As 2017 draws to a close the library is making plans for the upcoming year. As part of this exercise we review the current year’s programming successes. It was a crammed calendar and we thank all of our patrons who passed on ideas and suggestions for programmes.

I also would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time and talent to make our programmes happen. Part of the planning exercise is scheduling space. In the Picton branch it is increasingly difficult to make space and time for all that we have going on. The following is an overview of just some of the events held in the Picton branch.

One of our board members Ursula Cattelan instructed a beginner and intermediate bridge course. Francine Blais has conducted a beginner conversational French class for two years. This group of 10 are now far from beginners. The Friday afternoon Rock Jam sessions are led by Mario Panacci. The Picton branch really celebrates T.G.I.F. with Mario and his crew on site. I cannot leave out Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. That organization has given many instructional and interesting talks much to the delight of our youthful audiences.

Often we are lucky enough to have speakers who donate their time and travel to Prince Edward County just to share their knowledge and experience. This year we welcomed Ruth Abernethy whose sculptures are renowned across Canada. We also enjoyed an evening with Harry Leslie Smith, the ninety-three year old author of several books and the social media sensation who warns that we must not let history’s mistakes be repeated.

New authors visited the community. This year patrons were introduced to the work of Keith Weaver writer of The Recipe Cops, Balsam Sirens, and An Uncompromising Place and Sally Barnes the charming and funny author of Unleashed. As well we enjoyed Carolyn Bond author of Parent With Confidence and Jason Chabot, author of the Broken Sky Chronicles, a series for teen readers.

The ongoing popularity of our tech and social media workshops ensures that there will be a new slate planned for 2018. Staff Julie Lane-Yntema, Michele Gardner, and Aaron Nash are hard at work already planning and updating material for the upcoming year. This year Julie and company held 106 workshops of those 19 were new topics and there were a total of 660 participants.

Many groups use the library. To name a few there are Quantum, the Master Gardeners, the Field Naturalists, the Chess Club, the Newcomers Club, Women Around Noon, and the Quinte Skiff Club. The library is happy to host any and all groups looking for a venue and looks forward to the day when we have more space to offer and more comfortable furnishings to encourage you to stay longer.

Individuals wishing to start a group activity at the library are welcome to book space. Numerous book clubs meet monthly at the Picton branch as well as groups playing scrabble, euchre, and who knit together. There has been interest expressed in a cribbage group. If you have always wanted to learn how and would like to meet new people let us know and we will book a time and space for a cribbage group.

You never know what might be happening at the library. If you work here it is hard to keep up. Many people seek us out just to read the daily papers, or periodicals or to put in time amidst the books and the congenial atmosphere.

It is important that the library meets the needs of the community and for this reason the board has embarked on an ambitious expansion program. Please consider making a contribution to the Picton branch building fund. You will receive a tax receipt for any amount over $20. Thank you for thinking of the library for your yearly giving this year.

– Barbara Sweet