LIBRARY NEWS, INFORMATION & SERVICES

November, 2023
 
Notable days in November
 
Hindu Heritage Month
 
National Non-Fiction Day (UK)                 Nov 4
Veterans' Week                                      Nov 5-11
Indigenous Veterans Day                        Nov 8
Remembrance Day                                 Nov 11
I Love to Write Day (US)                         Nov 15
National Child Day;                                 Nov 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance           Nov 20
Canada History Week                              Nov 20-26
Holodomor Memorial Day                       4th Saturday (25th)
Louisa May Alcott's birthday (1832)          Nov 29
Lucy Maud Montgomery's birthday (1874) Nov 30
Mark Twain's birthday (1835)                   Nov 30
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence  Nov 25 - Dec 10                
 
For November, the two birth flowers are Chrysanthemum and Peony. Having two birth flowers per month allows people to choose the flower that they feel a stronger connection with or prefer based on appearance, meaning, or symbolism.
 
Chrysanthemums are often associated with longevity and joy, representing a life filled with happiness and abundance. Some cultures even believe that chrysanthemums have healing properties and use them in traditional medicine. The different colors of chrysanthemums also convey specific emotions; red, for instance, symbolizes love and yellow represents friendship.
 
People often associate peonies with romance, love, and good fortune. In some cultures, these flowers represent compassion and even healing. In fact, the word “peony” comes from the Latin word paeony, which is derived from the Greek word pauon, meaning “to heal.”
 
 
Branch hours
 
All West Grey Library branches will be closed for the Christmas holidays, from Saturday, December 23rd to Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.  
 
Books, magazines, DVDs and so on may be returned through the drop box at any West Grey Library branch.  
 
Items like Mobile Hotspots and activity kits can NOT be returned through a drop box; please make sure they are returned by December 22nd.
 
Pre-holiday hours (Nov and Dec 1-22)    
   Durham                                      
   Tuesday      10am-7pm                            
   Wednesday 10am-7pm                         
   Thursday    10am-7pm                            
   Friday         10am-5pm
   Saturdays    10am-2pm                           
    
   Neustadt
   Tuesday    10am-1pm 
   Thursday   2pm-7pm
   Saturday   10am-2pm
   
   Ayton
   Tuesday    2pm-7pm                
   Saturday  10am-1pm
 
 
Questions?  phone (519) 369-2107, or email info@westgreylibrary.com
 
Services, Collections and Resources
 Is your library card coming up for renewal?
 
Your card needs to be renewed annually. Good thing it's so easy!
 
An active card lets you borrow materials - books; magazines; interest and care kits, like fishing or snowshoeing; and tech like mobile WiFi units.  It's easier to use the public computers and you get access to online tech like Libby (e-books and audio books), Kanopy (films), and air printing.  And all without any cost to you.  It's the best deal in town!
 
Call 519.369.2107 to renew your card, or stop in at any branch and let a staff member do it for you - it takes less than a minute, and you can see what's new at the Library.
Sample our collection
If you're interested in stories about war:
 
War: How conflict shaped us by Margaret MacMillan
Miss Graham's Cold War cookbook: a novel by Celia Rees
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Tech & Digital
Tech Help Your Way
Questions about your device? Book a half-hour appointment with one of our understanding -  and understandable! - staff at Durham Branch (Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturdays) Contact us at : info@westgreylibrary.com or 519.369.2107.
 
WiFi to Go
Check out one of our Kajeet SmartSpot devices for mobile WiFi access.  A one-week loan with your library card - free!
                              
 
.
Print from your device at the Durham Branch!
Air printing is now available at the Library from your laptop, tablet, or phone.
When you visit the Durham Branch, sign into the free WiFi (no password required). Open your Internet browser and head to  westgreylibrary.com/resources. Scroll down to Air Printing and follow the instructions.
Printing is 25¢ a page for black and white, $1 for colour. Cash only, please.
 
We love Facebook followers!
Head to Facebook, follow us and like and share the post for your entry to win a pair of bluetooth wireless earbuds!
 
Free!
The West Grey Library offers free WiFi and public computer use at all branches.  Bring your device or use your library card to book your time on computer!  You can also scan and send messages without charge.
 
We have eliminated fines for overdue items. (Patrons will still be required to pay for lost or damaged books.) 
 
Remember - West Grey Public Library cards are free to get, free to renew, free to replace! It's a great deal!
 
Upcoming Meetings
Library Board
next meeting: December 13th
Durham Branch, 6pm
 
All meetings are in person.  Email questions to  board@westgreylibrary.com.  
Just for Fun...
In the branches...
 Staff Stuff     
This month's question:
 
Is there a book you'd recommend focused on war and/or remembrance?
 
Kim        Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay or The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
 
Kimm     Deafening by Frances Itani
 
Kathleen    The Monuments Men by Robert M Edsel, Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto or The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotton Holocaust of WW ll by Iris Chang
 
Kayla      Winnie's Great War by by Josh Greenhut and Lindsay Mattick
 
Hilary     Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
 
Jessica    I love Helen Humphreys' writing, and for an autumnal war story I recommend The Evening Chorus. Her books are short, lyrical, and leave an impression 
And check our Programs newsletters -
The November programs newsletter is available now. Email info@westgreylibrary.com to get on our newsletter list.
 
Upcoming programs (pre-registration required, unless noted as drop-in:  adultprograms@westgreylibrary.com or call 519.369.2107):  
 
Knitting Help drop-in - 1st Tuesday of the month  DUR  drop-in
 
Elder-in-residence - 1st Wednesday of each month, 10:30am-noon DUR  drop-in
 
Knitting Club - every Wednesday, 2:30pm  DUR  drop-in
 
Gardener-in-residence - 2nd Wednesday of each month,  10:30am-noon  DUR  drop-in
 
80th Anniversary of Sicily - Remembrance Day presentation - Thu, Nov 9th 2:30pm  DUR
 
Cardmaking with Bonnie - Thu, Oct 9th, 5pm - DUR; materials fee $10 (2 cards) /$15 (3 cards)
 
Daytime Book Club  - Thu, Nov 15th, 2:30pm - DUR

Author/publisher-in-residence  3rd Wednesday of each month, 10:30-12noon  DUR  drop-in
 
Chair Yoga Thu, Nov 16th, 2:30pm NEU  drop-in
 
Take 10 kits mid-Nov - all branches - theme: storms/wind
 
Art for Beginners: Waterfalls Sat, Nov 18th, 10:30am-12:30pm DUR
 
Historian-in-residence Wed, Nov 23rd, 10:30-12noon  DUR  drop-in
 
Jigsaw Contest (library fundraiser) Sat, Nov 25th, 11:30am-1:30pm  DUR  $10/pp
 
Carbon Conversation Wed, Nov 29th, 10:30am  DUR  drop-in
  
In-person crafts - felted snowman  Thu, Nov 30th, 2:30pm  DUR
this session is full; waitlist available
 
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