Spring time and elections are becoming synonymous with Canada. We do not get to decide when the snow will finally go away but we do get to decide who is elected to the parliament. Exercise your democratic right by voting on Monday, May 2. Check out our website at http://spl.prl.ab.ca for links to election information such as the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP’s websites. Vote!
Spring also means gardening and we are pleased to have gardening experts from Echoglen Gardens and the Community Gardens at the library on Saturday, April 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome and do not forget to come with questions because the experts will be available to answer them. The library also has an extensive gardening collection that you will want to browse as well.
The Stettler Public Library is more than books and to demonstrate that, we are excited to debut our new program for children called Fitapalooza. Starting Tuesday, May 3 at 4 p.m., CJ Oprea will be leading kids in the weekly half hour after school-move-your-body-in-the-library program. The library offers after-school programming for the gamers, crafters, out-of-towners and now the movers and shakers.
Thanks to a donation from the Stettler Kinettes, the library has a Sony eReader that is available for you to sign out and give a try. NetLibrary, the library’s online e-book and audiobook catalogue, has hundreds of titles available to you 24/7. All you need is a library card and the books are available even when the library isn’t open. If you are interested in trying the library’s eReader, call 403-742-2292 and we will put you on the reserve list.
Are you looking for something to do with your toddler? The library offers early literacy programming for children newborn to preschool ages and their parents three times a week. “Read and Rhyme Play Time” takes place on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon. If afternoons work better for your schedule, Itsy Bitsy Yoga runs on Wednesday afternoons from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. Registration is not needed and we would love to see you at the library.
Karen Olafson, a registered dietician, is presenting an infant nutrition and baby food class at the library on Tuesday, May 10 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. You don’t need to bring anything but your baby and yourselves and Karen will teach you about what foods are best for your child and how to prepare them.
Justin Bieber is coming to the Stettler Public Library on Tuesday, May 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; not actually in person but we will be showing the Justin Bieber movie Never Say Never. Bring your own snack and your singing voice so that you can join in with the Biebs while he sings. Tuesday Movie Night will be back on May 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Gnomeo and Juliet. Come with the whole family and enjoy the movies.
The following books are available for the library’s two book clubs, Brain Candy Book Club and Reader’s Circle: “Deeper than the Dead” by Tami Hoag is the Brain Candy’s next pick and will be up for discussion on Tuesday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. Reader’s Circle will meet on Thursday, May 5 to talk about “The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga. There are lots of copies available of each book, so don’t hesitate to join us.
Our summer students will be joining the library staff soon and we are excited to have the talents of Sean, Patty and Bobbi enhancing the library for the summer. With the summer staff comes news about this year’s summer reading program theme. Splash! Is the 2011 summer program theme and we are looking forward to offering a wonderful program for all ages including a teen reading program. Watch this column and our website (http://spl.prl.ab.ca) for information as it becomes available.
The library will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday so that our staff can enjoy the holiday. We will be open regular hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on Saturday.