The latest news from
London Public Library
|
It can be hard to keep up with the news these days. We're reaching out to let you know we're here and ready to keep you reading, creating, watching, listening and learning this month. There's lots of good news to share! In this issue:
- Spring Break To Go
- COVID-19 Service Updates
- 16,000+ Online Courses with LinkedIn Learning
- Library Giving Day
- Our new Print from Home Service
- Environmentalist in Residence activities
- National Volunteer Week
- Celebrate Canadian Cinema
- and, a new, unpublished poem, just for you.
|
|
Grab a package of fun for the whole family with our Spring Activity Kit available for pick up from any library branch now and continuing until April 17. Kits include experiments, crafts, challenges and more! Drop by during Library hours to pick up.
Look for online activities for children and youth on our Spring Break page, including science experiments and toddler painting on Facebook Live, making preserves with Growing Chefs! and Intro to 3D printing.
And don't forget, you'll always find children's movies, craft videos, animated story books and learning resources online and available from home as part of our school-aged digital resources. |
|
Looking for information on booking a COVID-19 Vaccine? Find current eligibility information and the link to book an appointment on the Middlesex-London Health Unit's website.
|
|
Pick Up and Computers Available |
|
During the Provincial Shutdown period, PICK UP service is available from all Library locations and you can use a COMPUTER, printer or photocopier at the Central Library, with more locations coming soon. Find hours and information on our website or call us at 519-661-4600.
To use our PICK UP service, first place an item on hold using our online catalogue or by calling us at 519-661-4600. You can also have us select items for you to pick up through our We Pick and Personal Picks services. And, with our new Print from Home service, you can send us your printing needs for pick up from any location.
- Wait for your email or call letting you know your item is available for pick up.
- Pick up anytime during regular Library hours. We will hold your items for 5 business days.
- Wear a mask when picking up and keep a safe distance when lining up.
- Have your Library card ready.
- Return all items using return chutes outside the Library.
- At Central Library, use Dundas St. doors. Entrance from Citi Plaza is closed.
To use a self-serve computer, printer or photocopier, visit Central Library during regular hours. More locations coming soon (check website or call us to confirm).
- There are a limited number of computers available.
- 45 minutes maximum computer use per day.
- Masks are required to be worn at all times.
- No food or drink.
- Limited staff assistance is available and provided at a distance.
- At Central Library, use Dundas St. doors. Entrance from Citi Plaza is closed.
|
|
Changes to Holds and Returns Processing |
|
Starting April 6, we have made the following changes to reduce waiting times for Library materials and to keep your Library account more up to date:
- HOLDS will remain available on the holdshelf for 5 business days (reduced from 8 days). This does not apply to items for which you've already received a holds notification.
- RETURNS will be quarantined for 24 hours (reduced from 72 hours) before they are checked in and removed from your account. Please continue to return all items using our outside return chutes. Late fines are no longer charged.
Borrowing periods, which were increased by a week, remain unchanged and our auto-renew feature will continue to renew your items for up to 3 times unless there is a hold on the item.
|
|
Our Digital Library Keeps Getting Better! |
|
We've continued to add resources and make improvements to our Digital Library of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, newspapers, magazines, music, and learning and research platforms.
LPL Express - our most popular ebook and audiobook titles are available for one week loans with no waiting on Overdrive and the Libby app.
Ancestry Library Edition - this research platform for beginners and advanced genealogists is available from home through the end of June.
|
|
Introducing LinkedIn Learning with 16,000+ Courses |
|
On April 15, LinkedIn Learning will replace Lynda.com, providing you with even more options for staying up to date on technology, business and creative skills. With your Library card, LinkedIn Learning will give you access to 16,000+ online courses and tutorials (in 7 languages) taught by experts in the field. It's an ideal way to open the door to achieving your goals through self-paced learning from home.
If you have a Lynda.com account, it will be unavailable on April 15 during the transfer to LinkedIn Learning. Once the upgrade is completed, you will receive an email with a URL to activate the new LinkedIn Learning account using your existing Library card number and PIN. As long as your Library card number and PIN remain the same, your learning history with Lynda.com will be saved.
|
|
Calling all Library Lovers! |
|
Support Your Library on Library Giving Day! |
|
Library Giving Day takes place tomorrow (April 7) across North America. Show your love for your Library by making an online donation to London Public Library on April 7, or by becoming a monthly donor during April, and be entered to win one of our great prizes. Your gift, no matter the size, helps us strengthen our community by creating connections that enrich lives, inspire discovery, foster creativity and expand possibilities.
"I'm thankful for the community."
Caroline, a London Public Library donor, recently shared her reason for giving, “I'm very happy to support London Public Library, quite simply because it's so full of interesting things, so helpful for the community and so welcoming! The important thing about the Library is that it helps people in so many ways: offering lots of programs, English resources and programs for new Canadians, activities for babies and new mothers, literacy programs, digital literacy, musical instruments, knitting, activities to support local environmental causes . . . it's pretty amazing! I'm thankful for the community!”
Win a Book Bundle or Kobo eBook Reader!
Donate Online Tomorrow (April 7) for Library Giving Day and you will be entered into the draw for one of these Book Bundles! Draw is on April 8.
Book Bundle 1: The Pull of the Stars and The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue.
Book Bundle 2: They Said This Would Be Fun by Eternity Martis and The Skin We're In by Desmond Cole.
Sign Up as a Monthly/Recurring Donor through the month of April and you will be entered into the draw for a Kobo Accessories Libra H20 eBook Reader with a 7" HD Ink touchscreen with the ability to borrow eBooks from London Public Library's OverDrive collection. Draw is on May 3.
|
|
You can now send personal printing requests to us from home for pick up from any branch location. Upload your print request online and we'll contact you when your printing is ready to pick up - often within one business day. Cost is 10 cents per single-sided page. Learn more and upload your requests on our Print from Home page. |
|
Discover London's Environmentally Significant Areas |
|
Andrea Boyer, our Environmentalist in Residence, wants to help you discover and learn more about London's Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs). Watch for Andrea's ESA spotlight videos on the Library's social media pages through the month of April. We invite you to share your own photos of your ESA visits using the hashtag #LdnESA on Twitter or Instagram for a chance to win a prize. Please visit safely.
Through the month of April, our Environmentalist in Residence will be offering a series of talks on local environmental topics and will be answering your questions on steps you can take toward sustainability and more.
TALKS WITH ANDREA BOYER & GUESTS
Our Environmentalist in Residence initiative is offered in partnership with the City of London and is supported by The Hueston Family Foundation.
|
|
In recognition of Earth Day, National Poetry Month and our Environmentalist in Residence initiative, we are thrilled to share this brand new poem from London poet Tom Cull. Tom is also an active community environmentalist and an organizer of the Antler River Rally cleanups of the Thames River.
Gizzard Shad
Our unruly rescue out-front
lunging at other dogs, pizza crusts,
following the river path to the estuary
where the fish have shoaled
in thousands, their slick coats
churning the water in patterned roil,
intermittent flashes of silver bellies
flipped sideways—one wide fishy eye
catches mine; tethers two worlds, above and below.
Three boys smash the water with sticks.
A parent in our party, braver than me,
says ‘don’t do that please; the fish do not like it’
Dead bodies stiff the shore;
our dog holds one in her mouth
sideways like a smile.
Shad gather where warm
water is flushed into the river—
sewage plants, storm water drains.
Why so many now? No one really knows.
We make jokes about sushi and signs
of the apocalypse, laugh loudly through
our masks; the crowd grows, more dogs, children—
our son holds a funeral for Carl the fish:
“Carl” he says, “you were a fish.”
I stand hypnotized by those bodies
swishing. Pop cans, trash on the creek bed,
something flashing red and blue through
the undulating screen of fish.
-Tom Cull
|
|
Photo of Library volunteers at a Zoom check-in meeting with our Volunteer Coordinator. |
|
Our Volunteers Didn't Let a Pandemic Stop Them From Making a Difference |
|
One of our best stories from the past year has been the generosity and commitment of Library volunteers who have worked with us as we transitioned to providing online support for children in our READ programs and for newcomers learning English. In recognition of National Volunteer Week, April 18–24, we extend a heartfelt thank you to the 250 amazing volunteers who are currently giving back to the community through their Library!
FROM THE HEART
Through the feedback we've received, we know how valuable and rewarding our volunteer services have been, especially during these times of isolation and limited access to services. Here's what English learners in our ESL programs (and the volunteers!) told us:
"Until now I was afraid to meet people whose first language is English. This was the first time I lost track of time talking to someone in English. It's because the volunteer made me feel comfortable and encouraged me to keep talking."
"Thanks to this program, I got a really good score on the IELTS test (International English Language Testing System) which is essential for my personal goals to move forward with my education and employment."
From Our Volunteers
"The learner expressed her appreciation to me for being able to just talk! Sometimes, we are it! The only contact for practicing their English."
"This is definitely one of the highlights in my life right now. Thanks so much for partnering me with this English learner."
Volunteer Information sessions (coming in May) will provide information about summer virtual volunteer positions. Find more information and watch for information session dates on our Volunteer page. |
|
A Celebration of Canadian Cinema |
|
It's the perfect time to enjoy this Best of Canadian Film list which is available on Kanopy, a film streaming service you can access with your library card. |
|
We've Got Ideas for Taking It Easy |
|
As we read The Art of Taking It Easy for the Big Library Read from April 7–19, tune in to our Together at Home Book Club on Facebook to find staff suggestions (and community discussions!) on books, films and other resources from our digital collection that will guide you on the path of self-care and relaxation, including yoga on Kanopy, meditation and mindfulness on Hoopla, and calming creations on Creativebug. Download The Art of Taking It Easy from OverDrive or the Libby app with no wait lists from April 7 through 19 and visit the Big Library Read website for an author event and activities.
|
|
*Summer Reading Clubs Open June 8
Save the date! Starting June 8, kids and teens can join our popular online summer reading programs: TD Summer Reading Club and Level Up! Teen Summer Reading Challenge. If you already have a Beanstack account, you can simply join a challenge starting June 8. If you don't have a Beanstack account, sign up here. It's free!
|
|
Getting Ready to File Your 2020 Tax Return
April 7, 7–8pm
A presentation from Canada Revenue Agency on filing 2020 tax returns, including information for COVID-19 benefits and where to get help with preparing and filing returns.
Intro to 3D Printing & Design – Zoom (Ages 16+)
Learn to find and create 3D printing files using Thingiverse and Tinkercad, and how to submit them to the Library for printing.
Tuesday, April 20, 6:30–730pm
Tuesday, June 15, 6:30–730pm
Literacy Right From the Start
April 22, 7–7:30pm
Expectant and new London area parents are invited to join us for this free online discussion on ways to give your baby the best start in life. Participants will receive a gift from the London Child & Youth Network and the Kiwanis Club of Forest City-London.
Scientists in Schools
Online science programs for ages 4–12.
Colour My World
May 5, 6:30–7:30pm
Sticky Science
May 15, 10–11am
Improve Your Online Streaming Presentations – Zoom (Ages 16+)
May 11, 6:30–7:30pm
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Join the challenge to read 1000 books to your child (0 to 4 years of age) before they start kindergarten. It's easier than you think! Visit www.lpl.ca/1000BBK to find out more, link to a starter list of 125 books selected by our librarians, and download activity sheets.
Live Storytimes for 1–5 year olds
Ongoing. Tuesdays, 10–10:30am
Ongoing. Fridays, 10–10:30am.
Books for Babies
Ongoing. Thursdays, 10–10:20am
Virtual Book Clubs for Kids
For ages 7–9, 10–13, and 14 & up. Find dates & book titles and register here.
Together at Home Book Clubs for Adults
Ongoing. Various dates & times.
ESL Reading Groups for Adults
Ongoing. Various dates, times & reading levels.
Virtual Knitting Group for Adults
Ongoing. Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30pm
Monday Night Trivia for Adults
A new challenge for adults is posted every Monday morning (except holidays) on LPL's social media platforms.
Family Trivia (Wednesdays)
A new challenge for children and families is posted every Wednesday morning on LPL's social media platforms.
|
|
We want to thank you for your patience, support and words of appreciation as we adjust our services and look for new ways to provide you with the Library resources you need and the programs and connections that make our lives better. |
|
London Public Library
www.lpl.ca
info@lpl.ca
519-661-4600
|
|
|
If you no longer wish to receive London Public Library's news and service alerts by email, please click the Unsubscribe link below. If you unsubscribe from our newsletter you will continue to receive email notifications about your Library account (holds, date due, etc.).
For information about donating to your Library: please visit our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
