Walkerton Branch Library Art Gallery will be featuring works by Artist Audrey Holrod  from May 16th to June 15th during the following  hours: Thurs 1 – 8, Fri 1 – 5 and Sat 10 – 2.

The public is also invited to attend the Opening Reception for the show on May 15th at 7:00 PM. at the Walkerton Branch Library, 253 Durham Street, Walkerton Ontario.

 The winning entries, as chosen by this year’s judges, will receive cash prizes and have their work published in the Write for 2012 anthology.  Check out previous years’ copies of the Write for anthology at your public library. 

 An awards ceremony and reading of the winning entries will be held at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library on Monday, June 13.  In addition to this, the first place winning poems and short stories will be published in The Sun Times. 

 Submissions are also needed for the cover design of the 2012 anthology.  The artist responsible for the winning design will receive a $100 cash prize.  Designs must fit on an 8.5” x 11” piece of paper and include the words “Write for 2012”.

 Contest guidelines can be picked up at your local public library or downloaded from the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library’s website: www.owensound.library.on.ca.  Submissions must be emailed to Nadia Danyluk, at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library no later than May 13, 2012.

 This event is coordinated by the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, and is enabled through the participation and sponsorship of The Sun Times, The United Way of Bruce Grey, the Centre culturel du Jardin découvertes, Bruce County Public Library, Grey Highlands Public Library, Hanover Public Library, Meaford Public Library and West Grey Public Library.  For more information or to submit please contact Nadia Danyluk at ndanyluk@gmail.com, or phone 519-376-6623 ext. 4.   

Write @ Your Library Rules and Guidelines 2012

For more information contact:  
Nadia Danyluk
Children & Youth Services Librarian
Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library
Tel: 519 376-6623 ext 4
Fax: 519 376-7170
Email: ndanyluk@owensound.library.on.ca 

Tara Branch Library Open Hours

Monday  Closed
Tuesday  12 am – 6 pm
Wednesday12 noon - 5 pm
Thursday  10 am – 2 pm
Friday  12 noon - 6 pm
Saturday  10 am – 1 pm
Sunday    Closed

For additional information, please contact:
Ken MacLeod, Director, Bruce County Public Library
Tel: 519 832 6935   
Email: kmacleod@brucecounty.on.ca

On April 14, 2011, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture announced a $1.9 million investment for recipients of a Public Library Operating Grant. 

In his letter to library boards, Minister Chan stated that libraries face “increasing demand for services and meeting the needs of diverse communities, businesses and entrepreneurs among others”.  *
“The McGuinty government recognizes the immeasurable impact that public libraries have on making our communities socially and economically stronger. We value the great work that you do – as important partners in promoting literacy and life-long learning and creating an environment where Ontarians feel welcome and connected. In recognition of your important contributions, the province is providing $1.9 million to public libraries in support of your efforts to build collections and programs that strengthen community services.” *

This generous investment in public libraries was administered by SOLS (Southern Ontario Library Service), in collaboration with Ontario Library Service-North.

Bruce County Public Library Director, Ken MacLeod commented, “This grant has greatly assisted us in our effort to create a modern library experience and appeal to the new generation of library users, those who primarily use our online resources.”

These increasingly popular electronic resources are made available through the Bruce County Public Library website library.brucecounty.on.ca via the Ontario Library Service Download Centre downloadcentre.library.on.ca  powered by Overdrive, a digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital content. 

*  information and quote from Southern Ontario Library Service website http://www.sols.org/ministryprojects/capacitybuilding/

 For additional information, please contact:
Ken MacLeod, Director, Bruce County Public Library
Tel: 519 832 6935   
Email: kmacleod@brucecounty.on.ca

Bruce County Public Library…..we’re more than just books!

As a result of the upcoming renovations, the Walkerton Branch Library will be thrilled to offer their patrons a beautiful new children’s area, new shelving, furniture and a fully accessible and upgraded Circulation area.

Branch Supervisor, Tracey Knapp commented, “The redesigned Circulation Desk area will allow staff to more quickly and effectively serve Walkerton Branch patrons. The new Children’s area we know will also please our youngest members and their families”.

These renovations are part of the Bruce County Public Library’s effort to continually improve and update our services. Please visit our website library.brucecounty.on.ca to access our catalogue, downloadable e-books, audiobooks and other electronic resources.

The Walkerton renovations are possible due in part to a grant of $39,000 received by the Municipality of Brockton from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, works with others to make strategic investments to build healthy, caring and economically strong Ontario communities. Grants are awarded to fund capital, operating and/or specific project costs in support of arts and culture, the environment, human and social services, and sports and recreation.

For additional information, please contact:
Ken MacLeod, Director, Bruce County Public Library
Tel: 519 832 6935    Email: kmacleod@brucecounty.on.ca

Bruce County Public Library…..we’re more than just books!
Visit our website at library.brucecounty.on.ca

Two Public Library Leaders Conferred as Federation’s 1st Honorary Members

 At its Annual General Meeting on February 1, 2012, the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries conferred a lifetime designation of Honorary Member on two individuals in recognition of their longstanding service to the organization. This is the first time in the Federation’s history that the Board of Directors has conferred the title of Honorary Member.

“Our bylaws allow the Board to give honorary membership to individuals who over many years have been instrumental in advancing the strategic direction, projects and organization of the Federation, and whose sound judgement, strategic acumen and cohesive leadership are respected by their colleagues,” said Board Chair Jim Bennett.

Barbara Clubb, former CEO of Ottawa Public Library, is one recipient. Her contribution to the Federation includes influencing the advocacy agenda and gaining member support for proposed changes to the funding model for provincial operating grants. Barbara also spoke on behalf of the Federation at such high profile events as the annual convention of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. In addition, she served as inspiring mentor to various Federation eaders on an ongoing basis, and ensured her library provided generous gifts-in-kind to support the Federation’s operations.

The other recipient is Marzio Apolloni, retiring CEO of Bruce County Library. Marzio has been a passionate advocate for the value of public libraries in connecting people to their communities and fostering life-long learning. He served on the Federation’s Board of Directors since its inception in 2005. As Board Chair from 2008 to 2010, a critical formative period for the organization, Marzio oversaw many advances in raising the Federation’s profile with the provincial government, and in building the case to support public libraries. During his tenure, membership in the Federation rose by 19%.

“We congratulate Barbara and Marzio on becoming Honorary Members and we look forward to benefitting from their continued association with the Federation as volunteers and advisors well into their retirements,” said Jim Bennett.

The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries is a not-for-profit membership association that provides a single, strong voice for public libraries in Ontario to enhance library policies and programs. Its services focus on four strategic pillars: advocacy, marketing, research and consortia purchasing. The Federation’s 215 member libraries are responsible for serving 80% of Ontario’s population.

The Walkerton Branch Library has announced this year’s dates for their Annual Juried Art Show. This exciting juried exhibition is open to residents of the Municipalities of Brockton, South Bruce, West Grey, Hanover and Arran Elderslie and gives local artists the opportunity to show their work and compete for prizes.  The show will run from Wednesday April 18, 2012 until Saturday April 28, 2012 with the Awards Ceremony set for Tuesday April 17th, 7:30 pm at the Walkerton Library Gallery.  Prizes will be given in the following categories; Painting – oil or acrylic; Painting – watercolour; Drawing – pencil, charcoal, pen and ink or pastels; 3-Dimensional – sculpture (this catagory also includes stained glass); Photography- film or digital, printed on photography paper; Mixed Medium – includes collage and printmaking;   Youth – under 18, using any medium; and a special new catagory  – The Challenge.          
Entries must be submitted by hand on Friday March 30th, 3:00 - 6:00 pm or Saturday March 31st, 11 am – 2 pm, to the Walkerton Library Gallery, Lower Level, 253 Durham St., Walkerton, Ontario.

For further information, call Walkerton Branch Library at 519 881 3240 or click on the following link.
 Walkerton Library Juried Art Show 2012 Entry Form

 Attention young filmmakers!  Public libraries across Grey and Bruce Counties are seeking submissions of films to be screened at Galaxy Cinemas in Owen Sound for the Grey Bruce Youth Film Festival.

Short animated or live action films of a maximum of 10 minutes in length from students enrolled in grades 7 through 12 may be submitted.  Interested teens can pick up an application form from their public library or download the form below or from the Teen Buzz section of the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library’s website: www.owensound.library.on.ca.  Deadline for submissions is February 12, 2012.

Selected films will be shown at a festival screening to take place at the Galaxy Cinema in Owen Sound on March 26, 2012 starting at 5:30 pm.  Winners will be selected by a panel of industry judges and announced during the screening.  Winners of the Grey Bruce Youth Film festival are awarded cash prizes.

This event is coordinated by the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, and is enabled through the participation and sponsorship of Galaxy Cinemas, The United Way of Bruce Grey, Bruce County Public Library, Grey Highlands Public Library, Hanover Public Library, Meaford Public Library and West Grey Public Library.

For more information about the Grey Bruce Youth Film Festival please contact Nadia Danyluk, Children & Youth Services Librarian at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library at 519-376-6623 ext. 4 or ndanyluk@gmail.com.

GBYFF Guidelines and Application

Apolloni has long been an advocate of rural libraries and worked through different organizations in which he took a leadership role. For 2 years he was the Chair of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries as well as a representative of the Rural Caucus on the Federation’s Board of Directors. As well he served as President for 3 consecutive terms on the Ontario Library Consortium, a collective organization whose goal is to bring cutting edge library automation technology to rural libraries, and served in other positions on the executive. During his tenure with Bruce County Public Library, he has lobbied and advocated for rural libraries continuously, resulting in significant funding for rural libraries over the past 5 years.

Mr. Apolloni has indicated that while he may be in retirement, he has asked the Board to keep him in mind should an opportunity arise for a representative to voice the needs of rural libraries in Ontario. Meanwhile, he can be found fishing, working with groups in his community, and using his local library branch.