For the last several years newcomers to Prince Edward County have been able to join a Newcomers Club held at the Picton branch of the County of Prince Edward Public Library.

The benefits are many. Make new friends, find out about your new community and explore topics that interest you. The format varies slightly with each new group, but every September an initial meeting is called and recent transplants to the County are led by a Newcomer from the previous year. They introduce themselves and share information that they have managed to acquire – like where to get a car serviced or who to call for electrical work. The library facilitates guest speakers for subsequent weeks. In the past, groups have heard from service clubs, charitable organizations, municipal staff, local business owners, and speakers on local history. Out of the group friendships have been formed, book clubs and dinner clubs organized and volunteer positions filled. It has been amazing to watch the successive groups and see how quickly and easily this all happens. The organizing meeting this year is on Thurs., Sept. 26th at 10 a.m. at the Picton branch.

If you are new to the County you may be surprised by all of the programming that the library has to offer. If you are a long-time resident you will have been waiting for a list of our upcoming fall events. You can access our full calendar on our website at peclibrary.org or stop in to one of our branches to pick up our September newsletter. Here are some highlights from our fall line-up:

There’s a Book For That– Sept., 4th, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. A parenting book club that will work with parents to find appropriate reading materials to help children work through life’s issues. The first meeting will welcome literacy expert Heather Lemon to talk to parents about starting their child on a path to literacy.

Doug Gibson Literary One Man Show Sept. 17th at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds are in support of the Picton branch expansion. Doug is an editor and publisher turned author and performer. His talk will enthrall you with the stories behind place names in Canada and the personages, often not too savory, who bore them. If you enjoy Canadian history you’ll want to take this in.

Outside the Picton branch join us for a unique pairing Sept. 19th at 4:00 p.m. Author John Gardiner and the band Reggie will pair words and music. John will read from his new book Memories For Sale: Tales From a Small Town and Reggie (Mario and Ruth of the library song and drumming circles) will provide the music.

Commencing Sept. 25th, 10:30 to 12:00 p.m. at the Picton branch our Tech Workshops start up again. The first one is dealing with Smart Home Devices. Learn how to make the most of the technology you have, but only half understand.

This is just a smattering of the programs that will be coming your way next month. If you have questions, suggestions or requests email me at [email protected]. We are always looking for new ideas and welcome those in the community who offer their talents and expertise to the library in the form of a talk or workshop.

Barbara Sweet