interested in something, others are as well and we are keen to respond to community demand. As with the book collection, we endeavour to be balanced with our program offerings and one way we do that is to respond to suggestions. If you have any comments about programs you attended in 2017 or would like to see the library offer in 2018, please share them with us. Pick up a copy of the newsletter and complete the survey, or contact me directly by e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (613) 399-2023.
– Liz Zylstra