Monday 25 April 2016

Coming Soon!! Seed Library Pilot Project

  Looking for a family project that leads to healthy food choices and sustainable communities?
  Need seeds to complete your vegetable garden?
  Perhaps growing vegetables is new to you?
   Well, once again, the library is here to help. 
  Starting May 3rd, the Dr. Frank W. Morse Memorial Library in Lawrencetown is inviting you to stop by and pick up a free packet of seeds, complete with planting instructions.  It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
   1.   Browse the seed packets. (kindly donated by: Hope Seeds; Annapolis Seeds; and Paul Gregory, Organic Backyard Gardener)
   2.   Show us your library card.
   3.    We’ll give you the seeds!
   There is no expectation of returning any seeds from your finished project, although who knows what we’ll do in future?  (Some seed libraries do exactly that.  Participants donate seeds back, to be used by others in the community the following year.)
   As your project progresses, we’d love to hear from you, but that’s completely optional.   You could send us a photo or message on Facebook or Twitter. 
   AVRL has a wonderful collection of books on all kinds of gardening-related topics – vegetables, fruit, flowers, landscaping, composting, gardening with children, and much more.   Browse the shelves in any of our branch libraries or search the online catalogue to place holds. 
  Let’s get out there and get our hands dirty this summer.  Gardening is known to have substantial health benefits in terms of physical activity and mental well-being.  Certainly there’s absolutely nothing more satisfying than reaping the rewards from a garden you’ve grown yourself, and what a wonderful family project it can be.
Teaser:  Keep your ear to the ground.  Wouldn’t it be fun to have a Valley farmer participate in a library storytime this summer?

Monday 18 April 2016

What does your library have to offer?

Have you recently visited your local branch of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library? If not, you might be surprised by the content and services provided by a library near you. We have eleven branches located throughout the Valley, hence free and exciting reading as well as viewing and listening opportunities are always close to home.
We know that you enjoy stories not only from the pages of books, but also from your electronic devices including smart phones, e-readers and tablets, mp3 players, and even TV and game consoles.
With nothing but your library card you can have access to our ever expanding collection of audio books, available in both CD and mp3 formats.  These make a fantastic companion on long drives or quiet afternoons at home.
For those reading on the go we now carry an expansive collection of eBooks and e-magazines that can be borrowed for your e-reader much like a normal book. Simply search for what you're looking for and download it to your device.  The book will automatically be removed after the expiry date, no late fees!  Your library card even gives you access to popular movies and video-games. Save money on expensive rentals and borrow ours instead.
Your local library also has free programming and events for toddlers, school-aged children, teens and adults.  We have something for everyone in your family.  Have your children signed up for the summer reading club in past years?  At the end of the school year, sign up.  You can win prizes and at the completion of the reading assignments receive a free fast-pass to Upper Clements Park.
Accessibility is also important to us. If you have difficulty reading regular print, chances are we have a large print copy available. If you need help accessing content on computer, phone or tablet we can certainly assist with that too.
Your local libraries strive to remain vital members of your communities. We're constantly searching for ways of providing the best service to our patrons and ensuring that everyone has access to a diverse selection of educational content and entertainment. So please come visit soon and let us know what we can check out for you.

Post by Twila Thibodeau,  clerk at the Rosa M. Harvey Middleton and Area Library.

Monday 11 April 2016

April 20th is National Canadian Film Day

The Annapolis Valley Regional Library is once again participating in National Canadian Film Day on April 20th.   What is that, you say? Well, the organizers at REEL CANADA say this:

 
“April 20, 2016, is National Canadian Film Day, a day to throw off the shackles of fear and insecurity, stand together with Canadians from coast to coast and pat ourselves on the back for something other than various ice-related sports and sports-related doughnut shops (not that we don’t love ice-related sports and doughnuts). It’s a light-hearted intervention for our national consciousness, a wake-up call to anyone who has not yet been exposed to the great cinematic stories we tell one another in this cold, vast country.  It’s a way to get over ourselves and have some FUN!”


Thanks to REEL Canada, our library has public performance rights to show these four Canadian films on April 20th. 

 
 
 
Plan to join us at one (or two!) of the following locations.

 
Dr. Frank W. Morse Memorial Library in Lawrencetown – screening One Week at 2:00 p.m.
Murdoch C. Smith Memorial Library in Port Williams – screening The Whale at 2:00 p.m.
Windsor Regional Library – screening Gunless at 6:00 pm
Rosa M. Harvey Middleton & Area Library – screening New Waterford Girl at 6:30 pm
    
Check at your local branch library or in the online catalogue for great Canadian film titles you can watch at home.

 

Monday 4 April 2016

Show the love for your car!!



 April is National Car Care Month. What are you doing to show your vehicle some love?


Chilton has been helping people maintain and fix cars for decades, pretty much setting the standard for do-it-yourself car repair.  They incorporated in 1904 as Chilton Company of Pennsylvania.

Years ago, when you left your car at the shop, you’d often see these really thick and heavy volumes laying around on a shelf or a bench.  The black fingerprints indicated they were referred to regularly.    These books are published specifically for the make of car and year, both for North American models and imports.  Their graphics and step-by-step guides make for accurate and effective diagnostics and repair procedures. 

 That was then.  This is now.  Chilton also has an online database -- ChiltonLibrary -- to which our library subscribes.   You need only a library card to use it for free!   There’s a link on the bottom right side of our web page.

ChiltonLibrary is SO easy to use.   You type in the year, the make, and the model, and off you go.   They provide easy print screens that include the graphic shots which can be enlarged to suit your needs.   It also keeps an up-to-date list of any recalls or bulletins. 

 If you are already a do-it-yourselfer, or want to be one,  ChiltonLibrary is there to help you.  If you own a car that never needs repairs, please tell someone else about this very useful online tool. 

Your library card is Free and that’s all you need to access ChiltonLibrary.  Get your library card today!