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October is Library Card Sign-up Month!
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This month Mr. Joe Cool (a.k.a Snoopy) asks you, what's cooler than being cool? Having a library card!!!! October is Library Card Sign-up Month! Celebrate this month by signing up for a Strathmore Municipal Library membership! Stop on into the library to sign up from October 1 -31 and get one of our fun book bags at 50% off! Already have a library membership? Did you know that the library sells membership gift certificates? Purchase a library membership for a friend to get a library book bag half off! Plus when you friend comes in to redeem their membership this month they will also have the opportunity to purchase a book bag at half off!!! Book bags will be available while supplies last.
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Little Free Library are here!
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In 2015 the library applied for a grant from the United Way of Calgary and Area. This grant was to install Little Free Libraries throughout the Town of Strathmore. The library was successful in its application and now we are ready to begin installing these unique libaries throughout the town. The library has purchased 4 libraries (like Bird Song to the left) to get started. Each library has a unique design and its own personality. The boxes will be filled with great books for all interests and ages that can be discovered and borrowed by anyone, and anyone with a book to share can add it to the collection. All of Strathmore wins with this initiative: the library gets more books into the hands of more people, the community gains gathering places for discovery and increased literacy, and our Town features pieces of functional art accessible to everyone. If you are interested in buiding or hosting a library please contact Alexis or Carmen at the library.
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Director's Corner - Alexis McKenzie
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This past month has been very busy, but I always manage to make time for reading. I read, “Where’d you go, Bernadette?” by Maria Semple, and discussed it at my book club. This novel is about a young girl who is searching for her mother, Bernadette, who has suddenly disappeared. There are a lot of themes to unpack: relationships between mothers and daughters, the loss of self that can come with career or family demands, and the differences between our perception and reality. It made for some great discussion. Written in an epistolary or letter-writing format, the author’s creativity really shone through. I’d recommend it if you want an easy read in an unusual format. I’m nearly finished “A Darker Shade of Magic”, the first in a series by V.E. Schwab. This book was suggested to me by a few of my favourite readers and I knew I had to check it out. Harry Potter fans and those that have read Patrick Rothfuss’s “Name of the Wind” series will enjoy this world with a new take on magic. I’m really enjoying it so far. It feels almost like Young Adult Fiction due to the fast pace and build-up of suspense, but it definitely has some very adult moments so I’d be aware of that if you’re recommending it to younger readers. Last but not least, I am excitedly awaiting the release of “The Curated Closet: A Simple System for Discovering Your Personal Style and Building Your Dream Wardrobe” by Anuschka Rees. I’ve enjoyed following her blog, www.into-mind.com, and her long-anticipated book is sure to be up my alley. If you were a fan of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo, you’ll enjoy taking your organizational and joy-sparking goals to the next level with “The Curated Closet”. Ms. Rees, when not writing about personal style, is finishing a doctorate in social psychology. Her methodical and detailed approach to fashion really shines through her writing and sets her apart from other writers in the genre. Get on the hold list now – her book comes out in November. Near the end of September I met with the Library Board to discuss the Library’s operating budget. Some highlights are as follows: We have plans to create new book bags for the new year – a cute and fun one for kids, and a tote bag for adults. In addition, we have decided to charge $20 per exam that we invigilate here at the library, starting January 2017. Previously we offered this as a free service, but due to the demands on staff time and room booking we have decided to levy a small fee in order to partially recoup our costs. The good news is, we’re still charging significantly less than other institutions in a desire to keep this service accessible to all. Our Friday Fun Film showing of “The Jungle Book” was packed – we had just over 100 attendees show up for our movie viewing party. In addition, our Halloween Costume Exchange was a big success, in part due to the generousity of the Strathmore Skating Club who donated 15 bags of costumes! We’ll have more fun events in October, so stay tuned for details about our upcoming Spooktacular on October 28th. Speaking of fun events, if you’re planning on going to the Two and Three Year Olds Fair, make sure to say hello to me! I’ll be there on October 15th, launching 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, a program that will encourage your little ones to get comfortable reading even before they start school. I hope to see you there!
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Halloween Spooktacular - Oct. 28 (1-3pm) Carve out some booooootiful memories at the library's Halloween Spooktacular! Halloween games, crafts, and challenges await little ghosts and goblins of all ages. Wear your Halloween costumes to enter the Library Halloween Costume Contest starting at 2pm. You just may go batty at this free program! Be sure to drop in for a spell!
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Friday Fun Film - October 7
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Province removes barriers to library access for indigenous families.
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On September 30 the Alberta government announced an initiative that has been years in the making. People living on First Nations and Metis Settlements in Alberta will no longer have to pay non-resident fees in order to access public library services. New Release from September 30, 2016. The Alberta government is providing more than $670,000 to six regional library systems and three of the large urban libraries to cover non-resident fees for individuals living in Indigenous communities. Previously, people living on-reserve or on-settlement had to acquire a non-resident library membership in order to take advantage of the programs and services offered by libraries in neighbouring communities. "Libraries are so much more than their books, they are integral community spaces. It is essential that all Albertans have equitable access to the programs and services these community hubs can offer. Our government is proud to provide this funding that eliminates a financial barrier and makes it easier for everyone to use and enjoy Alberta's public libraries." Danielle Larivee, Minister of Municipal Affairs Following the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Alberta government has committed to working with Indigenous leaders and communities to implement the principles and objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “All people in Alberta, no matter where they live, should have equitable access to public libraries. Removing non-resident library fees is a small but important step towards ensuring Indigenous communities have the same resources and opportunities as all Albertans.” Richard Feehan, Minister of Indigenous Relations The funding is being delivered through Budget 2016, which in total provides $36.6 million in support of public library service across the province.
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The Memory Project - Veteran's Visit
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Join us Saturday, November 5 from 10:30am-12:00pm as we welcome Sergeant Jacqueline Buckley (retired). Jacqueline, author of Eye of the Storm: Personal Commitment to Managing Symptoms of PTSD, will be joining us to talk about The Memory Project. The Memory Project is a nationwide bilingual project that connects Veterans and Canadian forces personnel with the opportunity to share their stories with Canadians in classrooms and community forums. This is an initiative of Historica Canada and is made possible with generous funding from Canadian Heritage and Veterans Affairs Canada.
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Friday Fun Film - October 28
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