Celebrate your library this October for Canadian Library Month

Wyoming, ON – This October, Lambton County Library is celebrating Canadian Library Month and Ontario Public Library Week, a time to celebrate the valuable role libraries play in Canadians’ lives.

More than just books, libraries provide a valuable service to the community as meeting places, spaces to participate in programs and educational opportunities, supporting early learning and improved literacy and encouraging freedom of expression by providing a balanced collection and equal access to information.

To mark the occasion, Lambton County Library is launching the Love Your Library Scavenger Hunt, facilitated through a new online service named Beanstack, that provides library participants with tools to track their progress while participating in library challenges.

“The Love Your Library Scavenger Hunt will showcase the free programs and services available to cardholders and is available for patrons of all ages,” said Emily Bisson, Community Engagement/Communications Supervisor for the Cultural Services Division. “Participants completing the challenge have a chance to win a prize of their choice, and be entered in a draw to win the grand prize of a $100.00 Amazon gift card.”

The Beanstack online service allows users to register multiple family members under one account, allowing the whole family to participate. To learn more about Beanstack and to register for the Love Your Library Scavenger Hunt, visit Beanstack.

During Ontario Public Library Week, which runs from October 16 – 22, library visitors can enjoy free treats and various programs throughout Lambton County, including the opening of an exhibition about public libraries in partnership with Lambton County Archives and a Book Character Dress Up Day.

On Thursday, October 20, Lambton County Archives will open an exhibit on the second floor of Sarnia Library featuring the history of public libraries in Lambton County dating back to the 1820s. Panels highlighting the history of specific libraries will also be installed at the following libraries during the last two weeks of October: Alvinston, Corunna, Florence, Forest, Petrolia, Point Edward, Thedford, and Wyoming.

On Saturday, October 22, kids are encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character and visit the Sarnia Library from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for Book Character Dress Up Day. The day will also feature free face painting by The Painted Cat, a story time, a greenscreen with various photo backgrounds, crafts, and treats.

Other programs taking place throughout Ontario Public Library Week include:

• Adult DIY – Everlasting Bouquet
  Monday, October 17 – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Shetland Library
  Upcycle old book pages into a unique floral décor piece that will never wilt.
• Kids' DIY - Pom Pom Spider
  Tuesday, October 18 - 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Mallroad Library
  Listen to a spooky story and then create itsy-bitsy spiders that are perfect to scare friends or family with!
• Explore with Coding – Ozobots
  Thursday, October 20 – 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. - Thedford Library
  Using Ozobots, which are small robots, learn to code without screens and understand the language of codes. The program will incorporate elements of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics).
• Afterschool Kids’ Club – Libraries
  Wednesday, October 19 – 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. – Grand Bend Library
  Learn what it is like to work as a librarian in a public library. Ask questions and hear stories from a Community Librarian, and work collaboratively to design and create a bulletin board display for the library.
• Makerspace – Sewing Machine Training Workshop
  Thursday, October 20 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Petrolia Library
  Become trained on the Janome Model 5060 QDC computerized sewing machine which is ideal for beginners and advanced users alike and comes pre-programmed with 24 different types of stitches and a computerized screen that allows users to easily select their own stitching. The sewing machine can be reserved once users have completed this training workshop.
• Teen Game Night - EXIT: Escape Room - Dead Man on the Orient Express
  Friday, October 21- 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Alvinston Library
  Use team spirit, creativity, and powers of deduction to crack codes, solve puzzles, collect objects, and earn escape!
• Adult DIY - Knotted Jewelry
  Friday, October 21 - 6:00 - 7:00pm - Brigden Library
  Design a necklace and bracelet using a simple jewelry making method.

A full list of programs can be found at lclibrary.ca/calendar. To become a Lambton County Library cardholder, visit any library during opening hours. For more information on locations, services and hours of operation visit lclibrary.ca.

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