“Libraries are all about sharing,” says Jennifer Kingma, interlibrary loan coordinator at the County of Prince Edward Public Library & Archives. “Through interlibrary loan, we share our books with readers at other libraries across the province and borrow for our patrons. A community pantry is just one more form of sharing.”

Jennifer is currently enrolled in the Advancing Public Library Leadership course through the Ontario Library Service. This is a two-year long course focussed on leading in public libraries including through ongoing innovation, collaboration, and change management. One of the requirements for this course is taking on a project that will have a positive impact on your library, and Jennifer has decided her project will be the launch of a new community pantry at the Picton Branch Library.

“It’s based on the model of give what you have and take what ever you need,” she explains. ‘People who have extra or unopened nonperishable food or personal care items can leave them, and we’ll make them freely available at the library.”

There’s a quiet hallway in the newly expanded Picton Branch Library equipped with a countertop and cabinets which will be used to store the food.

“We know there are people in the community who are in need, and this is one small way we can help. But the pantry will be for anyone! If you are at the Picton Branch Library and need a snack, you’ll be able to help yourself,” says Jennifer.

Barbara Sweet, the library CEO, said, “Many libraries across Ontario & beyond are beginning to offer community pantry spaces. As a place where everyone is welcome, the public library is a logical place to have this available, and I’m thrilled that Jennifer’s APLL project will have such a direct result for people in Prince Edward County.” Anyone who is interested in contributing to the pantry can drop donations off at any branch of the library with Jennifer’s name attached. She will check them over and review expiry dates and their condition before placing them in the pantry.

For more information, or if you’d like to get in touch with Jennifer about the community pantry, call the Picton Branch Library at (613) 476-5962 or email [email protected] UPCOMING EVENTS: Functional Fitness chair-based exercise is now offered in person AND online. Join in person at the Wellington Branch Library on Tuesdays at 11 a.m, in person in at the Picton Branch Library at 11 a.m., or join either class online from anywhere you have an internet connection. Register by visting peclibrary.org or call (613) 476-5962.

-Liz Zylstra