Library offers magical moments in February

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

To atone for programming visibly absent last February, the Strathmore Municipal Library is pulling out all the stops and upping the ante with new initiatives and additional fun for when the younger generation receive a break from school.
Entrenching their unofficial mandate of providing programming for children when out of school, the library is launching new programming from Feb. 16 – 20 during teacher’s convention week and February long weekend.
The programs include a magic show, building a monumental igloo from milk jugs, animal-themed crafts and games, and finishing with a Friday fun film.
“When it comes to our programs, we’re always trying to be inventive and creative and come up with different things that kids can do,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director to library services at the Strathmore Municipal Library.
“We’ve done ‘Get Your Game on’ many times where we opened up the room with board games. But it’s always the same thing. We didn’t do anything last year, and we want to keep raising the bar and making our programs and the library more fun for the community.”
By forging ahead with their proposed plans, the library is welcoming, for the first time, magician Christopher Cool, known for his jokes and kid-friendly shows, on Feb. 16. As it’s expected to be a popular event, community members are urged to attend the free 45-minute show as early as possible, around 1:30, to secure a seat.
“We’ve never done a magic show, at least in the five years that I’ve been here, and we wanted to do something unique,” Erison said.
“It’s great because the town council has been so wonderful to us and increasing our funding, that we’ve been able to put a little additional money into our programming budget this year to be able to afford to hire performers like this. Kids love magicians, adults love magicians, you can’t go wrong with a magician.”
The following day, the library embarks upon creating a large igloo from 400 four-litre milk jugs. While the staff have accumulated 40 jugs so far, a bin at the library is available for the community to donate more of the plastic items. Weather permitting, the igloo is expected to be constructed outside, but will be moved to the meeting room if a cold front is expected. The project will later serve as a miniature fundraiser, when the jugs are being recycled, with funds being allocated to future programs.
Then on Feb. 18, children have a chance to join the staff for a fun-filled afternoon animal party. The participants collect stamps after visiting a variety of animal-themed stations, where they will engage in crafts and games, and use their stamps to enter for a chance to win a $30 gift card of their choice.
To finish off the week, the library is hosting the Friday Fun Film, featuring a PG movie.
The community is reminded that children under eight years of age need to be accompanied by an adult. All programs are free to attend.
The Magic Show with Christopher Cool begins at 2 p.m. on Feb. 16. Just Build It: Igloo Edition takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 17. The following day, on Feb. 18, the library will feature Go Wild at the Library from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and showcase their Friday Fun Film event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 19. For more information visit www.strathmorelibrary.ca.