As I look out the window of the library at the lovely flakes drifting down, I’m thinking of how nice it would be to take a walk in the woods.
And this makes me remember to remind readers that the library loans snowshoes to help people enjoy the great outdoors.
For those who greet the great outdoors with a resounding “meh”, we have literally tens of thousands of other items to borrow: DVDs, musical instruments, sensory kits, ozobots, telescopes, oh yes, books! Lots of books!
Feeling generally “meh”? We also lend therapy lamps to help peple cope with the winter blues. Check out the catalogue at catalogue.library.pe.ca to see what’s available or call 902-368-4642 and a library staff member will be happy to help.
Snowed in or just cozy on the couch? The e-book and e-audiobook service is always available for 24-7 access from home. Check out what’s on offer at peipls.overdrive.com. Overdrive is also available on a tablet or phone with the free Libby app.
Even though the library is available from home, staffers are happy to say the building is once again open to the public and happy to welcome back book browsers and folks who want to use bookable work spaces.
Want something to keep hands busy while listening to the audiobook downloaded from the library? I like to clean my house while I listen, so feel free to come do my dishes. Or, try one of these titles: Knit step by step: techniques, stitches and patterns made easy or Feminist cross-stitch: 40 bold & fierce patterns. Another option is to pick up a Craft to Go kit from a local library and make a Kusudama origami flower ball while you listen (all materials provided in the kit).
Family Literacy Day is Wednesday and that is a celebration that is right up our alley. We’re holding a virtual Early Literacy Bingo. Bingo cards will be available online and at the library starting on Saturday and will feature fun early literacy activities. Families will have until Jan. 30 to send in a photo of any rows they complete. These will be entered into a prize draw – literacy fun plus a prize draw equals win-win! The Crafts to Go kit during this time will be Play-Doh art kits inspired by Canadian illustrator Barbara Reid.
February is Black History Month, and through a grant from TD bank, the public library has lots of programs and Crafts to Go kits for all ages in the works. On Feb. 16, at 6:30 p.m., a Zoom event will be hosted – Introduction to Black History on P.E.I. with author Jim Hornby (email [email protected] to register). Crafts to Go kits include Carnival Masks for pre-schoolers, a Mancala game for older kids, paper beads for teens and bean mosaics for adults.
More programs will be announced throughout the month, so follow us on Facebook (PEI Public Library Service), Instagram and Twitter for updates on these programs and other library services fun stuff.
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.
