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New Tecumseth Library hosts virtual programs during lockdown

April 16, 2021   ·   0 Comments

The Library may be closed for in-house visits during the current stay-at-home order, but that doesn’t mean you can’t read, learn, and have some fun.

The New Tecumseth Public Library is hosting a bevy of popular virtual programs that can you can take part in free of charge.

Currently, the library branches in Alliston, Beeton, and Tottenham are still doing curbside pick up for those wanting to get a real book into their hands.

“Right now, we still offer curbside pick-ups,” explained Kim Burgess, Library Adult Services Program Co-ordinator. “You can still request items and drop in to pick them up, you just can’t come inside. You can book a curbside appointment time. We also have a wide variety of materials available to patrons electronically via download or streaming. That includes books, audio books, magazines, newspapers, film, instructional courses and more.”

Ms. Burgess has a whole series of virtual programs planned for the coming months including programs to learn, some to discuss books and film with others, and some programs are just to have a little fun without having to leave home.

April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, the Library is offering you the chance to win a boxed set of Rupi Kaur’s books, “milk and honey”’ and “the sun and her flowers.” To enter, simply e-mail Ms. Burgess and tell her why you would love to win and read Rupi Kaur.

“We have programs in April – all those programs are slated and registration is underway,” Ms. Burgess said. “Everything we used to offer in-person is now virtual. We have virtual book clubs, both monthly and one-off book clubs, meaning you don’t have to register every month. You might just be interested in a specific book club. For example, in April, I am running what is called a Big Library Read, and it’s a virtual e-book reading club, so not only is the program virtual, you read it electronically – the title of the book is The Art of Taking it Easy. We have unlimited access for that book electronically. This club will take place on Thursday, April 29.”

The Kanopy Club is like a book club except it’s for film. There are pre-selected films chosen by members. Members choose a film and have an entire month to watch it. You can then log on to the meeting and discuss the film with others who have watched it.

The Beeton Cookbook Club has themes for its monthly meeting.

“This is a monthly program and we have themes,” Ms. Burgess explained. “You have a month to play with the theme. Our theme for April is cake decorating. Members are busy at home testing cakes and doing all sorts of wild and wonderful things with cake decorating. For this month we have the Rebel Crumb Cake Shop in Alliston – they’re going to join us and give demos, and tips on icing, and piping and all that kind of stuff.”

The Library’s Money Management Club, which will next meet on Wednesday, April 28, is presented by the Credit Counselling Society.

“This is offered the last Wednesday of every month,” Ms. Burgess said. “This month the topic is ‘Death, Taxes, and Beyond.’ We’ll have a whole series on this. It’s quite popular because people are struggling financially right now.”

With spring now here, many people are thinking about getting their gardens ready for spring planting.

The Library’s Seedy Saturday gives you the opportunity to get seeds for your garden.

“We have a Seed Library at the D.A. Jones Beeton Branch,” Ms. Burgess explained. “We have an inventory of seeds that are available that people can start requesting for the planting season. There are planting starter kits. You can take home the kit and start growing it inside with instructions on how to transplant it outside.”

There is an online tutorial speaker series with different experts who will speak on a variety of gardening topics.

For the real adventurous, the Library hosted a virtual Escape Room in December with plans to have another one in May.

The virtual Escape Room contains puzzles and challenges that require visitors to solve to be part of the game and escape from the room.

The New Tecumseth Public Library may be currently closed to visitors, but you can still be a part of it by taking advantage of all these virtual programs designed to inform and sometimes just have a little fun.

You can follow by visiting the Library website at: www.ntpl.ca, and signing up for the Library newsletter.

To enter the National Poetry Month contest you can contact Mr. Burgess via e-mail at kimburgess@ntpl.ca.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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