Kids corner

The Youth Department is an exciting place to be these days. The biggest news is that we finally have DVD’s. Everyone is quite excited- both patrons and staff alike. My favorite DVD (probably for nostalgic reasons) is “The Goonies”. I brought it home and my kids got a real kick out of it even though that girl with the strange hair is really weird (Cyndi Lauper).

We have many children’s programs but we also have programs for “tweens” as well. Last week we had Royalty story time. We had a huge turnout and the girls were all dressed up as Princesses. It was a grand time and the kids did a terrific job on their tiara’s and crowns. To find out about our programs, a program flyer can be picked up at the desk or visit the library website. There are some activities planned for March break, which our children’s librarian will be conducting. She has some amazing ideas so I encourage all the kids to come to her workshops. If you are feeling Irish on Sunday, March 11th, come by the department for Sunday Stories at 3:30.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

One of the privileges of working in the diverse city of Côte Saint-Luc is the possibility of sharing happy occasions with our fellow neighbors. Last Sunday, February 18, we celebrated Chinese New Year. Since we are entering the year of the pig, we decided to make a ‘piggy’ bank. Volunteers helped prepare and clear up, and everyone had a great time making their pigs.

It is so wonderful working with youths, who are open-minded and immensely creative. With some very basic recyclable materials they are able to come up with beautiful and unique creations. Many times I ask myself who is learning from whom! I wonder what other wonderful surprises they will have for me in my next program. By the way, Happy New Year everyone!

Oscar Fever

Hollywood fails to impress me with its consistent recycling of ideas. To devote several hours of a Sunday night to the Academy Awards seems a frivolous waste of time when I could be watching a swell documentary or movie from another country borrowed from the delightful assortment of DVDs in the Library.

For the 79th Annual Oscars it has changed. Because of the "Pick the Most Winners contest" held in the Audio Visual Department I will finally have my choices recognized. The thrill of the victories of each nominee will catch my attention and hold me fast as I wait to see how many of my selections match up with the official selections of the Academy.

Tomorrow is the last chance to enter to win a DVD. The form is available at the Audio Visual Desk. If you need more information, any of the friendly ladies at the desk will be more than happy to help. Stop by, say hello, see the swell selection of DVDs available for you to reserve and see all we have to offer in our almost endless array of entertainment.

Winter Remedy

Winter is not my friend. I can never quite get used to the frigid temperatures no matter how much preparation I have. But I've discovered a program here at the library that makes things much better for me. The program is called Fireside Tales. I can’t think of a better way to pass a blustering cold Wednesday evening than to listen to a captivating storyteller while sipping hot chocolate in the library’s fireplace lounge.

I truly consider storytelling to be a beautiful but rather rare art form. During these past couple of weeks I have been transported to various parts of the world. Last week I listened to the very talented Moroccan storyteller Myriame El-Yamani and the week before I heard the Irish born Mike Burns tell his engaging and fascinating tale. At one point during a brief intermission I asked our storyteller Mike, whose back was close to the fireplace, if he would like me turn down the heat wondering if he was too warm. He looked at me and smiled answering: “There is no such thing as too warm”. I couldn’t have said it better myself. There are two remaining Fireside Tales programs on the 21st and the 28th of February. Come by and check it out for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Exciting New Changes

With so many dramatic new physical changes in the library, it can be easy to miss some of the exciting, but less obvious changes taking place in many areas in the library. The changes in our programs, for example, are most exciting to me. We launched the first in a new line-up of AV programs, Friday Night @ The Movies, or FN@TMs, which have never been offered in the past. In addition, Passion for Film and Computers for Beginners will finally give us a great opportunity to make better use of some of the newly renovated spaces, such as the expansive audiovisual room and public computer area. It’s a really nice feeling to know, that not only do we have something for everyone now, we also have great spaces to enjoy it in. For everyone reading this now, I urge you to come back to your the library and try something new, you’ll be glad you did!

Fresh Eyes

Since February of last year when the renovations began, visitors to the library have probably noticed something new every time they come in: shelving in A/V, the study room, the new program brochures... I walk around the library constantly, and I’m always amazed and proud of how far it’s come in so relatively short a period.

When you work in a place for years, it becomes so familiar to you that you take the way things are for granted. The library has become so dynamic that now I see it with fresh eyes every day. I know what the plans are but when they actually manifest, it thrills me every single time. Yesterday, for example, we mounted in the Audiovisual lounge a piece of art we commissioned from Justin, who works at the circulation desk. It looks fantastic! Last week we launched our first ‘Friday night at the Movies’, a new program for film buffs. And of course, this blog is new too.

Creativity bubbles in this library and more than ever, you will see our staff playing a leading role in making it extraordinary.