By Trecia Schell
The 2019 Food for Fines program at the library wrapped up at the end of April, and we were very grateful to receive many long-lost library books, and continuing to ensure our karmic goodness by accepting over 20 boxes of non-perishable food items (in lieu of overdue book fines) that were donated to our two local food banks in Pictou East and Pictou West. Many thanks to our wonderful community for supporting the library’s initiative and giving back to our local communities too.
*The Adopt-a-Library’s WOW! Reading Challenge in the schools also wrapped up in April, and we’re pleased to announce Salt Springs Elementary was the local winning school. This year, the sport of reading engaged 5,795 student reading athletes at 32 schools. Athletes in the elementary schools read 440,287 books, while middle and high school athletes combined, read a total of 355,291. This year, we had 17 schools in Pictou and Antigonish counties compete, and these schools received 13,160 books from the Adopt-a-Library Literacy program.
*And to keep up your reading stamina, the library is gearing up with some great events for our Summer Reading programs for all ages. Something to bookmark in your calendars, the Big Summer Book Club @PARL (for adults), will start June 1 and continue until the end of August, 2019. Read it, love it, and return it! We’d love to hear and share your book recommendations this summer.There are draws for great monthly prizes and several grand prizes too. Many thanks to the generous support of our community business partners, and Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program. Stay tuned for more details, and drop by your local library branch to participate.
* The regional library offers over 40 programs a week, filled with fun for all ages and abilities, that are sure to bring a smile, and a light heart. For the next few weeks at the New Glasgow Library, Shelley Ballantyne is offering a free Laughter Yoga class on Tuesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. All are welcome to drop by, and drop-in! And calling all fans of Robert Munsch – The Paper Bag Princess is back, for a puppet show at the Pictou Library on Thursday May 16 starting at 2 p.m. All are welcome to join us, and learn about a very brave princess.
* And to borrow from another favorite fairy tale, “... all the better to see you with...”! If you may have trouble reading the ‘fine print’ of local newspapers, magazines or other items, the library now has an ION Supersight magnifier available at each library branch for library patrons to borrow while visiting the library. Please ask at the library desk for more details.
*A reminder too, the regional library will be closed on Monday May 20, 2019 in observance of the Victoria Day holiday. During this time, library services are available online at www.parl.ns.ca , and the library book return drop boxes are open. The Victoria Day weekend also marks the beginning of the summer hours schedule at the New Glasgow library. The library will now be closed on Sunday afternoons until after the Labour Day weekend.
For more information on upcoming library programs, special events and services, please drop by your local library branch, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, or visit us online at www.parl.ns.ca .
Trecia Schell is Community Services Librarian, and Branch Librarian - Books-by-Mail, River John, Stellarton & Trenton Public Libraries
