‘I didn’t know the library did that’

Administrator | May 30, 2026 | Comments 0

“I didn’t know the library did that!” This common refrain is echoed across each of the library’s six branches. Even the most stalwart library patron can be surprised by the available offerings, as new ideas and opportunities emerge regularly.

For years, the library has provided access to a variety of municipal services – dog licenses, fire permits and boat launch passes, to name a few. Additionally, the Consecon and Ameliasburgh branches of the library sell garbage bag tags for residents’ convenience.

You may know that the library offers printing and scanning services (including colour copies and printing up to 11” x 17” at the Picton and Wellington Branches) but did you know you can also send faxes from the library? This may sound like an outdated technology, but it is a service that is still used with some regularity by library patrons who require it. There’s a small fee to cover the cost for printing and faxing, and you can drop by any branch for more information.

The library’s Provincial Park passes and Quinte Conservation Area passes are popular all summer long, but did you know you can also borrow a pass to Peterborough’s Canadian Canoe Museum? We’re so grateful to the organizations who have made these passes available to the community through the public library.

The Community Pantry at the Picton Branch is a highly used resource. Food and personal care items are available at no cost on a “take what you need, leave what you have” basis. The Wellington Branch also has a small pantry available as needed. In addition to canned goods and other nonperishables, the pantry provides much-needed access to after school snacks for children and youth that arrive hungry every day. Our thanks to the many generous donors who have made this possible.

Meeting rooms are also popular at the library. The Picton branch has several small meeting rooms plus the large industrial-style flex space on the lowest level. The Dianne Cranshaw meeting room at the Wellington Branch is also available for use, with no charge for nonprofit or community groups. You can reserve a meeting room at peclibrary.org or by calling (613) 476-5962.

Thanks to the municipality, the library also lends fitness kits for seniors. Packed in a suitcase, the kit includes a number of easy to use fitness resources including pedal exerciser, resistance bands, yoga mat, and more. These fitness kits were developed by the New Horizons Seniors’ Advisory Group in collaboration with the County’s Community Safety and Well-being Plan. This initiative encourages older adults to stay strong, steady, and independent from the comfort of their home.

Book club sets feature 5-10 copies of popular book club titles, perfect for a group to all have access to the same book at once. You can browse this collection at the Picton Branch or call (613) 476-5962 for a list of available titles.

Many people are already thinking of this fall’s municipal election. The library will have resources for voters and candidates may even use the library meeting rooms for a fee. More information will come. When the new council is formed, you may want to consider replying to the call for board members – a great way to get involved in your community.
These are just a few of the possibly-surprising resources available at your library.

Drop in to any of the library’s six branches to learn more.

Locations and hours
Ameliasburgh Branch Al Purdy Library
809 Whitney Road, Ameliasburgh, K0K 1A0

Phone: 613-968-9327
Fax: 613-961-7992
Email: ameliasburgh@peclibrary.org

Hours
Tuesday 2-6 PM
Wednesday 10 AM-1 PM
Thursday 2-5 PM
Friday 10 AM-1 PM
Saturday 9 AM-12 PM

Bloomfield Branch Library
300 Main Street, Box 9, Bloomfield, K0K 1G0

Phone: 613-393-3400
Fax: 613-393-1887
Email: bloomfield@peclibrary.org

Hours
Tuesday 2-7 PM
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 10 AM-4 PM
Friday CLOSED
Saturday 10 AM-2 PM

Consecon Branch Library
211 County Road 29, Consecon, K0K 1T0
Phone: 613-392-1106
Fax: 613-392-4461
Email: consecon@peclibrary.org

Hours
Tuesday 10 AM-1 PM
Wednesday 2-6 PM
Thursday 10 AM-1 PM
Friday 2-5 PM
Saturday 1 PM-4 PM

Milford Branch Ann Farwell Library
3053 County Road 10, Milford, K0K 2P0

Phone: 613-476-4130
Fax: 613-476-6527
Email: milford@peclibrary.org

Hours
Tuesday 10 AM-1 PM
Wednesday 2-6 PM
Thursday 10 AM-1 PM
Friday CLOSED
Saturday 10 AM-3 PM