Partnerships enhance fun events with the libraries

At the County library branches, we’re always looking for opportunities to partner with other groups and organizations in our community – this includes the municipal recreation committees who work hard to create events and programming to bring neighbours together.

Recently the Athol Recreation Committee held a trivia night, and the library was able to lend its PA System and speaker to make sure everyone in attendance could hear the questions being asked. Co-incidentally, the event’s emcee was Mike Trites, who is also busily organizing the upcoming Speculative Fiction event featuring Tom Harrison, Tanya Huff and Fiona Patton at the Picton Branch Library on May 31. Tickets and more information about that event are available at peclibrary.org

An exciting upcoming partnership will bring the Hub Family and Child Care centre (EarlyON PEC) to the Bloomfield Branch on Thursday, June 5 for a popup playgroup from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Illustrator Meg Hewick will read from her book “The Troublesome Twenty” and children and families will have the opportunity to explore the newly refreshed children’s space, thanks to the Friends of the Library. All are welcome, please register by emailing jessicag@thehubcentre.ca

We have also worked with the Bloomfield Recreation Committee on a number of initiatives. For the past few years, we have been open during the Santa Claus parade, offering children’s activities and a warm place to wait for the main event. The group also offered a craft night at the library through the winter months.

On Saturday, June 7 we’re looking forward to participating in their annual Picnic in the Park at the Mill Pond. We’ll be there with a table of activities. Another way we’re supporting this event is by loaning the group our giant games, including the extra-large Connect 4 game which has been a hit with people of all ages. Find out more about what the group has planned on Facebook – search for Bloomfield Recreation Committee.

We’re also looking forward to visiting the County Kids Read book room as PECI classes come by for their end-of-school visits. It’s always fun to see how excited the young readers are, and to have the chance to spread the word about how they can keep reading all summer long through the public library.

Also, mark your calendars for May 30, when we’ll partner with the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists for a program all about keeping turtles safe at 3 p.m. in the Picton Branch Library.

Any group can borrow equipment – speakers, PA system, indoor and outdoor projection screens, as well as giant games and other resources from the library. You can even borrow the internet – a small mobile device that creates a wireless hotspot. If you have questions about the technology available for you to use, call (613) 476-5962. Just like our meeting rooms, there’s no charge for nonprofit groups.