| | Tie a Ribbon Monday, September 30 (L.E. Shore Library) We invite our community to tie ribbons in front of the L.E. Shore Library and on the back deck of Craigleith Heritage Depot on September 30th. In solidarity with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities across Turtle Island, we honour the memory of children who were found and those yet to be discovered at residential schools in Canada. A selection of ribbons will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own. | | | | Wawahte Documentary Screening Monday, September 30 at 3pm
(L.E. Shore Library) Join us in honouring the children who never returned home and the survivors of the residential school system on National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. This hour-long film documentary is a powerful and accessible presentation combining archival images with elements from the Wawahte audiobook. RSVP for Wawahte | | | | | Poetry Reading with
D.A. Lockhart Saturday, September 14 at 2pm
(L.E. Shore Library) Join us for a captivating afternoon with Trillium Award-nominated poet D.A. Lockhart as he presents his latest collection, the acclaimed North of Middle Island. In it he explores the contemporary Indigenous experience in the natural and built environments of Pelee Island. RSVP for Poetry Reading | | | | Story Time Friday, September 27 at 11am
(L.E. Shore Library) A special edition of Story Time. Jen will introduce a world of wonder with children's picture books by Indigenous authors. Discover vibrant stories, rich with culture and tradition. Perfect for kids and families looking to explore diverse perspectives and celebrate Indigenous storytelling! Drop-in. Ages 0-5 years. Older siblings welcome. | | | Staff Picks: Indigenous Reads Our latest Staff Picks are books by Indigenous authors that offer powerful stories and perspectives. Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel
Set in 1657, this captivating novel follows Marie, a skilled healer from the Deer Clan, who is compelled to marry a French soldier despite her reluctance. As her people face threats from disease, starvation, and conflict, Marie sacrifices her freedom for their survival. Years later in 1675, her daughter Jeanne, caught between her Algonquin and French heritage, grapples with her identity and forbidden love for another woman. While revered as two-spirited among her mother's people, Jeanne faces condemnation and danger in New France. This powerful story of survival and identity is a must-read. - Jennifer D. See more Indigenous Reads
| | Community Assist Days Wednesday, September 11 at 2pm (L.E. Shore Library) Local community services and organizations will have information booths set-up for you to make connections, gather resources and information to better assist you. TBM may not have all the community services locally, so we are bringing them to you! Organizations range from government services, housing, public health programs, mental health supports, recreation, legal clinics, shelters and more. Come and chat and learn about community assist organizations that can help you. Recurring monthly. | | Ditch the Screens! Childhood Unplugged Thursday, September 12 from 6-7pm (L.E. Shore Library) Southern Georgian Bay author, Katherine Martinko, will talk about the importance of reclaiming childhood from devices and how to go about implementing a digital minimalist philosophy in your home with kids of all ages. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A, where listeners can ask questions and share their own experiences. RSVP for Childhood Unplugged | | | | Apple Fun Fair Tuesday, September 24 at 3:30pm
(L.E. Shore Library) September means shorter days, back-to-school excitement, changing leaves, and apple harvest time. Get ready for our Apple Fun Fair where we’ll have a variety of activities including craft tables, face painting, and of course, plenty of apples to enjoy! This is a drop-in program, so no registration is required. We will see you there! | | | | Kids Can Cook: Pickling Saturday, September 28 at 11am
(L.E. Shore Library) This fun culinary program introduces easy snack and meal preparation to children. In our September session, we will learn how to make quick-pickled cucumbers. Refrigerator pickling is both fun and easy. Register now to make your own delicious pickles! Register for Kids Can Cook: Pickling | | | Celebrate Author Dorris Heffron's Final Novel and her 80th birthday! Thursday, October 8 from 7-8:30pm (L.E. Shore Library) Join us for an evening of celebration with internationally acclaimed local author Dorris Heffron, introduced by Deena Dolan. This event marks the launch of Dorris’s final novel and the celebration of her 80th birthday. Dorris will do a brief author talk and reading, inviting you to comment, question, and cross-question. Copies of her new book, Bear with Me, will be available for purchase. Wine and birthday squares will be served. RSVP for Dorris Heffron | | Uncover prehistoric secrets with fossils Sunday, September 1 from 2-4pm (Craigleith Heritage Depot) A thrilling fossil discovery event on Sunday, September 1st from 2pm to 4pm at the Craigleith Heritage Depot. Get ready to become a paleontologist for the day as you crack open fossils that are over 250 million years old! This is a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of prehistoric life and make incredible discoveries. This program is full but please send us an email to secure your place on the wait list for this exciting event! Email for Fossils wait list | | Share your stories and let's build our Cultural Map together Tuesday, September 24 from 10am-12pm (L.E. Shore Library)
Tuesday, October 1 from 10am-12pm (L.E. Shore Library) Calling all local history buffs, architecture aficionados, and culture lovers! We're mapping our community's heart and soul. Share your stories and let's build an interactive cultural map together. Join museum staff at L.E.. Shore Library on September 24th and October 1st from 10am – 12pm. Unveil the tapestry of The Blue Mountains cultural landscape with our ever-evolving digital map. Explore a world of hidden gems, vibrant arts, and rich history. We're thrilled to announce 5 exciting new additions to our map, showcasing the community’s history. From the Craigleith Lilacs to William Weir’s Hotel, there's something for everyone. Learn even more at Local History: Our Communities on October 19th, 11am at L.E. Shore Library. Our map is a living document, constantly evolving to reflect the areas dynamic character. Visit every month to uncover fresh perspectives, new events, and emerging talents. Visit the Cultural Map | | Join our network of Community Builders This network of volunteers will share their unique skills and talents with people who are looking to learn from you. Community Builders can teach others environmental skills, financial skills, music & art skills, homemaking skills, trade skills, home maintenance skills, computer & technology skills, employable skills, or education topics. Those interested in learning a skill can let us know, and we’ll match you with someone in your community who is wanting to help you learn. This volunteer program is all about neighbours helping neighbours in the library. Become a Community Builder today | | Wired Wednesdays are back! At 1pm every Wednesday, Ashley posts an instructional video to YouTube and Facebook. Here are the topics for September: September 4: The Blue Mountains Cultural Map
September 11: Binge on a Budget: Free Movie & TV Apps
September 18: Stay Connected Without Coverage with Wifi Calling
September 25: Read and Listen on the Go: Libby Ashley will be available in the L.E. Shore Library boardroom from 2-4pm for 15-minute drop-in sessions to assist with minor tech issues. For more complex problems that may require additional time, book a 1-hour tech help appointment. Watch Wired Wednesday on YouTube
| | September in the Gallery:
Horizons opens August 31 Opening reception: Saturday, August 31 from
2-4pm in the Gallery at L.E. Shore Library Whether it’s a farmer’s field stretching into the distance, a vast apple orchard or the shimmering waters of Georgian Bay, this is a place of big skies and far horizons. Five painters, Dorothy Embacher, Michelle Languedoc Fleming, Brian Fray, Dean Raeburn-Bell and Paula Rivers have all been captivated and inspired by this beautiful area and have come together to share their visions. See our website for more details. | | ACC Presents: The Kayapo Story with Barbara Zimmerman Thursday, September 26 from 7-8pm in the Gallery at L.E. Shore Library The Arts & Culture Council for the Gallery at L.E. Shore is pleased to present Barbara Zimmerman and the Kayapo Story: Large Scale Amazon Forest Conservation with Indigenous Peoples. After completing her MSc and PhD in tropical ecology, Barbara Zimmerman became involved with the struggle of the Kayapo Indigenous people of the Brazilian Amazon to defend their traditional territory in the face of the rapidly advancing frontier. RSVP for Barbara Zimmerman | | Share the Stage accepting applications Calling all performers! The Gallery is inviting writers, poets, comedians, and musicians to share their original stories, thoughts, and music with an audience. Performances will take place on October 18 and 19 at The Gallery at L.E. Shore. The deadline to apply is end of day September 2, 2024. If you have any questions, please feel welcome to call 519-599 3681 x142 or email TheGallery@TheBlueMountains.ca. Apply to perform | | Test your knowledge with Friday night online trivia Fill your house with laughter and glee as you answer questions and compete for the top-spot on our scoreboard. Not available on Friday nights? Don't worry! You'll be able to play Trivia Game Night throughout the week. Visit our Event Calendar or Facebook page on Fridays for the link. September 6: Beaver Valley Fall Fair
September 13: Guess the Book by the Emojis
September 20: Sign Language
September 27: Historical Fashion Trends Visit our Event Calendar | | Public Engagement for the MURFA has begun The Town of The Blue Mountains and Town of Collingwood have launched a public survey to gather feedback from residents in both communities and the surrounding areas regarding the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment (MURFA) project. Members of the public are encouraged to complete the survey to share details about their usage and priorities for existing library and recreational facilities, and to share what is desired for future facilities. A simplified version of the survey has also been prepared for youth in the community under the age of 18. Both surveys will be open until September 30, 2024. View the Consultation Plan & Complete the Survey | | Libraries [Re]Imagined: Libraries Support Sustainable Communities Jennifer Murley, Library CEO In July 2024, we kicked off a new blog series called 'Libraries [Re]Imagined' to inform our community about the modern library and encourage critical thinking about the BMPL's role. If you missed the first post, you can find it online. This month's theme is "Libraries Support Sustainable Communities".
Sustainability is a fundamental value in librarianship, and library workers worldwide are striving to foster thriving communities by making environmentally friendly choices. When we talk about sustainability in libraries, the first thing that comes to mind is the idea of 'recycling' books: instead of buying something just to read it once, you can borrow a book from your local library, return it for someone else to enjoy, and inadvertently reduce the use of materials for mass printing. If you enjoy it so much, you can visit your local bookstore and purchase a copy that will be well loved. If print books aren't your preference, you can access digital resources, the necessary technology, and assistance, all for free through the Library. This is sustainability in action. However, public libraries are doing much more than that. At BMPL, we offer a Library of Things collection that allows cardholders to borrow items, from iPads to blood pressure monitors to ukuleles. This is part of a 'circular economy' model, where we strive to make items last as long as possible, minimizing waste and overconsumption. We've also adopted innovative sustainability approaches from other public libraries and communities, such as creating pollinator gardens, hosting workshops with local experts, including Indigenous knowledge holders, and launching a Gardener-in-Residence program, Seed Library, and Little Libraries project. Internally, we've prioritized eco-conscious practices, finding ways to recycle or repurpose materials for craft programs, minimizing plastic waste at library events, digitizing records, and collections, and collaborating with the Municipality to explore Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) facility enhancements and opportunities. As a community hub, we seek ways to promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, always in the context of Truth and Reconciliation. With this post, we aim to raise awareness about our existing initiatives and how you can contribute to building a greener Town of The Blue Mountains: Get a Library Card Check out the Library of Things Learn about TBM’s Little Free Libraries Get to Know TBM’s Master Gardeners Discover the Indigenous Climate Hub Learn About the Youth Climate Action Fund Read The Blue Mountains Future Story: Community Sustainability Plan Work with the Climate Action Now Network Read Grey County’s Climate Action Plan: Going Green in Grey | | Museum off-season hours begin September 2 Starting September 2nd, the Craigleith Heritage Depot will be transitioning to our off-season hours. We will be open Thursday – Sunday. We look forward to welcoming you during our new hours! Thursday & Friday: 12-5pm
Saturday: 10am-4pm
Sunday: 12-4pm L.E.Shore Library will be closed on Monday, September 2 for Labour Day. See our Hours and Locations | | | | | |
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