Trent University’s Bata Library and the Peterborough Public Library Partner to Offer On-Campus Recreational Reading Collection

Trent University’s Bata Library and the Peterborough Public Library have partnered to offer a new self-serve library kiosk on campus; promoting community connection and providing increased access to the downtown library’s collection.

photo courtesy of trent university.

“At Trent University, we recognize the profound benefits of reading for pleasure, ranging from stress relief and cognitive development to the enhancement of empathy skills,” said Coralee Leroux, Bata Library’s scholarly resources librarian. “The success of this partnership has created a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange, stimulating curiosity, reducing stress, and fostering empathy among our students and wider community. It is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and a shared vision for education and personal growth.” 

Bata Library is the newest location for the Peterborough Public Library's network of self-serve kiosks, offering access to public library materials for anyone possessing a Peterborough Public Library card, and extending the reach of library resources throughout the city. Other locations include the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

“We’re very excited to partner with Bata Library on this initiative. Our kiosks provide an alternative to visiting our downtown branch for those who want to borrow library materials,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Peterborough Public Library. “When the folks at Trent reached out, it was such a quick and easy yes from us. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to work together and combine our library powers for the benefit of the Trent and local communities.” 

To borrow a book from the Bata Library kiosk, or other kiosk locations, individuals can simply scan their Peterborough Public Library card, enter their PIN, and open the kiosk door to select a book. When removing the book from the kiosk and closing the door, the item is automatically checked out.

For those who do not have a Peterborough Public Library card, registration can be done online. 

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Peterborough Public Library and Bird Friendly Peterborough To Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day May 13

The Peterborough Public Library and Bird Friendly Peterborough will be celebrating World Migratory Bird Day in the FOL Community Room at the library on May 13.

photo courtesy of the peterborough public library.

Local environmental and wildlife groups will be on hand to help you with ideas and projects for making your gardens, yards and buildings more bird-friendly.

Learn about Peterborough's new Bird-Friendly City certification, actions the library is taking, and how you can help make our communities more bird-friendly. This event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. will also feature door prizes, a live bird demo by a falconry expert, a family-friendly bird origami craft drop-in by library staff and a bird ID scavenger hunt.

“With our Native Plant Garden creating bird habitat in Library Commons, our new Birdwatching Kits, and bird-safe window treatments, the Library is proud to be a part of this Bird-Friendly City,” says Mark Stewart, Library Services Manager.

The Library will be launching its new collection of Birdwatching Kits that will be available to borrow with your library card. The kits have been made possible through generous donations from Peterborough Field Naturalists and Bird Friendly Peterborough. The kits come in a backpack and contain binoculars, bird identification guides and activities for adults and families.

The grand reveal of the Library's bird-safe window decal installation will be at 2 p.m., making it the first City building to do so in collaboration with BFP. Peterborough’s Bird Friendly City certification will be officially presented to Mayor Jeff Leal. City Councillors, City staff, First Nations representatives and BFP funders, along with the general public are invited to celebrate the day.  

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Peterborough Public Library Self-Serving Book Kiosks in The Community

The Peterborough Public Library has self-serving book Kiosks in the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre and at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. 

photo courtesy of the peterborough public library.

Library staff restock the Kiosks weekly with popular adult and children's books. All you need is your library card for the easy to use the Kiosks.

How to check books in and out with your library card:

  1. Scan the barcode on the back of your library card.

  2. Enter your library PIN (your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your phone number)

  3. The door will unlock for you to open.

  4. If you have books to return, place them on the shelves. It doesn’t matter where on the shelves you place them, please make sure they’re standing upright.

  5. If you’d like to borrow any books, take them off the shelves and then shut the door.

  6. The Kiosk will scan all the books inside. It automatically checks in any books you have returned and checks out any that you’ve removed.

  7. Take your receipt.

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Peterborough Public Library Recognized As Legacy Space

The Peterborough Public Library and its funding partners announce they will be the first public library to be recognized as a Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy Space. 

file photo.

Legacy Spaces are safe, welcoming places where conversations and education about Indigenous history – and our collective journey towards reconciliation – are encouraged and supported. They also serve as symbols and reminders of the important work each of us needs to undertake in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

The library will be celebrating the opening of the Legacy Space on May 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The Library is a busy community hub dedicated to curiosity, discovery and learning. We’re proud to welcome everyone into the space, to learn about Indigenous history, and take actions toward reconciliation,” says Library CEO Jennifer Jones.  

“United Way Peterborough & District is proud to be partnering in bringing a Legacy Space to our community. Peterborough Public Library is already a place for all community members to learn, and the addition of a Legacy Space provides us with a location to grow in our shared reconciliation journey,” says founding funding partner and United Way CEO Jim Russell.

Marcus Harvey, executive director of the Trent University Faculty Association and founding funding partner on this project, says he values the role that Labour can play in the work of Reconciliation.

“Trent University’s longstanding commitment to Indigenous Knowledges may explain why Trent’s unions would get involved in this project from the outset,” Harvey says. “But this as an exercise in Solidarity that fits beautifully with the broader Labour community’s vision for social justice in Nogojiwanong.”

Follow along as the space is built, plan the launch and develop programs and collections to support their commitment to ReconciliACTION on the Library’s website and social media channels. 

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The Peterborough Public Library Announces First One Book One Ptbo Title Selection

The Peterborough Public Library announces the selection of the One Book, One Ptbo title: Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice.

moon of the crusted snow by Waubgeshig Rice, book cover.

Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation. He has written three fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies. His most recent novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, was published in 2018 and became a national bestseller.

He graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002 and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host. He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career. Rice lives in Sudbury with his wife and three sons. His forthcoming novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, will be published in October 2023.

One Book, One Ptbo aims to build community through the shared experience of reading the same book and participating in programs and events inspired by the themes found within the narrative.

“I’m thrilled and honoured that Moon of the Crusted Snow has been selected for One Book, One Peterborough. Connecting with readers through public libraries is a very special relationship, and I’m overjoyed that members of the Peterborough Public Library will have an opportunity to read my story through this important initiative,” said Rice.

Copies of Waubgeshig Rice’s book will be available starting in May. Community members can use their library cards to borrow this title in various formats, including traditional paperback, eBook, audiobook and even as a Book Club in a Bag kit.

The library will host programs to explore the book's themes this fall and is actively looking for community partners. If your organization is interested in hosting one of these programs, reach out to the Library before April.

Partial funding for this project was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.

For more information visit the website.

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Mayor Jeff Leal Makes Statement Regarding Expected Drag Queen Story Time Protest at Peterborough Public Library

City of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal and Peterborough Public Library board chair Dan Moloney have issued the following statements regarding protests at the Peterborough Public Library Drag Queen Story Time event on Feb. 25.

betty baker addressing fans outside the peterborough public library after drag queen story time on Jan. 14. photo by felicia massey.

“The City of Peterborough supports providing an inclusive, safe community for all residents. We strongly reject any act that incites hate in the community against any particular group. Thank you to the Peterborough Public Library for promoting an inclusive community, offering programming for all residents,” Mayor Jeff Leal stated.

The Drag Queen Story Time event will feature local drag queen Betty Baker sharing some of her favourite stories around the themes of diversity, inclusion and respect.

“The Library Board supports the Library in its endeavours to educate and support inclusivity. We are behind the Library staff and the offering of Drag Queen Story Time,” Library Board Chair Dan Moloney stated.

The City of Peterborough is a member of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities. Member municipalities must advance initiatives to:

  1. Improve their practices for social inclusion

  2. Establish policies to eradicate racism and discrimination

  3. Promote human rights and diversity 

The Peterborough Police Service provides an online reporting tool for reporting hate/bias incident.

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Protests, Counter-Protests and Persistence; Drag Queen Story Time Event Comes to Peterborough Public Library

Regardless of planned protests, the Peterborough Public Library remains unwavered in decision to host local drag queen Betty Baker for Drag Queen Story Time event on Jan. 14.

Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Public Library.

The upcoming event is hosting 19-year-old Peterborough drag performer Betty Baker, and will feature children’s book readings, sing-alongs and puppet shows geared towards kids ages three to eight.

“The books that I read at storytime are about accepting oneself and being creative, and this month we’re specifically focusing on expressing yourself,” says Baker, who has been invited back for story time after the success of a similar event back in September.

As a queer person in a small town, Baker expresses that events such as this offer a chance for youth to enjoy a fun storytime hour and learn about themes of emotion and acceptance in a “fun, colourful, artistic, whimsical and family-friendly” way.

“I’ve been a queer youth in the community, and I was (now) given the opportunity to become the role model I never really had in Peterborough growing up,” they said.

Echoing this message, Mark Stewart and Karen Clysdale of the Peterborough Public Library say they are proud to be offering a variety of programs and events for any and everyone in the community, pointing out that Betty Baker embodies such diversity “flawlessly.”

“What better person to show people that you can be different and still be valued and included than someone who’s grown up in this community,” says children services librarian Karen Clysdale. “Somebody who can say ‘I’ve been there, I’m still here, and I’m happy,’ and I think Betty is a fantastic example of what children can look forward to, and should expect, from their community.”

The library says this will be the first event of a once a month program they are introducing. Clysdale says her and Baker have worked together to choose a number of books for the event from the library’s collection.

“The event is themed like any other story time that either me or my colleague do throughout the year, only we have a guest presenter. These (themes) are being introduced in a natural, age-appropriate way, talking on a level that kids ages three to eight are responsive to,” says Clysdale.

Stewart mentions taking advice from neighbouring libraries who have dealt with threats in the wake of hosting drag story time events, hiring extra security and notifying local police to ensure there will be all hands on deck during the event.

“We’ve covered all the bases to make sure everyone has a really good time,” he assures. “At the last (Drag Queen Story Time) the counter-protest was much bigger than the actual protest, and it was more like a party out front of the library. There was a lot of support from the community and the attendance at the storytime was the biggest I’d ever seen. I know that there’s a lot of love and support, and even that is another level of protection (against) protesters.”

Spearheading said group of protestors is Hill City Baptist Church pastor Ben Inglis and 2021 federal election People’s Party of Canada candidate Paul Lawton.

The pair started the Drag Queen Story Hour Protest event online, and believe that drag story time is seeking to “normalize the fringe” and that the messages portrayed are harmful to children.

“I think a basic reason that everyone coming to protest would agree on is a shared conviction that drag entertainers shouldn’t be practicing their ‘art’ within a hundred miles of kids,” expresses Inglis. “Drag is, and has always been a movement saturated in sexual expression; the costumes, the stage names, the mannerisms. You can’t escape it.”

Inglis says that parents/guardians who take their children to such events are making a “terrible decision they will regret later in life.”

“Everyone of sound mind agrees that there are some things that as a society we should not allow, that's why we have proscriptive laws. The argument that ‘people should be allowed to choose whether they go to Drag Queen Story Time or not’ presupposes that drag queen story time itself a good thing (or at least neutral), and endorsing it will contribute to a healthy society,” says Lawton. “Our contention is that we ought to live out our identities as male and female in the way God made us, and that we should protect children from the false and harmful ideas at the root of Drag Queen Story Time.”

Lawton recognizes the inevitability of counter-protests.

“In principle I have no problem with counter-protesting, frankly it seems only fair,” he says.

It’s through the support of these counter-protestors that Baker says drag queen story time events in the Peterborough community can continue.

“Of course it’s scary to have people spew misinformation and hatred towards you or a community you are apart of online, but the support I have received greatly outweighs any of that,” assures Baker.

The Peterborough Public Library’s message is clear: “Everyone’s welcome at the library,” says Stewart.

It is through this frame of mind that the library extends an invitation to the Jan. 14 Drag Queen Story Time event to its protestors.

“For the people that are coming out to protest this event thinking that it is not age-appropriate, I think they have no true understanding of the scope drag performance can take, and I invite them to come and watch respectfully,” says Clysdale. “I feel like the idea that drag is purely a sexual presentation comes from a lack of knowledge, and in the library we always encourage people to learn more about something that they don’t know enough about.”

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First Peterborough County Makerspace Opens at Selwyn Public Library In Lakefield

The first Makerspace in Peterborough County opens at the Lakefield branch of the Selwyn Public Library (SPL) with help from the Ontario Trillium Foundation on Friday.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Makerspace is a place for all ages and skill levels to craft, create, explore technology and share skills using high-tech to no-tech tools.

Appointments must be made to use the space and can be pre-booked on their website.

Everything from vinyl signage to 3D printing can be crafted using equipment such as the Ultimaker S3 or the Cricut.

A $78,200 Resilient Communities Fund grant through the Ontario Trillium Foundation funded the formation of the creative space, transforming SPL’s former Renewed Classics thrift shop into the Makerspace.

“When you look around this room at what has been done, they have taken $79,000 and they have probably added over $200,000 worth of value for the community,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

Some renovations completed through the Trillium Resilient Communities grant include new paint/flooring and the conversion of an old vault into a podcasting suite. They were also able to get new furniture and a security system.

“For quite some time the board has received reports about the Makerspace,” said a 20-year SPL board member. “We weren’t really sure what it (Makerspace) was going to be and what it was going to look like but (the staff) have done a tremendous job with $79,000.”

The SPL Makerspace is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Peterborough Public Library Launches Strategic Plan Community Survey

The Peterborough Public Library has launched a Community Survey as part of its 2023-2026 Strategic Planning process.

File Photo.

The survey allows anyone to share their thoughts on the Library’s current programs, services and collections and provide feedback on areas you would like to see improved or enhanced. Community members are invited to participate and have a say in their community library.

The information gathered through the survey will help guide the direction of the library's strategic plan over the next four years.

The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/PtboLibraryEngagement.

Hard copies of the survey will be available upon request at the main library branch and it will be available until Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. 

Community members are also invited to an in-person focus group on Oct. 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the FOL Community Room.

Register for this event at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ptbo-library-strategic-planning-engagement-session-public-tickets-427415440087.

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Construction Set To Begin For Morrow Park Community Centre

Construction crews are expected to begin preparations for a $65.5M community centre with an arena, aquatic complex and library at Morrow Park within the next two weeks.

Photo courtesy of Connect Peterborough.

The first phase of the project outlines two 500-seat pads, an elevating running/walking track, landscaping, public washrooms and storage, team change rooms and two multipurpose rooms.

The complex will include an aquatic centre with an eight-lane pool and warm-up therapy pool once all phases are completed.

A 5,000-square-foot Peterborough Public Library branch will replace the permanently closed DelaFosse library branch on Park Street South.

The twin-pad arena will replace the Northcrest Arena, which was torn down due to structural issues last year.

Construction is set to be completed by the fall of 2024.

"Our new community centre is a much-needed project anticipated by many community members with multiple uses included for all ages,” said Coun. Lesley Parnell, arenas, parks and recreation advisory committee chair. “A major silver lining is (an) addition of a new library branch to replace the outdated DelaFosse building. All conveniently located as a hub for local citizens and sports tourism.”

In a July meeting, Peterborough City Council approved Morrow Park at Lansdowne Street and Park Street as the location for the complex.

A pre-planned reconstruction of a section of Lansdowne Street West running next to Morrow Park is being timed to align with the construction of this new community centre.

Site preparation is said to take six to eight weeks.

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