With the coming of spring, we're all looking forward to getting outdoors and reconnecting with the natural world. Whether you love gardening or are inspired to get involved in local environmental initiatives, start the season with these programs and reading suggestions.

Dr. Elin Kelsey believes hope is our most powerful tool in facing climate change. This message from her new book, Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way We Think is Critical for Solving the Environmental Crisis, endorsed by Dr. Jane Goodall, is the focus of our next Green in the City on March 18, an event specially designed for adults and children aged 12 and older who want to feel inspired and hopeful in finding their role in creating a better future. She is joined by Rimsha Ashraf, a Young London Councillor.

Elin Kelsey is also known for her children's books with their optimistic and hopeful views on our profound interconnection to the natural world, including You Are Stardust and You Are Never Alone.

Green in the City presents its final events for the season this month: two presentations, Ontario's First Neighbourhood Powered by the Sun: West 5 on March 23 and The Future of Masonville on March 30 (registration coming soon) that focus on positive environmental initiatives taking place in London. Find Green in the City information and register here.

Be inspired for the gardening season with our programs featuring Master Gardeners, including So You Want to Grow Vegetables (for novice gardeners), Gardening Trends for 2021, and Weeds: Friend or Foe? Register here for these programs on Zoom.

Browse the latest gardening magazines on OverDrive and the Libby app.

NEW! Due to the overwhelming success of our Monday Night Trivia challenges, we've opened up the challenge so that it will be available all day long. Watch for the link on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by 9am and play anytime before midnight.

From April 1–28, this year's Environmentalist In Residence, Andrea Boyer, will explore environmental topics affecting Londoners, from bird safety to changes in the weather.

We'll also have weekly prize giveaways, environmental challenges and chances to practice citizen science. Not sure where to get started? We'll help with that too – London is full of success stories and places to volunteer, shop, and contribute.

Here's your first chance to win a rain barrel, composter or gift card from a Green Economy London member as part of our Environmentalist in Residence program.

In response to overwhelming demand to borrow Park Passes and feedback from our community, day-use Park Passes now have a 1-week loan period. Those who currently have a Park Pass checked out will not be affected. This change has been made to give more Londoners the opportunity to get out to Ontario Parks this year.

If you are in the hold queue for a Park Pass (or any library item) and see that your turn to borrow may come when you won't be able to use it, you can freeze your hold. Your hold will be passed over until you unfreeze it and go back into the lineup without losing your spot. Find out more here.

Did you know that 1 in 10 Canadians have a print disability that prevents them from reading conventional print? The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provides access to books, newspapers and magazines in fully accessible formats that people with print disabilities can read, such as audio, digital text and braille.

If you know a Londoner who would benefit from access to CELA’s accessible collections, you can call our Visiting Library Service staff at 519-661-6444 or email visiting.library@lpl.ca to learn more about registering with CELA.

We have recently learned that Government of Canada funding supporting the production and distribution of these accessible books is being threatened. Find out how you can help and learn more here.

One Page: Canada's Virtual Literary Series is a new collaboration between Canada’s literary festivals and public libraries that offers a new way to engage with writers and books. Canadian readers can now enjoy live conversations with some of the best known writers in the world. Look for these upcoming events:

Author Russell Banks and Globe and Mail contributing writer Sandra Martin get together for a conversation about Bank's novel, Foregone, and what it takes to create a character with so much to hide. Register here.

Kazuo Ishiguro, author of the Booker Prize-winning The Remains of the Day, talks about his latest novel, Klara and the Sun, with Giller Prize-winning novelist and poet Ian Williams. Register here.

Author Isabel Allende talks with writer, actor and playwright Carmen Aguirre about her new memoir, The Soul of a Woman. Register here.

From April 5–19, download The Art of Taking It Easy, a practical, yet laugh-out-loud, guide to embracing humour to reduce stress and live a happier, fuller life. The author, Dr. Brian King, got a degree in psychology before becoming a world-touring comic and the host of extremely popular humour therapy seminars. In this brilliant guide, he presents hands-on techniques for managing stress by rewiring our brains to approach potentially difficult situations through a lens of positivity. Download the ebook from OverDrive or the Libby app with no waiting from April 5 through 19 and join an online discussion about the book at biglibraryread.com.

For something fun to do with your whole family, pick up a Spring Activity Kit from any library branch starting April 6 and continuing until April 17.

April 7, 7–8pm

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.

Join us outside at select locations for stories, songs and rhymes for children! Masks required for those 2 years and up and physical distancing will be in place. Advance registration is required. Find dates, locations and register weekly here.

Live Storytimes for 1–5 year olds

Ongoing. Tuesdays, 10–10:30am

Ongoing. Fridays, 10–10:30am.

Ongoing. Thursdays, 10–10:20am

Ongoing. Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30pm

Currently, with London in the Orange zone of the Provincial COVID-19 Framework, all Library locations except Glanworth are open for borrowing and to use a computer, printer, photocopier or WiFi. Visits, including computer and WiFi use, are limited to 2 hours maximum daily. Masks are required to be worn and other health and safety measures are in place. Please return all items using our outdoor return chutes. Find full details and hours here.

As changes to the COVID-19 Framework are confirmed by the Province and local health authorities, information about how this will affect Library service levels will be posted on our website and social media channels.

Our Digital Library of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, newspapers, magazines, music, and learning and research platforms is always available.

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