This issue of our newsletter reaches you at a time when many of us are reeling from the discovery at the Kamloops Residential School and are considering what we can do to seek out, listen to and learn from the historical and current voices of Indigenous peoples.

We honour and grieve the loss of the 215 children discovered and we keep the people of the Tk’emlumps Te Secwepemc First Nations and all nations and families affected by the Residential School system front of mind as we reflect on the actions we can take as individuals and as institutions to ensure that Every Child Matters.

London Public Library has begun an external review of its policies and practices through an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens. This will inform the development of our next Strategic Plan, due to be completed by the end of 2021. We have benefited greatly from our community partnerships with local Indigenous organizations and leaders and acknowledge we still have much to learn.

Michael Ciccone

CEO, London Public Library

Our Library Spotlight: Indigenous Reads includes titles by current Indigenous authors and artists as recommended by Indigenous authors, scholars and artists. This list includes titles for adults, teens and children. You can place holds on these titles for pick up at any location and some are also available as ebooks and audiobooks.

Download an ebook or audiobook from our Every Child Matters collection on Overdrive and Libby. Includes titles for adults, teens and children.

Read the final reports and understand the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Available as ebooks online or place a hold to pick up from any location.

Save the date! Starting June 8, kids and teens can join our popular online summer reading programs: TD Summer Reading Challenge 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!

Find out more about all the great things happening this summer with your Library here.

June 1, 12–1pm

The Credit Counselling Society looks at ways to save on household expenses, including utilities, transportation, phone bills and groceries. Register here.

June 2 or 8, 8-9pm

Attend a Parent & Teen Info Session on June 2 or 8 to find out more. Register here.

June 2, 7–8pm

This summer the Stratford Festival returns to the outdoors, recalling its origins under a tent in 1953, while also offering productions digitally. In this talk, technical directors offer a behind-the-scenes look at how they're making this unique season happen! Register here.

June 9, 6:30–7:30pm

Join biographer Carolyn Parks Mintz for a presentation of Resolve: The Story of the Chelsea Family and A First Nation Community's Will to Heal, her book that documents through interviews and historical records the exceptional lives of Andy and Phyllis Chelsea, sharing their journey from residential school trauma to a lifetime of community work and international recognition for activism. Register here.

Intro to 3D Printing & Design – Zoom (Ages 16+)

Learn to find and create 3D printing files using Thingiverse and Tinkercad, and how to submit your designs to the Library for printing. Register here.

June 17, 6–7:15pm

Lorraine Johnson, author of books on urban agriculture, explains the benefits of introducing native plants to the home garden and landscape, providing suggestions for easy-to-grow ornamental and edible plants. Register here.

Spanish Storytime! Hora de Cuentos en Español! Facebook Live for 1–5 year olds

10–10:30am

Live Storytimes for 1–5 year olds

Ongoing. Tuesdays, 10–10:30am

Ongoing. Fridays, 10–10:30am.

Ongoing. Thursdays, 10–10:20am

For ages 7–9, 10–13, and 14 & up. Find dates & book titles and register here.

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.

Currently, all Library locations except Glanworth are open for holds pick up. Find full details and hours here.

Send us your print requests for pick up at your neighbourhood library branch. Upload your files here.

Let us pick books and DVDs for you and your family! Fill out our We Pick or Personal Picks forms here and we'll notify you when your request is available to pick up from the branch of your choice.

As changes to COVID-19 restrictions 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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