February at the library
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
Membership is up at the Strathmore Municipal Library, a fact that isn’t surprising considering all of the events that happen there. Each and every month the library offers new, and old, programs for its patrons free of charge. The month of February is no different.
From Feb. 1 to 26 discover the exhibit Sweet’n’Condensed: tiny tales of wit, wisdom and wonder.
“It is by far one of the more brightest, more fun, cute art exhibits we have had in a very long time. The premise of this art exhibit is the artist is creating the pictures based on text by writers,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director of library services.
The text is what really shows you why and how the artist interpreted and created what she did. The exhibit consists of print art and ceramics, which are also hand painted according to text taken from books.
“It is such a neat exhibit that we just felt we had to share it throughout the entire library. It is by far one of my favourites,” said Erison.
Throughout the month of February, Blind Date with a Book is being offered. It’s a fun, new program designed to get you out of your reading comfort zone.
“We have taken a selection of books from all levels of reading, call them unloved books that have very poor circulation, or haven’t circulated at all. They are great, wonderful books, some of them even award winners,” said Erison.
The books are wrapped in plain red paper and each has its own ‘dating profile’ written on it. Just check out the book, take it home and see if you can find your next true book love.
The Where has your book bag been? contest is also still running. It’s two months in and so far there has only been one entry.
“The premise of this contest is while you’re travelling out and about outside of the Town of Strathmore, or Wheatland County, you take a picture if yourself and your book bag, or simply just your book bag and submit it to the library,” said Erison.
Participants will be entered in to win one of three prizes; the first is a $100 travel prize pack that will include one large item, a 32 GB Kobo. The second prize is a book prize pack valued at $30 and third place is a $20 family membership to the library. The contest ends on May 31, more details can be found at www.strathmorelibrary.ca/bookbag.
Library Olympics is happening Feb. 20 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“We wanted to do something to celebrate the Olympics at the library,” said Erison.
There will be Olympic-themed crafts and challenges for the kids to participate in.
“The library will be decorated Olympic-style and the day will consist of sort of a round robin of stations around the library, and within the meeting room, where kids of all ages can come and participate in these activities,” said Erison.
“Once you make your way around all of these stations, you hand in your passport and you will receive your own Olympic token to take home with you.”
Parents are also welcome to take in the day since the Olympics will be streamed at the library on the large screen TV.
On Feb. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the author of Raising Kids without Raising Your Voice, Sarah Chana Radcliffe, will present a realistic accessible way to lessen parenting stress and anger, strengthen parent/child relationships and more. It is being brought to the library in partnership with the Alberta Health Services community education service session. Because it is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. participants are welcome to bring their own lunch and the library will serve tea and coffee.
Also on Feb. 21, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. it’s time once again for Friday Fun Films. The library will be showing ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2’, and as with every fun films event it is free to attend, families are encouraged to bring their own snacks and beverages, and one lucky participant will get to go home with the movie.