At the County of Prince Edward Public Library, we were delighted to receive funding for our Bloomfield Branch Library project, “Library Beyond Walls,” through the My Main Street Community Activator program. My Main Street is supported by a $23.25-million investment by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario.
“Library Beyond Walls” will extend the library to the outdoor space at the Bloomfield Branch creating an outdoor patio area, enhancing the WIFI, adding lending laptops and providing a series of guest speakers. It will also create a cozy outdoor storytime area and add a community message board.
The speaker series starts this month, with a writing workshop led by Andrew Binks. You’ll learn to employ critical techniques while refining one or more drafts of a work-in- progress in a supportive and encouraging environment. Andrew shares his resources on navigating the world of submitting with a goal of getting published in literary journals and entering contests. Join him Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for six weeks – Spet. 23 to Oct. 28.
We also have a series of workshops led by Melanie Grey planned for Wed., Sept. 21, 28 th and Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.. The workshops include Porcupine Quill Earrings, Medicine Bags and Smudge Feather. In the Porcupine Quill Earrings workshop, Melanie will teach you how to make a pair of porcupine quill earrings while also offering education on the porcupine and how quills can be harvested. Each workshop will incorporate Haudenosaunee teachings about our relationship with the natural world. In the Medicine Bags Workshop, learn how to create a personal medicine bag, as well as teachings around the medicine bags and the four sacred medicines. During the Smudge Feather workshop, engage with traditional teachings around smudging, medicines and create a smudge feather.
Don’t miss our crime writers festival, Women Killing It. An online conversation – sponsored by Vanessa Pandos – will bring SC Lalli, Alice Walsh and Lisa Unger together for a conversation with moderator Lynn Pickering. This will be Sat., Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. Catherine Fogarty will join us on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. to discuss her book Murder on the Inside: The True Story of the Deadly Riot at Kingston Penitentiary with moderator Marian Moon. On Sat., Oct. 1 , join prolific Canadian crime writer Vicki Delany in conversation with legendary novelist Janet Kellough, both who call Prince Edward County home. All of these events will be held at the Bloomfield Branch and registration is required at peclibrary.org or (613) 476-5962.
-Liz Zylstra