Celebrating October as Canadian Library Month

COURTNEY McCLURE The Standard

NORTH DURHAM: October is Canadian Library Month. During this month, there are many ways to support your local library.

“I think [Canadian Library Month] means celebrating what we do [at the library],” said Corrinne Morrison. Corrinne is the manager at the Uxbridge Library.

Canadian Library Month “celebrates” the people who use the library’s services. The month also highlights the value local libraries add to communities.

The Uxbridge Library provides many services, such as free wi-fi, computers or a 3-D printers. This is beneficial for all members of the community, especially to those who do not have access to this technology at home.

The Uxbridge Library also has an online newspaper archive. In addition, you can find physical copies in the Genealogy section, at the library itself. The archive features obituaries and marriage announcements and more. You can find the archive at uxlib.com/modules/newspaper.

“Here in Uxbridge, our patrons are wonderful,” said Ms. Morrison. Many of the people who visit the Uxbridge Library will buy a new book, read it and then donate it to the library.

Using the libraries resources, such as their books and e-books, and donating to the library are great ways to support your local library.

Being kind to the staff members is also very much appreciated. Kind patrons are something the Uxbridge Library is “blessed with”, according to Ms. Morrison.

“The patrons and our community are very thankful to our staff,” she said, “and that makes everybody feel like they are doing something of value.”

Some members of the community have donated their time to the library, to organize a few kids-focused programs. The programs include Reading Buddies and Sing Along with Mojo and Co.

For adult patrons, an employee from Service Canada is coming to the library, to help patrons with various government related needs.

Canadian Library Month stems from Ontario’s Public Library Week. According to Amy Caughlin, the CEO of the Scugog Memorial Public Library, Ontario Public Library week has existed for many years.

Like the Uxbridge Library, the Scugog Memorial Library hosts many events throughout the year.

These events include movie nights which are held at the Scugog Library. On October 26th, they will be screening the movie titled, Elemental.

The Scugog library also hosts other programs, such as early literacy programs. A few of these programs include Babytime, Toddler Time and Family Storytime.

The library also hosts the Teen Advisory Board (TAG). The next meeting for TAG is on October 24th.

Since the staff at the Uxbridge Library “love their patrons” they have organized a raffle, to celebrate Canadian Library Month. If you’re interested, come by the library and fill out a ballot.

Entering the ballot gives you a chance to win an “Uxbridge Public Library Book Bag”, filled with a mug, books and other items.

Ballots are available, until Tuesday, October 31st, at 8 p.m., and winners will be personally contacted and announced on Wednesday, November 1st, on the library’s respective social media pages.