Author: Lindsay Moffatt

As the solar eclipse approaches, Bruce County Public Library is pleased to announce that they will be distributing solar glasses adhering to the ISO 12312-2 standards outlined by the Ministry of Health in Ontario.

Beginning Tuesday, April 2, pick up a pair of eclipse glasses at any BCPL branch or the Bookmobile, while supplies last. You must show a valid BCPL card and be over 14 years old to claim. There is a maximum of two pairs of glasses per household.

Are you looking for a safe viewing alternative?  The Chesley and Port Elgin Branches will host live stream events of the solar eclipse on the day of, starting at 2:30pm. These events provide Bruce County residents with a safe and enjoyable substitute to experience the eclipse together.

BCPL will also be offering a selection of programs leading up to the solar eclipse. Among these are PA Day programs tailored to ages 5-12 that will provide fun and educational experiences for young patrons. You can visit the Library events calendar on their website to find out when a solar eclipse program is happening at your local Branch.

‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are thrilled to be able to provide our patrons with the means to safely participate. By offering solar glasses and organizing programs and viewing events, we hope to make the solar eclipse a memorable experience for everyone involved,’ said Library Director, Brooke Mclean.

These glasses provide essential eye protection during solar events and should be used following the guidelines printed on the arm of the glasses. It is important to always inspect the glasses for any damage, scratches, or defects before using them, to ensure maximum safety. Some safety points to consider when viewing the solar eclipse are to never look directly at the eclipse and to remember regular sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection. When using solar glasses, ensure you are using them for all phases of the eclipse to avoid eye damage.

If you would like more information on how to remain safe while enjoying the eclipse, please visit the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada website at www.rasc.ca.

Bruce County Public Library is committed to its role as a trusted community connector, digital community facilitator and community sharing place. Consisting of 17 Branches and a Bookmobile BCPL provides access to information, resources, and programs throughout Bruce County.

Following a wildly successful first year, Bruce County Public Library is excited for the return of its Seed Library program. Starting Tuesday, April 2, Seed Libraries will be available in nine Branches, as well as the Bookmobile. Last year, over 600 seed packages were distributed throughout Bruce County, meeting the library’s goal of helping foster a culture of sustainable gardening. 

After an overwhelming response, BCPL expanded the program with the addition of the Ripley Branch and Bookmobile locations, ensuring even more patrons could access the resources needed to create their gardens. The Seed Libraries depend on sponsorships and seed donations to run, and having multiple seed sources has led to a diverse range of seeds available, from herbs to fruits and vegetables and various flowers. 

Seed Libraries can be found at the following BCPL Branches:
Chesley
Kincardine
Lucknow
Southampton
Teeswater
Tobermory
Walkerton
Wiarton
Ripley

Seed Libraries are growing across Canada and play an important role in promoting sustainable growing practices. By providing free seeds, BCPL supports cultivating a collection of seeds locally adapted to the region which helps preserve local Bruce County strains of plants and provides seeds that are resilient to our weather, soil, and local pests.  

Seed Libraries are free to use with your BCPL card. Getting a card is easy, and there is no charge. You can visit your local Branch to register or sign up online at getacard.brucecounty.on.ca. Donating back to the Seed Library is not a requirement, but there are labelled envelopes for patrons to return harvested seeds. 

New to gardening? BCPL also offers a large array of gardening resources within their system. Additionally, their YouTube channel hosts a collection of informative gardening videos which include interviews, and tips and tricks to help teach and inspire. 

Bruce County Public Library is committed to its role as a trusted community connector, digital community facilitator and community sharing place. Consisting of 17 Branches and a Bookmobile BCPL provides access to information, resources, and programs throughout Bruce County.

Bruce County Public Library is excited to announce that it will be undertaking a comprehensive review of its programming offerings and is reaching out to the community for input. As part of this initiative, BCPL has launched online and in-person surveys to gather feedback from residents and patrons. Survey responses will be collected until the end of March.

The programming review aims to enhance BCPL services and ensure they align with the interests and needs of the community. By gathering input directly from those who currently wish to use or are already utilizing the Library’s resources, they hope to shape future programming to serve their diverse communities.

The online survey will be available through the Library website, while the in-person survey can be picked up at any of their 17 Branches, and on the Bookmobile. You can also access the survey directly at www.surveymonkey.com/r/JZ99QN9. Participants will have the opportunity to share their preferences, suggestions, and ideas. Together, we can create a vibrant and inclusive library experience for everyone.

Bruce County Public Library is committed to its role as a trusted community connector, digital community facilitator and community sharing place. Consisting of 17 Branches and a Bookmobile BCPL provides access to information, resources, and programs throughout Bruce County.

This March Break, Bruce County Public Library invites you to dive into the excitement with their ‘Just Beach’ themed programs running in all 17 Branches. Each Branch will host one or more engaging staff led, beach themed programs to have you dreaming about warmer days. Each program will include a range of interactive activities, including games, storytelling and writing, songs, crafts and more.

In addition to these programs, BCPL is excited to announce special guests all week. Thursday, March 14, Magician Scott Dietrich will bring the magic to the Teeswater Town Hall. Then on Friday, March 15, The Little Mermaid will visit the Kincardine Branch for two meet and greet events. Registration is required to meet the Little Mermaid and can be done by contacting the Kincardine Branch directly by phone or email. Library favourite Scientists in Schools will be hosting three hands on science activities in Teeswater, Mildmay and Walkerton. To ensure there will be enough supplies, registration will be required for these programs.

Library programs are always free. Families are encouraged to visit the BCPL website’s event calendar or stop by their local Branch for a complete schedule of March Break programs and special guests. Branches will continue running Story Times, teen and tween clubs, book clubs, adult programming, and so much more during March Break. You can learn about 3D Printers at Chesley, Port Elgin and Teeswater Branches, or try a Cricut craft in Lucknow, Mildmay, Sauble Beach and Southampton Branches. With all the fun to be had you will find something for everyone.

Bruce County Public Library is pleased to announce that they will start booking appointments for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) on Tuesday, February 20. This program is designed to assist low to moderate-income individuals and families with simple tax returns. 

Tax clinics will run from March through the end of April, and with four Branches to choose from including Port Elgin, Walkerton, Chesley and Kincardine, there are ample appointments available. To book your appointment and receive full details on required documentation, interested participants are encouraged to contact the Branch they wish to attend.

BCPL extends its heartfelt gratitude to the community members who responded to their call for volunteers. Their support ensured the continuation of this vital program. In 2023, their dedicated volunteers assisted 259 individuals and families in filing their income tax returns, highlighting the significant impact of this program on our community. 

“I am deeply appreciative of the overwhelming response from our community members who have offered to volunteer their time to offer this much-needed tax program at BCPL. These clinics reflect our commitment to providing services that directly impact the well-being of our community members,” said Library Board Chair Mark Goetz. 

Other CVITP clinics can be found by calling 211 or visiting https://brucegreycommunityinfo.cioc.ca/record/GRE0364.

Bruce County Public Library is looking to spread the love this Valentine’s season with the return of Valentines for Seniors at all 17 of its Branches. Since its inception in 2022, Valentines for Seniors has delivered over 1,000 cards to local seniors. This program speaks to the heart of the community and continues to grow and receive local attention online and in person.

Patrons can stop into their local Branch and pick up a bag of supplies, create heartfelt valentines, and return to their Branch by the date marked on their supply bag. Library staff will ensure that these tokens of affection are delivered to seniors in local long-term care homes. Additionally, select Branches will incorporate valentine-making into their programs in late January and early February, including Adult Connect and Create, After School drop-in and Cricut programs. You can visit their Online Calendar to find out when your Branch is hosting Valentines for Seniors programs. 

“Valentines for Seniors embodies the power of community connections. These heartfelt cards not only bring joy to seniors but also serve as a reminder of the warmth and compassion within our communities. This small gesture can have a major impact that Bruce County Public Library is proud to be a part of,” says Library Director Brooke McLean.

2023 saw over 700 Valentines delivered to long-care homes throughout Bruce County. We invite all our patrons to make 2024 a year of compassion as we deliver Valentines and messages of kindness to brighten the days of our beloved seniors.

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is returning to Bruce County Public Library’s Chesley, Port Elgin, Walkerton, and Kincardine Branches and is currently seeking dedicated individuals to join as volunteers.  

This program assists those with low to modest incomes to receive access to monetary support through filing their taxes. As a CVITP volunteer, you would play a crucial role in positively impacting the financial well-being of your neighbours by helping prepare basic tax returns. No prior experience is necessary, as training will be provided. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the community, gain valuable skills and connect with fellow volunteers. 

CVITP success is volunteer dependent. Volunteers can participate as much or as little as their schedule allows. Clinics are set to start the second week of March and run until the end of April. In 2023, volunteers assisted 259 individuals and families to file their income tax returns. With your help, they can continue assisting people in 2024.

To find out more, or sign up to volunteer, you can email Bruce County Public Library at Libraryinfo@brucecounty.on.ca. To ensure the best experience possible and provide appropriate time for training, we ask that volunteers reach out by Tuesday, January 30. 

Bruce County Public Library recognizes the importance of battery disposal and preventing hazardous waste from polluting our environment. They have partnered with Raw Materials Company (RMC) to offer battery collection and recycling in all 17 Branches.

In Ontario, all battery types require proper end-of-life management. This means they must be recycled at a municipal hazardous waste depot, through an approved service provider or a retail take-back. In 2019, Raw Materials Company, with tremendous support from its dedicated collection network, recycled 50% of all the available primary batteries sold in Ontario.

The batteries recycled from Bruce County Public Library will be processed at RMC’s Port Colborne, Ontario facility using North America’s most environmentally responsible technology. Battery components are crushed and separated into various metals, minerals, plastic, and paper. 100% of each battery is reused, and no materials enter the landfill. BCPL and RMC are making it easier to dispose of household batteries properly.

Anyone in Bruce County can recycle their household batteries for free during your Branch’s regular hours. Visit our locations page to find the address, contact information and hours for your nearest Branches. To learn more about how batteries are recycled, visit www.rawmaterials.com.

Bruce County Public Library received a generous donation of $2,700 from Learning Centres: Grey Bruce Georgian to support adult literacy in Bruce County. The donation was used to purchase a collection of high-interest, low-vocabulary eBooks and age-appropriate easy reading materials for beginner and intermediate adult readers.

Adult Learning Centres: Grey Bruce Georgian offers a safe and positive learning environment for adult learners. Their services are free and are provided on-site and online. Through their centres they have recognized the distinct needs of adult readers, and with this donation, they can help in providing accessible learning materials for Library patrons in Bruce County.

This new collection was purchased through Grass Roots Press, a publisher specializing in resources for adults with limited literacy skills. Grass Roots Press offers a vast collection of novellas, biographies, and photo stories for beginning and intermediate adult readers. By providing a diverse collection of high-interest titles, Bruce County Public Library aims to entertain and spark interest in various genres; selecting popular themes can help foster a love of reading while empowering adults of all reading levels to explore different genres.

These new titles will also help to expand Bruce County Public Library’s online resources and support the communities it services. This collection is free to all BCPL patrons with an active BCPL Library card. These titles can be accessed through Overdrive at https://bit.ly/46cg7AH.