March went out like a lamb and with April’s continued warm weather, many of you will be making plans for outdoor projects. There are books in the library to give you advice and ideas whether your project is gardening, landscaping, patio laying, or deck building. There is a display of gardening books in the lounge area and a large collection of deck and patio design books on our shelves. The library also holds several books on all sizes of outdoor wood working projects - bird houses, sheds, planters, and furniture.
The library’s Spring Book Sale will start on Tuesday, April 20 in the Community Room, in the basement of the of the library building. For $5, you can fill a grocery bag with gently-used books, DVDs, and magazines. For just a few dollars, you can pick up a stack of decorating magazines or a book that you’ve always meant to read. This is also a great opportunity for grandparents to add to book and movie collections for visiting grandchildren.
The Ontario Library Association has announced the Evergreen Award titles for 2010. The 10 books, both fiction and non-fiction and all by Canadian authors, are: Brutal Telling by Louise Penny; Burmese Lessons by Karen Connelly; Come Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant; February by Lisa Moore; Heart Specialist by Claire Holden Rothman; The Mystery of Grace by Charles de Lint; Old City Hall by Robert Rotenberg; Oonagh by Mary Tilberg; Small Beneath the Sky by Lorna Crozier; and Underground by Jane Hutton.
Adult readers of all ages register at the library and agree to read at least one of the 10 titles in order to qualify to vote at the end of October to choose the favourite in Arthur. The Arthur selection becomes a vote in the Ontario-wide choice. Of course, we encourage you to read several or all of the titles in order to make an informed decision.
This is the sixth year for this reading program and we are proud of the Arthur community’s participation. There have been more Evergreen readers in Arthur than in any other Wellington County Library branch! In 2005, there were 34 participants; in 2006, there were 36; in 2007, 44; in 2008 and in 2009, 53. We are hoping to continue to increase the number of readers.  If you would like more information on this year’s selections or if you’d like to register, just stop by the library to get the list of 2010 titles and one of the books. If you’re new to the program, ask at the circulation desk for the brochure of Evergreen titles from 2005 to 2009. It’s a great way to discover new Canadian authors.
On Wednesdays, the Arthur library runs Toddler Time for children, aged 18 to 36 months, and Story Time for pre-school children, aged three to five. Children are registered for two six-week sessions. During the half hour sessions, the children have the opportunity to meet and play with other children, to listen to stories, to learn rhymes and songs, and to select books to take home. If you’re interested in registering your child for Toddler Time or for Story Time, please contact the library at 848-3999. The next sessions run from Wednesday, May 5 until Wednesday, June 9.