CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The children’s library has great free weekly programs that are open to all.
Sunday features Lego Club at 2 p.m. Family Storytimes are held on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Enjoy songs, books, activities, musical instruments, felt boards and sometimes even a parachute. Toddler Time is Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. with more songs, games and excitement. Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. is everybody’s favourite time of the week—baby time.
Wiggle, giggle, read with babies and their caregivers gives everyone a chance to enjoy songs, tickles and rhymes. Looking ahead, on March 18 we’ll jazz up the day with a puppet show at 10:30 a.m. followed by the regular storytime.
Monthly programs in the children’s library include Craft Club on March 3, 6 p.m. feautring spool knitting and Bedtime Stories on March 17, 6 p.m. (bring a stuffy and hear some stories).
There are two upcoming PD days. On Feb. 28, 2 p.m., Brilliant Labs will give kids a chance to make DIY arcade games using microbits (register for this program at 902-368-4644). March 6 is Paper Bag Princess Day at 2:00 p.m., kicked off with a puppet play inspired by this Canadian classic followed by paperbag activities.
February features both Black History Month and Psychology Month. On Feb. 23, 2 p.m., the Scott Parsons Trio and special guest Joce Reyome will be here with Songs of P.E.I. Black History, an afternoon of free music and refreshments. Clinical psychologist Jessica Strong will be presenting Aging and Memory: How to stay mentally sharp later in life on Feb. 27, 7 p.m.
March break means a break for students and teachers and a time of great adventure at the library. This year the theme is Book Character Breakout. Every day at 2 p.m. the children’s library will have a special event inspired by favourite book characters. March 16 will be the Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt, March 17 will be Dogman Afternoon and March 18 is the Princess in Black Party. The week concludes with Don’t Let the Pigeon Run the Library on March 19 and Hogwart’s Wizarding World on March 20.
For the teens during March break, on March 19 at 1 p.m. come to the library for Cupcake Wars. Fight for glory with frosting. All casualties will be eaten (survivors will be eaten as well).
March is Canadian Agricultural Literacy month, and the March 11 Storytime will feature Farmer Flory (of Island Hill Farm). No promises, but I have seen goats and bunnies in the library on the days that Flory comes to visit. For the more sedate grown-ups who may not appreciate goats, Seedy Saturday is March 7 at 1 p.m. Carina Phillips will host a seed saving workshop followed by a seed exchange. All are welcome, even if you don’t have seeds to share.
The regular monthly programs for adults include the 5 Minute Book Club (it actually lasts longer than 5 minutes) on Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. Bring a book and be ready to give a quick talk about it.
For the crafty folks, there is In Stitches — A Fibre Art Club. Bring a project to work on, March 4, 6:30 p.m. or come to Craft or Fail on March 18, 6:30 p.m. To round out the month, the Senior’s Café will be March 19 at 2 p.m. Drop in for coffee, tea and chatting.
Beth Clinton is the regional librarian with the P.E.I. Provincial Library Service. Her column appears in The Guardian once a month. Anyone who would like more information on programs should call the library at 902-368-4642.
