CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — There’s exciting news on the historical front. The library is running a weeklong series of programs to celebrate local history.
Step Back in Time @ Your Library runs Oct. 27-Nov. 2 and has something for everyone.
Starting Oct. 27, there will be Hands-On History with Jason MacNeill from Orwell Corner. Drop in at 2 p.m. for your chance to touch, feel and experience artifacts from our past.
On Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. it’s “Who’s Your Fadder?” an introduction to Ancestry.ca library edition. This is available for free at any public library in the province. Space is limited so call 902-368-4642 to register.
Then on Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m., P.E.I. Poet Laureate, Julie Pellissier-Lush will delight us with Mi’kmaq Campfire Tales. Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. will bring even more stories with Thrilling Tales: Island History Edition. Local actors will offer up ghost stories and folklore of P.E.I. So, prepared to be scared.
Speaking of local celebrities showing off their stuff, award-winning authors Katherine Dewar and John Cousins will share their knowledge and experience of historical research on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. To finish out the week on Nov. 2 there will be a repeat of “Who’s Your Fadder” at 10:30 a.m. Call to register. Then at 2 p.m., sit back and enjoy an armchair tour of historic Charlottetown with a local guide, Don Lott.
There’s also a historic photo display provided by the P.E.I. Provincial Archives and a photobooth—complete with costumes, historical headwear and word bubbles. Check out our Facebook page for more details.
On top of that super busy week we’re still offering our usual monthly programs.
On Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. will be Seniors’ Café so drop in for coffee, tea and a chat. Then on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m., it’s the 5 Minute Book club.
The second meeting of In Stitches—a fibre art club will be held on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. and will continue the first Wednesday of each month. Bring your knitting, cross-stitching, crocheting, quilting or even your household mending and join the fun.
On Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. will be another edition of Craft or Fail with a new, death-defying project on offer.
A few other exciting happenings at the library include a celebration of Bat Week on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. with Robert Harding from Parks Canada. This is not a debate about who was the best Batman but a discussion of local bats and how they are doing.
Then on Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. professional medium Karen Forrest, Angel Lady reveals what she believes past loved ones are up to with the free lecture, “What in Heaven are they doing?”
On Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. the P.E.I. Advisory Council on the Status of Women will be at the library to host its annual Purple Ribbon Pinning Bee. Be a part of the solution to end violence against women.
On Nov. 15 at noon we will be launching a new initiative in partnership with the P.E.I. Lung Association—radon detector kits. A specialist from Health Canada will give us the low down on radon and the kits will be added to our library collection.
On Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. show off your talent at Open Mic Night.
Our regular programs in the Children’s library are always available so drop in to enjoy these exciting options.
Starting with our youngest library patrons, on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. join us for Wiggle, Giggle, Read for babies and their caregivers. Toddler Time is held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Family Storytime for ages 3-5 (and their grownups) is Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Family Game Time is a chance to get unplugged, play a game and make some new friends is at 11 a.m. on Fridays and budding engineers can build new worlds at Lego Club on Sundays at 2 p.m. Craft Club on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. will feature scratch art.
On Oct. 20 at 2 p.m., Dave Atkinson will be launching the final book in his Wereduck series—"The Wereduck Code”. All are welcome. More winged creatures are on order Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. when Parks Canada will help us Go Batty over Bats.
There’s no school on Nov. 8 so kids ages 5-12 are invited to help us celebrate National S.T.E.A.M. day with activities and fun. Call 902-368-4644 to register for this one.
November 14 and 15 are a BOGO PD day so stay tuned to our Facebook page for two days of no school excitement.
For teens, the Drop-in Drawing program continues on Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. and there will be an afternoon of creating on Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. with our monthly make and take program.
The library will be closed on Nov. 11 in honour of Remembrance Day.
Recommended reads for Remembrance Day are: “A Dog Named Beautiful: A Marine, a dog and a long trip home” by Rob Kugler and “Day Girls: the spies who armed the resistance, sabotaged the Nazis and helped win World War II” by Sarah Rose.
Val Kilmer. Val Kilmer was the best Batman.
Beth Clinton is the regional librarian with the P.E.I. Provincial Library Service. Her column appears in The Guardian once a month. Anyone who would like more information on programs should call the library at 902-368-4642.
