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Resumption of Library Services
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As you know, March 1st marks the day most of the Covid-19 related restrictions in Alberta will be lifted. We are cautiously optimistic about this and we will slowly be shifting back to regular library services such as in-house programming, increased seating capacity and more public computer stations! For now, we are happy to announce that starting next week on March 7th, we will be open all weekday evenings until 8pm. We will remain closed on Sundays for now, but we hope to add them back in soon. As always, we will keep you updated as soon as we have more info to share. With mandatory masking over, you will no longer be required to wear a mask while visiting the Library. That being said, we remain a mask friendly environment and encourage everyone to follow their own comfort level. We will continue to offer curbside services by request to those who are not comfortable visiting us in person. Phone us at 403-678-2468 to schedule your curbside pickup appointment. After two long years, we are thrilled to finally be planning the resumption of regular library operations. As the Library gets busier and busier, we are reminded just how much our patrons truly make the Library the community hub that it is. Thank you for your continued support and patience during the pandemic, and hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here! |
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Every year in March, the French language, its heritage and La Francophonie are celebrated around the world. Did you know that in Canada, where French is one of the two official languages, 10.4 million French speakers were identified based on the 2016 Census of Canada? The Canmore Public Library will be celebrating our French language with multiple displays throughout the library this month. Starting mid-March, you’ll see some of our students favorite French books as well as photos of traditional French foods and cultural events. We have also been working to improve and increase our French collections for children and adults. Have you seen our displays of NEW children’s French board books, picture books, and beginner readers? We also have new French Juvenile fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels! Adults can find new French novels on our New and Notable shelves. We are continuously updating our collection, and would love your help in recommending French titles you want to see on our shelves! Have you ever wanted to start your own French Club de Lecture? In TRAC, we have 20 different book kits to choose from - you can find the individual titles on display in the Library this month! Stay tuned for our Family Fun Kit later in the month…it may just be something to satisfy your sweet tooth!  Chaque année au mois de mars, la langue française, son patrimoine et la Francophonie sont célébrés dans le monde entier. Saviez-vous qu'au Canada, où le français est l'une des deux langues officielles, 10,4 millions de francophones ont été identifiés sur la base du recensement du Canada de 2016? La bibliothèque publique de Canmore célébrera la langue française par de nombreux affichages dans la bibliothèque. À partir de la mi-mars, vous découvrirez, en affichage, les livres français préférés de certains de nos élèves ainsi que des photos de mets traditionnels français et d'événements culturels. Nous travaillons sans relâche à l'amélioration et à la croissance de notre collection de livres français pour les enfants et les adultes. Avez-vous vu nos étalages de NOUVEAUX livres français pour enfants? Nous avons des livres cartonnés, des livres d'images et des livres pour les jeunes lecteurs. Nous avons également de nouveaux romans français pour la jeunesse, des livres de non-fiction et des bandes dessinées! Les adultes peuvent aussi découvrir de nouveaux romans français sur nos étagères New and Notable. Nous mettons continuellement à jour notre collection et nous aimerions que vous nous aidiez à recommander les titres français que vous souhaitez voir sur nos étagères! Avez-vous déjà voulu créer votre propre club de lecture français? Au TRAC, nous avons un choix d'au-delà de 20+ trousses de lecture - vous trouverez les différents titres en exposition à la bibliothèque ce mois-ci! Restez à l'écoute pour notre Family Fun Kit un peu plus tard ce mois-ci... il pourrait bien y avoir quelque chose pour apaiser votre goût pour les sucreries! |
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Did you know that the Canmore Public Library has a Library of Things?! Local patrons with a Canmore Public Library card are able to borrow from our Library of Things. You can try out puzzles, toys, games, kits, and beyond! See our website for the complete list! These items are available exclusively for our local residents, so you cannot put a hold on them from home. Contact us or visit the library to check the availability of individual items. |
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Are you looking to purchase gently used books at great prices?The Canmore Public Library has a selection of books for sale available year round! Located near our photocopier, there is a bookshelf filled with books available for purchase. With books for all ages, and a newly added small selection of French books for sale, there is something for everyone! We update this shelf regulary so be sure to check back ofter. Prices range from $0.25 - $2.00. Cash or cheque only. |
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Did you know that the Canmore Public Library has it's very own mending department? Chances are, you've read a book that we've mended and didn't even notice - that's how good we are! We can repair broken spines and torn pages, reinforce bindings, remove minor stains and even replace entire pages if needed! The only thing we can't do is fix water damage - water and books simply do not mix. In 2021 alone we repaired 1346 books - that's approximatly $25,000 worth of books that the CPL mending department saved! If you do accidentally damage a book by tearing a page or breaking it's spine - don't panic! Simply return the book to us as is, and please do not try to help us by taping it back together. Taping a book together actually makes our job more difficult. We have the special tools, skills and supplies needed to make most repairs almost invisible. If you do check out a book and notice repairs done, you can smile knowing a once sad book is happy again! |
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Mark your calendars! The Friends of the Canmore Library are working hard getting the next book sale organized. It will take place April 21st - 23rd. Book donations are welcome at the library anytime. Proceeds from the Friends bottle bins at the recycling center have been a significant portion of funds raised these last two years. Thanks to all who use them – keep up the good work! |
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Become a member of the Friends of the Library, We are convinced it is the best deal in town! - $5 for an individual membership annually
- $10 for a family membership annually
The benefits of becoming a member of the Friends of the Library include: - Early admission to book sales.
- Reduced price for special programs offered by the Friends.
- Knowing that you are supporting our amazing Library. Prior to COVID, the Friends of the Library had been donating more than $15,000 annually to enhance the Library’s programs and resources.
- The opportunity to attend the Annual General Meeting in October and to vote on business pertaining to the Friends of the Canmore Library Society.
Some ways for you to become a member: - Simply fill in the online membership form. Make an E-transfer for the amount of the membership to friends@canmorelibrary.ab.ca.
- Make a print copy of the form, fill it out, put it in an envelope with cash or cheque and bring it to the Library.
- Have one of the Library staff do the processing of your membership next time that you are in the Library.
Your membership is valid until August 31, 2022. |
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Board Member Name: Donna Balmain How long have you been a board member?Almost a full year now. What is your position on the Board of Directors?
I am Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee and serve on the Audit and Finance Committee, plus I am the back up Marigold Liaison.
What made you decide to join the Board? I believe in contributing to community, frankly I find it personally rewarding. I have experience with committee work, I enjoy reading and libraries, it seemed like a good fit. Why are libraries important to you?
Well, I love that you can read as many books as you want; all for free. There is just no better deal around. I also love that libraries’ have progressed to social, educational hubs and offer so many programs and services now. I am a bit slow on technological uptake but I have been getting to know Libby quite well of late.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? That every person on the planet would be literate and have access to books. Being able to read is the gateway to education, ideas and progress. Conversely being illiterate, leaves you trapped in a world in which you cannot fully function. Donna's Board Pick Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. This is a nonfiction book but reads better than most fictional stories. With the aim of traversing Antarctica, the explorers were within one day of reaching their landing area when their ship ‘Endurance’ becomes trapped in the ice. So begins an incredible, true adventure. I could not put it down. I read it years ago and yet it stays with me. Written in 1959 it still is in print and remains easily available. Yes, the library has it. |
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 Did you know that there are over 100 authors who call Canmore their home? We are so excited to shine the spotlight on local authors for our newsletter subscribers! We are thrilled to present Lorraine Widmer-Carson as our March Local Author Spotlight. In the summer of 1976, Lorraine landed her first Banff job as a chamber maid, then as a waitress. She even found a place to live and that felt very lucky. Between 1980 and 2017, she worked for Parks Canada, The Whyte Museum, The Friends of Banff National Park, The Banff Centre, and most recently, as Executive Director at the Banff Canmore Community Foundation. She and her Swiss-Canadian husband, four children and ever-expanding family and friends have been hiking, skiing, exploring and adoring the Canadian Rockies while also running Ticino Swiss Italian Restaurant, since 1979. Her website lists her personal goal as: "To cultivate kind, optimistic and positive habits of mind that are grounded in gratitude." Read our interview with Lorraine below! What led you to writing? I started writing because I was curious to find out what I was really thinking. I have kept a morning journal since 1993, and it has helped me stay grounded when my feet were floppy. As a young mother, I knew that spending time alone with pen and paper would allow me to process my emotions, and become a more self-aware and empathetic parent, wife, friend, and colleague. I decided to write a book about gratitude because I am amazed and delighted in its power as an agent of change, but in the process, I realized that my practice of writing in a journal is the essential gift; it’s the secret sauce of my life. Now, I want to encourage others to take time to develop this skill, and use it to pay attention, add gratitude and find potentially latent, but powerful strengths. Writing takes discipline and requires focused training. In the 25 years I’ve been writing in my journal, I have learned how to identify my immediate priorities, allow some things to settle or fade and keep pushing myself forward, with a clarity of purpose. What advice would you give to any committed writer? I would advise every writer to keep writing, keep showing up, keep reading and listening, watching, talking, waiting and writing your way forward. A commitment to journal-writing becomes both a conduit and a reservoir, reminding us of our priorities, especially when days feel dark. My advice? Embrace whatever comes out of your pen; welcome both the sunshine and the shadows with open arms and curiosity; gently hold space for your personal contradictions, paradoxical thoughts and the utter nonsense that can appear. Be gentle with yourself, because in these trying times, we all need a little more tenderness. Writing is simultaneously enlightening, energizing, reassuring, challenging and humbling. It is a chance to become more aware and more accepting of yourself—and others. So keep going, showing up, being patient and paying attention. Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice or more as a job? For me, writing is both spiritual and practical. At times when our lives feel chaotic, writing in a journal is a spiritual safe haven. My book, An Ecology of Gratitude, encourages readers to write from their inner sanctum of privacy with wild abandon. I have been giving myself permission to write about whatever comes to mind for over twenty-five years. My journals are full of blather and nonsense and words that often make no sense. I seldom re-read my journals. Sometimes, in the moment, my introspective practice surprises and challenges me to ask myself, “Is that what I really mean?” And then I keep writing, with “Yes,” or “No! What I really want to say is…” Writing in the company of “my inside voices,” without fear of the inner critic, those voices that nag or tell me what to think or how to behave, I gain perspective about what is really going on. Then, after I have given my pen free reign to flow, it is time to put the muses to bed and get down to work. The practical side and the “job” of writing, assuming you want to write something to share with others, is to decide and distill the essence of your personal beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. After the fun and fancy-free writing is over, there comes a time to invite the critic into the room as we sculpt and challenge the words, asking: “Is this what I really mean to say?" Writing freely, from the wonderful wellspring of spiritual dimensions helps me get my bearings as I recalibrate my moral compass and decide what really matters. I subsequently use this inner work for plotting my journey, looking for the larger relevance, bigger messages, kinder pathways for living and communicating in my daily life. What is your favorite time to write, and why? Mornings. Full stop. With very few exceptions, I start every day by writing in my journal—a practice I began more than 25 years ago. There’s something about physically putting pen to paper in the predawn hours that helps me transition from sleep to awake. As I gather my thoughts, I can get my priorities straight while savouring my first cup of coffee. I have over 150 journals on my shelves, and they are in no way meant to be factual or coherent or read by others. My early morning practice keeps me in a semi-dream state; it is a kind of mental flossing that helps me sift through whatever is going on as I get my bearings for the day. By writing each morning, I can hit reset, get grounded, let go of yesterday and prepare for whatever the universe delivers to my doorstep. |
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Books N' Banter Book Club
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Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 22nd from 4:00 – 5:00 pm via Zoom. Discuss the book face-to-face or for all the book loving introverts sign into Zoom and use the chat feature! March's book is Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia. Hard copies are available for pick up at the library for those who register. |
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Rêvez-vous d'aller en voyage? Vous n'avez plus à chercher! Le club de lecture est excité de lire 'Le Grand Marin' de Catherine Poulain. Notre prochaine rencontre est mardi, le 29 mars à 19h00 sur Zoom. "Quand Lili Colt arrive à Kodiak, un port de l'Alaska, elle sait qu'elle va enfin réaliser son rêve : s'embarquer sur un de ces bateaux qui partent pêcher au loin. Pour la jeune femme, une runaway qui a fui jadis le confort d'une famille française pour "faire la route", la véritable aventure commence." |
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Our March activity kit will be something sweet for the whole family to enjoy! Be sure to follow us on our social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) to be the first to know when they become available later this month! |
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Our Winter Storytime Session will wrap up on March 11th. Stayed tuned for an update on our Spring session coming soon. We are really, really, REALLY hoping that with our Spring Session will come the return of IN PERSON STORYTIMES!!! Beyond the Book Storytimes For our Winter session, we will be offering two Beyond the Book Storytimes. Join us on Zoom for a live, hour long storytime that will take you beyond the book! January 11th- March 8th
12:30pm - 1:30pm Ages 3 and under A mix of board books, bounces, nursery rhymes, and music, this storytime is perfect for bouncing babies and wiggly tots. This program is designed to assist in the acquisition of language and to promote parent/child bonding. Fridays January 14th - March 11th
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Ages 3 and up. A mix of picture books, silly rhymes, activities and music, this storytime is perfect for older toddlers and preschoolers who are ready for longer stories, interactive games and even some crafts. Stories On Demand Check out our Youtube channel for lots of online storytimes and story express videos while you wait for live storytimes to return! |
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Did you know that the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce has a business book club? They currently have 2 scheduled dates remaining for 2022. Find the meeting dates, book titles, and information on how to join below. Business Book Clubs are seasonal (Winter, Spring, and Fall with a break for Summer) and are from 5:30 - 7:00PM.  |
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Online Memberships & Renewals
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Did you know you can now sign up for a FREE library membership or renew your current membership online? Head over to our website to register (or renew) today!  |
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Follow us on social media to stay up to date on our programs and other Library offerings, fun tips and tricks, staff picks and great posts like these: |
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Stay safe, stay healthy and feel free to call us at the Library if you need any help and aren't comfortable visiting us in person. Starting Monday March 7th the Library will be open from 10am-8pm Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 10am -5pm to help you access all the resources we offer! |
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Covid-19 Links and Resources
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The Town of Canmore has an excellent information site for all your Covid-19 questions.
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