Quatrefoil Spring 2014 - Issue 29
A Few Highlights: Programming Workshop
page 4
Catalogue Upgrade
page 5
Microsoft Training for library staff
page 6
Banned Books recommended by you UWalk Pedometers
Parkland Regional Library
Spring Reading (not Cleaning!)
page 8
Page 10
Melissa, Teen Book Club leader Courtesy of Sundre Public Library
Inside This Issue 2
Director’s Desk
3
Looking Ahead
4
News & Notes
6
Tech Talk
9
Consultants Corner
12 Library News
Spring is here and we couldn’t be happier! After trudging through the snow, we can look forward to tulips, baby animals, and … let’s be honest, staying in to read on those muddy days.
Introductions to new staff members on page 4
The Top Ten titles of Alberta Reader’s Choice Award have been announced. Our former writer-in-residence Kimmy Beach is a contender! page 6
Staff and member libraries have shared their favourite banned books on page 7
History of Freedom to Read and what to do if one of your books is challenged on page 9
Are you thinking about revamping your library? Check out our space planning tips on page 10
Find out how Sundre organized their successful I Read Books media campaign on page 12
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Director’s Desk Highlights of projects and developments at Parkland and beyond DAISY reader tutorials.
New TAL Online Update As you are aware, TAL Online recently adopted new, improved software. In its first 100 days, the new TAL Online logged 81,332 searches. Surprisingly, the top referring domain was Parkland Regional Library, accounting for 28.6% of all the traffic referred to the new TAL Online.
Ron Sheppard, Director
Coordination and wrap-up of AMBC and the School Media Service by the end of June 2013.
Purchased and distributed 102 desktop and laptop computers for member libraries.
Secured a three year maintenance There are many possible explanations for this, agreement for the SuperNet Customer Edge Devices for all member libraries. but one of the most likely is how successfully PRL has integrated TAL Online into our users’ natural Implemented the ME - Alberta Wide search pathway. TAL Online exists as a clearly Borrowing service. PRL was the first regional system to join! identifiable tab within our catalogue, and is easy for patrons to expand their search if they do not PRL’s 2013 Statistics find what they are looking for within the PRL 2013 was a busy year for Parkland. Our Technical system. Services stats are especially impressive given that Oddly, one of the top three searches from the two cataloguers retired in 2013 and we only first three months was: Alberta Health Services. recently replaced one. Parkland’s Annual Report
Total interlibrary loans continue to increase and
While statistics tell part of the story, they do not tell it all. Parkland Regional Library will provide you and your boards with an Annual Report soon. In the meantime, a small sampling of Parkland’s accomplishments in 2013 is included below.
system-wide circulation has started to rebound
The Quatrefoil is a quarterly publication of: Parkland Regional Library 5404 56th Ave Lacombe, AB T4L 1G1 Phone: 403.782.3850 Fax: 403.782.4650 www.prl.ab.ca
Send submissions or comments to Meredith: communications @prl.ab.ca
after dropping by approximately 17% between 2011 and 2012. ILL’s
188,526 (2011) 192,105 (2012)
PRL Consultants have been doing more 197,376 (2013) work with municipal boards: advocacy Total Circulation 1,174,657 (2012) workshops, Plan of Service overviews, and 1,336,706 (2013) facilitating community assessment meetings. Number of Books Catalogued 48,613 Increased communication with our Member Library Satisfaction stakeholders: municipalities, library boards, and library staff. System Staff 100% Acquired the Zinio eMagazine service with Acquisitions & Cataloguing support 100% over 100 titles. Turnaround time for orders 94% PRL Consultants conducted a salary survey Training & Continuing Education 89% for public libraries, managed the TD Technical/Network Support 100% Summer Reading Club for the province, Consulting Support 100% and presented sessions at four different library conferences/workshops around the Member Council Satisfaction province. Satisfaction with system service 100% Created a number of instructional video materials for our online training YouTube Communication between PRL and municipality channel; subjects include The Journey of a 97% Book, as well as Horizon, shelving, and Satisfaction with system plan of service 97%
Looking Ahead
Mark your calendar Mar.
3-6
Canada Reads debates on CBC
11-15
Public Library Association (PLA) Conference in Indianapolis
17
Library Advisory Group meeting at Parkland (10 am-3 pm)
20
World Storytelling Day—2014 theme: Monsters and Dragons
Apr.
May
National Poetry Month 6-12
National Volunteer Week
7
Programming for Youth Workshop at Parkland (9am-3:30 pm)
Late Apr
Rocky Mountain Book Award announced
24-27
Alberta Library Conference (ALC) in Jasper
1
TaleBlazers (Young Alberta Book Society) booking open
1-31
Public votes for Alberta Readers’ Choice Award winner
12
PD Day at Parkland (9 am - 4 pm)
3-10
Canadian Children’s Book Week
15
PRL Board Meeting at Parkland (1 pm - 3 pm)
16
Deadline for submissions to summer Quatrefoil
Late May Commonwealth Writers’ Prize winners announced 22-25
Alberta Associate of Library Technicians (AALT) Conference Edmonton
28-31
Canadian Libraries Association (CLA) Conference—Victoria
An Invitation to Join APLAC The Alberta Public Library Administrators’ Council (APLAC) is open to any manager or any Alberta Public Library who wishes to join. What’s in it for you? Membership provides a forum to connect with other library managers facing similar challenges. There are two meetings a year that feature a guest speaker, and round table discussions. For more information visit www.aplac.ca.
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News & Notes
Welcome to New Staff at Parkland We are pleased to announce the addition of three new employees to the team at Parkland. Please see their bio's below to learn more about them. We're happy to have them on the team! Lindsay McFarlane is the newest Consultant Librarian at PRL. Lindsay worked at PRL during 2012 and 2013 while she was a student -- you may remember her from patron eReader/eBook workshops! She recently finished her master’s degree in library and information studies (MLIS) at UBC and is excited to be back as a full-time member of the Parkland team. Lindsay enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes, swimming, and watching hockey. She loves hearing about the programs happening in your libraries. If you have any ideas for new children’s or teen programming boxes send them her way! Jason Voll is the new Network Support Technician in our I.T. department. Jason is a very positive and easy going guy. He is originally from Lacombe, but now resides in Red Deer. Previously, Jason worked for AM/PM, where he fixed Bank Machines and other retail computer equipment. Jason has been working in the IT field for the past ten years and still enjoys what he does. Jason likes to read, as well as teach (and play) guitar in his spare time. He has written some songs for local events and TV pilots. His favorite authors are R. A. Salvatore and Terry Goodkind. He also practices Shao Lin Kung Fu. He enjoys caring for his two cats Smudgy and Sketchy, in addition to camping and being outdoors. Jason is very excited to have started working here at PRL and hopes to learn a lot and make some new friends. Dennis Sheppard is the new Cataloguer in Technical Services department. Dennis grew up in Saskatchewan, but has spent most of his life in Alberta. After completing his library diploma in 1996 from SAIT in Calgary, he worked for a computer mapping company. While working for that company, he spent a year living in Chicago back in 2000. Later, he moved to Fairview to work in the Fairview College Library. Dennis has also had a position caring for seniors and as a security guard in a hospital. He joins us from Peace Library System in Grande Prairie.
Programming Workshop in April Come and check out some Makerspace ideas at the April 7th programming workshop at Parkland! Grace Nation from Didsbury Municipal Library will share her experiences and some of the equipment regularly used at the library. Alberta Health Services staff will offer tips and ideas for developmentally appropriate skills to include in your library's programming for children.
Tech Talk
this her
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New PRL Online Catalogue
We are excited to announce Enterprise, our new online catalogue, is coming soon! This will be a more user-friendly interface for patrons and allow for more library customizations than our old catalogue. Some great new features are:
Better searching - allows for typos and provides "did you mean..." search suggestions.
A side-bar search list with various categories allows patrons to specifically focus their search.
Library customizations - each library can have up to 5 saved searches, such as links to Zinio or DVD search, on the catalogue's homepage. The homepage also features a Twitter widget, which can be either Parkland's or the library's own Twitter feed.
CoolIris mode for browsing search results in a much more visual way.
Ability to download eBooks right from the catalogue. This feature isn't currently available for EBSCO or Freading, although EBSCO integration is planned. OneClickdigital resources are available.
There are plans for Zinio eMagazine integration with our catalogue as well. Eventually, we will be able to turn our catalogue into a "one stop shop" for eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines!
OneClickdigital Launch Along with our new catalogue, we will be launching a new eBook/eAudiobook vendor - OneClickdigital! There are some great features about this new service that will enhance our catalogue:
eBooks and eAudiobooks will have download links right in our catalogue - so patrons won't have to learn to use another platform.
OneClickdigital has an excellent eAudiobook selection, including many titles published by Recorded Books that aren't available on other platforms (as Recorded Books owns OneClickdigital).
There are various apps available to download eAudiobooks directly for desktops and devices; for Windows, Macs, and both Android and Apple devices.
Parkland will be providing instructions on how to purchase OneClickdigital titles in the near future.
We will offer staff training workshops for Enterprise and OneClickDigital at locations around the region. Details coming soon!
News & Notes
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Microsoft e-Learning Courses Did you know that managers and paid library staff have access to Microsoft e-Learning courses through Parkland membership? The courses are free and cover a variety of Microsoft programs such as:
To access the courses, you will need the proper Windows Live ID and passwords. These instructions can be found in the Q Drive under the folder Microsoft Training.
Publisher
The deals aren’t just for the library– you can buy Microsoft Office for your home computer through Parkland for just $13!
Office Suite
For more information, contact Tim Spark.
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
There is also the Essentials Collection for 2010 that will give you a general overview of each program. Currently, computers on the Parkland network are running Microsoft 2010.
Alberta Readers’ Choice Awards The top ten titles have been released! On April 24th the Alberta Readers Choice Award jurors will choose the Top Five for the awards show in June. Public voting will be open throughout the month of May. Be sure to get your vote in!
D
News and Notes
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April is Poetry Month Spring is THE time for Poetry—March 21st is UNESCO’s World Poetry Day and April is National Poetry Month. These events are an excellent time to celebrate poetry, writing, small presses, and the contribution of poets and writers to the cultural life in our communities. They also celebrate libraries and work of municipalities, councilors, and volunteers for their promotion of reading and literacy. The theme of National Poetry Month is Poetry City. Calgary Spoken Word Festival April 1-6 - the 11th annual Calgary Spoken Word Festival. A gathering of languages, voices, stories, and song. For more information visit www.calgaryspokenwordfestival.com Edmonton Poetry Festival April 20-27, 2014 - Poetry is a source of energy, entertainment and joy shared by all societies. The Edmonton Poetry Festival celebrates poetry in all its forms, whether you fall for slam poetry or prefer reading the classics.
Website Update The timeline for the system-wide website redesign has changed! In late 2014, the newest and greatest version of the software used for our websites will be released - Drupal 8. After some discussion, our website team decided that it would be best to postpone our website migration so that we can go straight to this new version of the software. This pushes our project into 2015, but it means we should be able to stay with the new platform for a longer period before we need to look at doing another migration. In the meantime, over the course of 2014, we will look at ways to improve our current Drupal 6 websites, such as introducing a better search function. Please continue to pass on any ideas and suggestions you have for our websites. Thank you for your patience. We will share more information about our Drupal 8 migration as the project progresses.
Programming Boxes Looking for program inspiration? Need an idea for a craft, song, or action rhyme? Look no further than the Parkland programming boxes. Just in time for spring, try these fun boxes:
Out in the Garden 1 – Ages 3-5
Out in the Garden 2 – Ages 6-8
Spring Fun 1 & 2 – Ages 3-8
Caterpillars and Butterflies – Ages 3-5
Ladybugs – Ages 3-5
Easter Fun 1 & 2 – Ages 3-8
There are also boxes for World Storytelling Day on March 20th. This year’s theme is Monsters and Dragons. Consider Monsters 1 & 2 (Ages 3-8) or Dragons, Knights, and Princesses (Ages 3-8). Full details about Parkland’s programming boxes are available on our website, at http:// prl.ab.ca/boxes-kits.
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News & Notes
Freedom to Read Week The Diviners by the late Canadian writer Margaret Laurence (1926-1987). was banned in some Ontario high schools during the 1970s. Ironically, that seems to be a career milestone for many writers in this country (on one hand you're feted, awarded the Governor-General's award; on the other you have your books banned). It's a favourite book of mine for many reasons: the characters, the plot (everything fits together so well) and also it is the story of a woman who defies the odds and becomes a successful writer despite being told all her life that she was worthless. - Margo, Cataloguing
A couple of my favourites have always been The Giver by Lois Lowry and 1984 by George Orwell. I think they're important because they show the danger of what society can become if we give into fear of the different. They also showcase the resiliency of the individual. - Victoria, Cataloguing
My favourite book as a kid to read was Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. The line in the book that got it banned, is also the line that when I read it made me realize I wasn't alone. Other people in the world also had a similar thought as me. It is an excellent story too! - Laurie, Innisfail Public Library
Eleanor & Park’s author, Rainbow Rowell was uninvited to speak at Minnesota’s Anoka Hennepin school after the Parent’s Action League called the book “dangerously obscene” and “too hot for teens and taxpayer money.” The book was removed from the school library and the librarian who chose the book was disciplined. The book is about two teens who are trying to survive the ugliness around them: abuse, poverty, loneliness. They are unconventional lead characters, and they are simply lovely. This book left me sobbing and longing to have the main characters come back to my life.—Deb, Camrose Public Library
I just realized that one of my son’s favourite books, The Family Book by Todd Parr (2010) has been banned and taken off the shelves in many libraries and schools. As a LGBT family this book is very important to us. It teaches young children that families come in all forms and they are all equally as awesome. This book presents equality and acceptance in a child-friendly way that celebrates every family’s uniqueness! This is currently my little family’s favourite book.—Lauren Anne, Coronation Memorial Library
Consultant’s Corner
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Celebrate and Protect your Freedom to Read 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of Freedom to Read Week in Canada. Challenging and banning books (and information in general) has occurred frequently throughout literary history. In Canada, everything from popular juvenile series Harry Potter to Madonna’s coffee-table book Sex to newspaper advertisements featuring Biblical verses have been challenged, with varying degrees of success. While we don’t generally think of Canada as a country where widespread censorship occurs, particular books have been banned by Canada Customs throughout the country’s history. These bans were usually based on violations of community standards and perceived obscene content. One example is James Joyce’s Ulysses, which was banned from 1923 to 1949. In recent decades, most challenges to books have come at an organizational level, in schools or public libraries. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a rash of challenges to literature used in the curricula and held in the libraries of Canadian high schools; Canadian classics like Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners and Alice Munro’s Lives of Girls and Women were challenged, among others. In response, the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee was formed in 1978. Six years later, in 1984, the Freedom of Expression Committee instituted Freedom to Read Week, and it has been a lasting tradition ever since. Each year, Freedom to Read Week challenges censorship and promotes intellectual freedom for all Canadians. This year, from February 23rd to March 1st, libraries across the country will participate in Freedom to Read celebrations and events, which means by the time you read this, you may have already hosted an event or gotten involved in the festivities! For library staff, protecting library patrons’ intellectual freedom and right to read what they choose goes far beyond a single week at the end of February. Instead, it is a constant, year-round commitment. Here are some things to consider when dealing with challenges:
Public libraries are required to have a Selection, Acquisition, Purchase, and Disposition of Library Resources Policy. Be familiar with your library’s policy. A reconsideration form should be included in your selection policy. See sample templates at www.prl.ab.ca/policy-templates.
Have your patrons voice their concerns in writing, using your reconsideration form. Be sure your reconsideration form asks what the patron objects to, the good qualities of the material, and what course of action the patron would like to see taken.
Beware of proof-texting. Certain quotes from an item can be taken out of context and used to challenge its appropriateness. Your reconsideration form should ask if the patron has read/viewed the entire work.
Report challenges, on the Freedom to Read website (http://www.freedomtoread.ca/) and/or through the Canadian Library Association’s Annual Survey of Challenges to Canadian Library Resources and Policies. These surveys raise awareness about challenges to library materials in Canada.
Don’t self-censor your collection due for fear of challenges! Build collections that serve the wide variety of needs in your community.
Practice responses with co-workers so you feel confident if a challenge arises in your library. A sample conversation is available on the Q: drive in the Policies folder under Challenges.
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Consultant’s Corner
UWalk Pedometer Coming to Libraries Parkland is pleased to announce a new partnership with UWALK, a province-wide program to promote physical activity, developed by the University of Alberta’s faculty of Physical Education and Recreation and funded by the Province of Alberta. Through UWALK, public libraries in Alberta will be able to loan pedometers to their patrons Why is a Pedometer Library Loan Program important? The Canadian Physical Activity guidelines recommend adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week. Currently, 85 percent of Canadians are not meeting this recommendation. Studies show wearing a pedometer increases steps by 2,000 per day, setting people well on their way to meeting their activity goals! As of the middle of February, 20 libraries in the Parkland region have signed up for UWALK’s Pedometer Library Loan Program. Parkland is thrilled by the number of libraries who have chosen to join the movement! Participating libraries can expect to receive their pedometers sometime this spring, just in time for prime walking season. Pedometers will arrive at libraries catalogued and processed by Parkland. Further information will be sent to participating libraries as it becomes available.
Creating Successful Surveys Surveys can be useful tools to gather information about satisfaction levels, service preferences, demographics, etc. However, as anyone who has ever tried to analyze survey results can tell you, the accuracy and value of data collected is highly dependent on how well the survey has been designed. Follow these six steps to create a better survey. 1. Clearly define the goal for your survey. Make sure it is focused and specific, so that you can gather the data you need with the fewest number of questions. Before you design a survey, you need precise answers to three questions: “Why are we conducting the survey?” “What do we want to know?” and “How will we use this information?” 2. Decide whom to survey. There needs to be sufficient response from the target audience in order for the results to be valid as representative of that group. 3. Prepare questions that match your goals. If a question does not specifically relate to your defined goal, don’t include it on the survey. 4. Decide how to administer your survey. Will it be online? On paper? Both? Data analysis is easier when it has been collected online. However, your target audience may be better served by a print survey. For example, paper surveys may be more effective when people are present in the room (e.g. following a program) or for those who do not have easy access to the Internet or to an online survey. 5. Pre-test your survey and tweak it. Ask 4 to 6 people to take the survey. Were any questions difficult or confusing? Look at the responses and ask yourself “Were the right questions asked?” 6. Distribute your survey via the most appropriate channels and publicize it. Surveys can be delivered many ways: email list, Facebook link, utility bill mailout, website or email link, and others. Match up your intended audience with the best way to reach that target group. Make sure you let people know when the survey ends. Be aware of survey fatigue. Don’t survey people without a good reason or too frequently. Make sure questions are relevant to the audience. You will get a better response rate with shorter surveys than with longer ones. For more information on creating effective library surveys, check out the WebJunction webinar archive at http://webjunction.org/events/webjunction/library-surveys-for-success.html
Consultants’ Corner
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Flexible Spaces - Flexible Futures Notes from a WebJunction webinar on library space planning, led by Kendra Morgan (OCLC) and Dri Ralph (Facilities Designer, King County Library System). As library staff and board members, we all want our libraries to be the best possible spaces they can be. While oftentimes we are designing new or redeveloping existing spaces on a tight budget, there are things we can do to ensure our spaces are as functional and flexible as possible while keeping within our means. Burke Centre Library, Fairfax County, Virginia.
Location, location, location. Location really is the key. King County Library System discovered that the single most important factor influencing how many people came to the library each day was the location and accessibility of the building. Furthermore, when residents can see the library every day, that is its own best advertisement. Two additional elements that led to successful buildings were having plenty of natural light and ensuring that a new building fits within the architecture of the community. Flexibility factors. Infrastructure, way finding, shelving, and displays influence how flexible library spaces are. With small buildings - or small spaces within a larger building – keep the shape as simple as possible for the greatest flexibility. Buildings up to 10,000 square feet don’t require columns for beam support. The fewer interior support structures (walls or columns) used, the more flexibility that space will have. Retractable walls, rather than solid ones, can transform an open space to a closed space as needed. Thus, the same space can be used more often and for different purposes. As mobile devices become more prevalent, the need to access to electrical outlets increases. Install more outlets than you think you’ll need and place them for easy access. Realize that people will move furniture near electrical outlets if it is not already placed there. Make the most of the space you have. It’s not all or nothing; there are many small things you can do to improve the flexibility of existing space. Consider using colour schemes (walls, shelving, signage, etc.) to improve way finding for library users, especially when space is tight. For example, blue might denote adult fiction while the teen area is orange. Placement of furniture and shelving can also help define spaces. Have furnishings, including tables and freestanding shelving units, on lockable casters so that they can be moved to create the spaces you need when you need them. This can be done with existing furniture as well as with new purchases. Invite the public to be part of the process. Ask people what they want, within defined limits. For example, give them several furniture samples to choose from and let them vote on which they prefer. Colour schemes, however, are best left to professionals, not the public. While it is worthwhile to have public input on several design options, it is the library manager’s responsibility to ensure that the space works efficiently for library staff and for all patron groups. If something needs to be a particular way for the sake of functionality, stand your ground. One important role for library staff and trustees is to ensure the library space is both flexible and functional. For more information on designing flexible spaces, view the archived webinar at http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/flexible-spaces-flexible-futures.html
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Library News
Sundre ‘I Love Books’ Here in Sundre, we’re fortunate—you probably are, too—in being part of a community that’s eager to see new projects benefitting children and young people. We’re also blessed with a large number of local businesses willing to help support such projects. Put that together with our wish to increase the visibility of the library, and voilà: Sundre Library’s “I Read Books” campaign was born. The basic idea was to feature the portraits of a number of local businesspeople, each photographed in their place of work, each reading a book. I wanted to run a monthly ¼-page colour newspaper ad and I wanted to have money left over to help kickstart some of our literacy projects at the library. First stop: our local newspaper, the Sundre Round-Up. I presented the publisher with a one-page description of the project, and asked if, over the next 10 months, he would provide $2,000 worth of free advertising in the paper, to benefit local literacy, especially for kids and families. The answer was yes! — and I knew we had the most expensive part of the project covered, enough for ten monthly advertisements. Then I started my rounds of visits to the owners of local businesses. I’m not good at cold-calling, even though I chose people I know reasonably well, and where I was known as a customer. I wanted the most recognizable faces I could find: the owner of the local Home Hardware, the ATB bank manager, the Town councillor who runs one of the local restaurants, the owner of the tire shop, the bulk fuel agent, the Sobey’s manager. I also wanted people who would not necessarily be already associated with the library; in fact, of all my targets, only one had a current library membership! As I explained what I was after, I took some good-natured ribbing (“So Jamie, you think I can read, do you?”) but only one person turned me down, saying she was too uncomfortable in front of a camera. She’s since agreed to host a Library book club in her coffee shop. There was one other part of the plan: I asked each person featured to donate $200 to sponsor someone else’s portrait. That way, everyone was guaranteed two ads in which their business name was featured: one with their own photo, the other as sponsor. I also promised a framed 8x10 glossy, and a new (or renewed) library card. As for a photographer, one enthusiastic—and expert—volunteer from the local camera club did them all, and appeared to have a good time at it, besides. Our ads began running in December—and people noticed! It’s hard to tell whether we have more library visitors, or sold more memberships because of “I Read Books”, but it’s certainly raised our profile. The colour ad really attracts attention; rather than using it to promote specific events, we use same text every time. Besides spotlighting local businesses, I also have an ad coming up featuring the young person who runs our Book Club for Teens (featured on the Quatrefoil cover), and I’m on the hunt for a teenage hockey player (male). Of course, I won’t ask them to contribute $200; we can cover the costs of their portraits and advertisements from other donations. And the money left over? We will have about $1,000 which will finance the creation of our new, literacyoriented “Busy Bags” for kids. All in all, there’s a lot to be said for small-town living and small-town libraries.
Library News
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Killam’s 75th Anniversary What better way to spend Family Literacy Day than to celebrate your library’s 75 th Birthday! At least, that is what we at Killam Public Library thought. So on January 27 th, we threw a great party to celebrate our 75 years of serving our community. We pulled out the old scrapbooks full of pictures and articles, some plaques, and posters, and the unveiling of our archival ‘scrapbook’ of old Killam newspapers dating back to 1919. There were three door prizes: a beautiful bouquet, a one year family membership, and a set of Killam History Books (graciously donated by the Historical Society). What is a celebration without cake?!?! Amber Eddy, who joined our board in December, made the most incredible cake… a stack of books with a decadent chocolate cake between the covers! We were graced with former library managers, board members, the town’s Mayor and CEO, and Karen Goodwillie from PRL. Thank you PRL for the exquisite bouquet!
The Town of Killam presented us with our own mini “Secret Garden”
Library Sleepover Fun in Donalda We had a wonderful turnout for our combined Stuffed Animal Sleepover and Lego day! 18 kids and 3 supervisors (including the library manager) settled in with stuffed animals for a night of pizza, popcorn, and a movie. Afterwards, our teen volunteer read some bedtime stories and the kids tucked their stuffed animals in for the night, parents picked up their kids and staff cleaned up. When the building was quiet, that is when the fun began for the stuffed animals! Story time and a trip to the lobby to visit the Christmas tree were in order. The next day the kids all came down for cereal and hot chocolate and had a fun time with the legos that were generously lent to the library. We had some amazing creations and some fun with board games as well. The kids very much enjoyed the pictures of what happens when you leave a bunch of stuffed animals in the library after dark!
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Library News
William Boulton Visits Elnora Public Library William Boulton, a local Lousana man, with a book just out about his life after a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) attack in 2007, was at the Elnora Public Library on December 2nd, for a successful author visit, in spite of blizzard conditions. The book chronicles his journey when MS left him stuck inside himself, as he learned again to "walk, talk, taste, see, feel, and hear." The book is titled I Miss Me and it physically and mentally reveals his fighting ambition, drive, and determination. William says that "the mission of this book is to give people an idea of what multiple sclerosis can do and what can happen -- and to tell them that Author William Boulton and Library Manager Wanda Strandquist no matter what happens, they should never give up on hope and always, always keep on fighting" He hopes this book will be an inspiration to those facing a devastating, life-changing event. William also stresses the importance of his family and friends "who gave up so much of their own lives to help me recover mine."
Library News
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Catering to the Luxurious (and racy) Side of Camrose On February 7th, Camrose Public Library hosted its second annual free pampering event for women 18 years of age and up. After the library closed for the night, 203 women spent the evening at our Be Your Own Valentine. Upon arrival, attendees were greeted at the door with tickets for a glass of wine and a 15% off coupon for our favorite local lingerie shop, Bra Necessities. After a visit to the bar (A.K.A. The Circ. Desk) we made book bead earrings, sampled luxury products and services from local independent businesses, dipped into a chocolate fountain, munched on sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, sipped wine with sassy names (one was called Flirt), perused a bookshelf full of titillating literature and intriguingly informative books, and enjoyed visiting. After all the hands were massaged, nails were done, and eyebrows waxed, we drew names for the over $1000.00 in door prizes that were donated by local businesses. Ladies went home with gift cards for dinners at local restaurants, hotel stays, tickets to the Celebrating Women Conference, certificates for gel nails, and other luxury products and services. The most excitement was generated by a $100.00 gift certificate for Sole City Shoes, a local purveyor of beautiful footwear.
There were a few ladies who work in the hair and esthetics industry who came to do nail demos and free waxing.
Local massage therapists donated their time to pamper attendees with hand, foot and back massage.
We’d like to thank all the sponsors, businesses, and practitioners who made this night a success!
Local Art Show at Camrose Public Library On January 9th, the Camrose Public Library opened our doors to 491 community members during our 2nd annual Camrose Composite Art Show and Reception. This partnership with the local high school was a natural fit: the students need a space to display their work for an extended period of time and we enjoy showing the work of local artists. We supply walls, snacks, and some advertising, they provide talent and, by extension, a huge number of people through our doors. Next year I’ll be sure there is someone roving with a computer to hand out library cards to those in attendance. MLA Verlyn Olson, his wife Mardell, and artist Jamie Cole
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Library News
Innisfail News It has been a long, cold winter; however, in Innisfail we are keeping warm by keeping busy. We celebrated winter with Family Literacy Day together with our neighbours, the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning. We also co-hosted two armchair travel events and two Snowshoeing Workshops. For some reason freshly falling snow seemed to attract more people to the library for these latter two events. On a School Professional Day, Miss Sherry held an ‘Ocean Footprints’ event. Children were read tales of ocean life and then recreated their interpretation of the view. In January, we hosted TREXX “Memories of the Farm” exhibit with guest artist Hazel Litzgus. Hazel’s art exhibit had been travelling the southern part of the province and Innisfail was its first stop north of Marigold, and the first time many of her family were able to see the exhibit. The event was both an exciting art exhibit and family reunion. Our Youth Programmer, Melinda has been busy hosting Introduction to Robotics, Rhyme ‘n Rhythm, and Animation workshops, all of which are waiting list only. On February 8th, we opened up our Science Saturday event to all who wanted to attend. This was a great day at the library as the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew drove up from Calgary. The Crew of three trainers brought with them one adult dog and two puppies. This was a very special day for us; succinctly put by one patron, “Now the library is complete.” Though there are no immediate plans to bring in more guest animals, in March, along with our regular programming events, we will be hosting a Fancy Nancy Spa Day, a Trout Unlimited Science Saturday, and a presentation by motivational speaker and author William R.T. Boulton. And on a different note, with mixed feelings our Library Clerk of over five years, Gloria Jean Walter has decided to retire. Gloria has earned her retirement, and I am pleased for her and yet disappointed for the library. She just wasn’t the garnish on the cocktail, Gloria was the main ingredient. Keep your eyes and ears open for the details of a retirement celebration for Ms. Gloria Jean Walter. Clockwise from right: Participants in the Ocean Footprints program, Hazel Litzgus Memories of the Farm exhibit, kids and puppies at the Alberta Animal Rescue program.