Challenges and Inspiration

I think that what I love best about hosting the program “Computers for Beginners”, is watching how far people, who never thought they could learn about computers at all, can come in just four short weeks. I wish that more people could just rise to the challenge, go out on a limb, and try something new.

Several classes ago, I taught an 87 year old man how to set up and use an e-mail account in order to send and receive letters from his grandchildren; he had never used or even touched a computer before. Now, several weeks after completing the course at our library, this 87-year-young man, is writing e-mails every week, looking up information on Google, and even coming in for more practice on our public computers!

I love working with my “students”, their courage and willingness to learn, even in the face of an obstacle, inspires me to do better; to be better. I also want to learn to be brave, to rise to the occasion, to face obstacles in my path, and it is my students who have shown me the best model for how to do this: you try. If that doesn’t work, then you try again. If that doesn’t work and you start to feel frustrated, then you try again still. The funny thing is that before you even know it, you aren’t just trying, you’re practicing, and then eventually, you’re even mastering!

What are you waiting for!

Ever try studying in a cafe? The tables are always too small so eventually something falls on the floor and when you want to talk in a group around a table there are never enough chairs to be had.

Well, you don’t have to worry about this anymore, because the library has a brand new study room! It has a huge table, so you can sprawl out and take as much room as you like. No one will be giving you evil looks to hurry up because you can reserve the room in 3 hour time slots. This is also the perfect place to go if you need a place to study in a group or talk about your project. It is so easy to book the room, you can reserve on the spot or call ahead of time. So if you’re 15 years and over and are a member of the library then there’s just one question for you: What are you waiting for to start using this room?

Slice of Art

The nineteen engravings now on display in the library's art gallery represent an interesting cross section of who was "hot" over the past two decades of the Montreal art scene. Each year the Conseil des arts de Montréal awards a prize of excellence to some cultural organization, and accompanies the cheque with a specially commissioned art work by a Montreal artist. The works are hung in chronological order from 1985 (Pierre Ayot) to 2003 (Roberto Pellegrinuzzi). You know those lips on the roof of the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal? Right next to Place des arts? They're the work of Geneviève Cadieux ...1995. And if I could pick one to take home, it would be "La chanteuse et le musicien" (2004) by Elmyna Bouchard. It cracks me up! That is the one Justin, our resident artist, wants too.

Books to grow up on

Working in the youth department allows me to re-live my childhood everyday. I can pick up certain books on a shelf and remember exactly when I read them as a child and young adult. Throughout elementary school, I was fortunate to work in our school library. I loved going through the new books and putting away familar books. Discovering a new book to read was always a thrill. You could never go wrong with Dr. Seuss, Judy Blume or Carolyne Keene(especially if you were just hankering for a mystery to solve!).

I encourage all the children to visit the youth department and find that special book which will provide wonderful memories down the road. Our collection has been growing over the past few months, so I know that there is a book waiting for you right now. So, put down your game controller and pick up your library card. See you soon!

Collection Maintenance; a gardener’s delight

A library’s collection is like a garden. First and foremost, it requires a plan that drives what goes into the garden. Then like a garden, the collection needs to be nurtured and maintained. It cannot just continue to grow and grow without careful attention. Sooner or later, if it is neglected it becomes unruly, overgrown and filled with weeds. It calls out desperately for tender loving care, to be pruned and to be weeded, to replace what has become shabby, to add where gaps have formed.

I have become the library’s gardener and like the gardener, every day I tend to the collection. I admire it, I nurture it, I prune it, and I weed it. I obsess over it and I am very passionate about it. I anxiously await for the new selections to arrive hurrying them along to get them on the shelves as soon as possible.

Perhaps it is too soon to see the fruits of my labour. But if one looks carefully, especially in the areas of Philosophy, Psychology and Religion one might begin to see some changes. As work progresses, more and more, one may notice that the books in these subject areas are current and relevant with the classics and standards for the most part having been replaced with gleaming new editions. They have all been selected to take their rightful place on the library shelves where they will continue to be lovingly nurtured, pruned and weeded much to the delight of this avid gardener.

Passport to freedom

Libraries are important to me. While I’m not a librarian and haven’t had formal training in the science of Libraries I am none the less fascinated with them. Imagine a place where you can go and discover the entire world without having to board a plane. This is what Libraries mean to me. I can enter someone else’s imagination, join them on a fun filled ride as they introduce me to the characters that fill their waking consciousness, all the while letting me escape the routines of my own life. I can take trips to Spain, Rome or just walk down the street to Schwartz simply by opening a book.

I remember the first Library card I signed up for. I was seven and my parents, who are avid readers, had been forever trying to encourage me “to pick up a book and go find a spot to read”. My father came with me and signed me up. It turned out to be the most valuable gift I have ever received. My library card became a passport to freedom and exploration. Truthfully, I really can’t imagine my childhood without my local library.

When I speak with patrons about this library and discover that some of them have been members since they were children I smile because I understand their affliction. When I meet others, who are joining the library for the very first time even after living in Cote Saint-Luc for many years I am amazed. "Where have you been?", I often ask. I wish that every single person who lives in this wonderful, vibrant city would take the time to join or rejoin what is a place known for being a true treasure among treasures. Come get your library card today!

Just for You

I always wonder, as a person but also as a library director, why people come to the library. You’d think it was a straightforward question but in fact it’s not. There are about as many ways to use a library as there are people. Some are in-and-out, get-their-books-and-go types; others take out nothing but sit comfortably all day and read newspapers. There are also, of course, those people for whom going to the library is a ritual and highly interactive event.

I try very hard to approach this library as a member of the public, but it’s really difficult to feel like a patron. That said, I am always and forever an awe-filled reader. Like many of you, I meander through the library looking for something to read. Not just anything, mind you, but the ‘right’ thing, which an entirely different story. We know that’s not always so easy to find, which is why we started a new service at the library that can help you. It’s called the “Reader Roadmap” and with it, your reading life will change forever.

Basically, you fill in the form at the Reference Desk that asks you a variety of short questions about your preferences (everything from your ideal book length to the types of characters you like). It has a few pages, but it doesn’t take too long. Within a couple of weeks, we’ll have prepared a tailor-made reading list just for you. You’ll know what to read next after that!

A Passion for Passion for Movies

I’m so excited! This month we finally got to launch another one of our new AV programs. The first Passion for Movies was certainly one to beat. Our patrons have asked and asked over the years about what kinds of movies we enjoy, ourselves. As a true movie-lover, I am thrilled to finally have a forum to be able to talk about the movies I love best, and explain why with other movie lovers. I think that Passion for Movies (which, by the way, also deals with our new collection of T.V. series) will really give people a chance to get to know us better.

Our goal in redesigning the new audiovisual department was to have a comprehensive department with something for everyone. So whether you want to try something new, take a walk on the dark side, or just come by to borrow an old favorite, I think we’ll have what you’re looking for, but if you aren’t sure what that is, come hear about some of our favorites first. The next Passion for Movies is taking place on June 7, 2007 at 7pm; I hope to see you there!

Write on!

It seems only appropriate that our library would be the host of all things literary. After all, we are a library filled with a seemingly endless array of books right? Tomorrow on March 6th the Creative Writing course with Timothy Fain will begin with its new time at 2:00 pm. For those interested there is still room in the class and you have until tomorrow to register for the course so don’t miss out on a great opportunity to unleash your inner writer.

Then on Thursday March 29th author Bill Brownstein author of Schwartz’s Hebrew Delicatessen: The Story will pay us a visit as part of the Quebec Writer’s Federation: Writers Out Loud series.

And as if that were not enough, on Wednesday April 11th author Bill Conrod will be here to discuss his book entitled Memories of Snowdon in the 50’s for all those who wish to take a stroll down memory lane.

For more information on upcoming programs grab one of our Programs and Special Events brochures.

Passion for Film - spice and everything nice

February fairly whipped by and for those twenty eight days I deliberated and cogitated with a groovy group of staff members. It was with vim and vigor we prepared to debut a special evening of cinematic entertainment. What choices to make from the ever growing collection? How to organize the hour? What would the scope of the soiree be?

Passion for Film at our favorite local library is less than a week away, on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 7 in the evening. This is the time you will delight in delicious movie talk, clips from films and a whole heaping helping of information. With Sarah as our host, an assortment of staff members will converse on three of their preferred movies. Romance, Drama, documentaries, HBO, Israel, Hollywood, and the whole world of Foreign Films will be waiting for you through the library door, over the threshold and into a condensed night of sweetness. A veritable cornucopia of good times await by the fire.

It is imperative to be out on Wednesday to witness all the wonderful and spicy surprises we have in store. We are still adding the finishing touches for the coolest movie soiree ever. After narrowing things down and changing my mind for what seems like a hundred times, nay a hundred three, I finally settled on a handful of goodness. From the lovely library assortment I will pick a DVD from the Foreign titles, something from the Feature films and a swell Documentary as well. You will not know what the titles are, not just yet but I will say the theme for the selections hinges around the number three, women and feisty characters that will knock your socks off. And what is more you will learn an intriguing fact or three about me, your effervescent Audio Visual lady.