2019 Annual Report
Six Branches, One Library | Time to Renew
Fundraising continued in 2019 for the much-needed Picton Branch Library expansion. The 113-year-old building is home to an increasingly diverse array of services to meet the needs of the community, but physical space considerations create real limits.
After community consultations, it became evident that maintaining the downtown location and historic facade was important to library users. A fundraising committee led by chair Alexandra Bake started work in 2018 and continued in 2019. Highlights from 2019 included a matching campaign that brought $70,262 in donations, matched by a $50,000 gift by an anonymous donor. “Picton Library was built thanks to a $10,000 donation made in 1907. Every single gift made to the new Picton Library will ensure that future generations have opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive in our community” said Library Board chair Devon Jones.
In support of the Library’s “Time to Renew” fundraising campaign, “Renew” was an online art auction of approximately 100 curated contemporary and historic artworks.
Raised at the end of 2019
Rosalie Starkey purchased a bowl created by artist Maggie Murdoch in the auction.
Author Dave Meslin spoke at the Armoury Mall as a fundraiser.
Library volunteers sold mugs, lawn signs, t-shirts, and more at markets across Prince Edward County in support of the fundraising effort.
Fundraising committe member Elizabeth Etue, Library CEO Barbara Sweet, and Louise Bazett Jones celebrate a donation from St. John’s Anglican Apple Blossom festival.
County Reads Authors Festival
County Reads featured Sally Keefe-Cohen (Dear Evelyn by Kathy Page), Ken Murray (moderator), Bill Roberts (A Matter of Malice by Thomas King), Trevor Brookes (Women Talking by Miriam Toews), Elizabeth Etue (Too Dumb for Democracy by Dave Moscrop), Barbara Sweet (Library CEO) and Bernie Finkelstein (Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga).
The County Reads debate in action, presenting to a full house at St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Picton.
Indigenous Speakers
Dr. Niigaan Sinclair speaks at St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Picton.
In response to the municipal installation of the Sir John A. Macdonald statue at the Picton Branch Library, the library planned a series of Indigenous speakers to assist with the community’s discussion around the statue. “We want to hear ideas about ways we can recognize our first Prime Minister’s complex legacy,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. “I am hopeful that this consultation, together with the library’s speaker series, will help our community think more deeply about the process of reconciliation.”
Niigaanwewidam (Niigaan) Sinclair, an award-winning writer, editor, and activist launched the series with a full-house talk. The series continued with a talk on Indigenous Place-making featuring Sarah Midanik of the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, and Kater Lucier-Laboucan and Calbin Book of Brook McIlroy’s Indigenous Design Studio. Further talks are planned for 2020.
New Services
Adventure Kit
In partnership with Quinte Conservation, Adventure kits were launched. These kits include a parking pass for Quinte Conservation nature areas, as well as tools to encourage exploration and discovery including a metal detector, telescope, scavenger hunt game, books, and more.
Thanks to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the County of Prince Edward Public Library partnered with TackleShare to loan fishing rods, reels and tackle to give new and young anglers the opportunity to go fishing at no cost.
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan is a fundamental part of the way that Ontario public libraries are able to provide for the informational and entertainment requirements of their patrons through the sharing of materials between libraries. If there is a book or DVD that you want that is unavailable in Prince Edward County, we are able to request from other libraries.
In 2019, government cutbacks at the Southern Ontario Library service meant that the service was stopped until SOLS was able to develop a new method and service was reintroduced. Although the workflow is now more time-intensive for staff, the experience for patrons is relatively unchanged.
The decreased number of interlibrary loans both borrowed and loaned is indicative of the challenges this year.
2019:
Loaned 3,054
Borrowed 3,797
2018:
Loaned 6,355,
Borrowed 5,028
PEC Archives
Major projects included the digitization of the historic Tremaine map with copies made available for sale as a fundraiser in support of the purchase of a new microfilm reader. The genealogy group continues to meet regularly and has welcomed guest speakers including Julia Creet speaking on genetic testing for geneaology, Sarah Sinclair speaking about the Hyatt and Macdonald families and more.
Visitors: 663
Requests: 398
Musical Instrument Lending Library
2019 was another busy year for the Musical Instrument Lending Library, thanks to MILL volunteers Don Hinde, Mario Panacci and Jim Bowlby. Musical programs, including drumming circles at nursing and retirement homes, beginner ukulele classes and more continue to be popular.
“The rhythm of the drumming takes my mind off things, and it’s relaxing and makes me feel good,” remarked a nursing home resident.
By the Numbers
Program Attendance
2019: 15,371 people
2018: 17,837 people
1,119 programs organized by the library,
including: author events, storytimes, tech
workshops, music programs, outreach events
and more across Prince Edward County.
(2018: 1,142)
Total Circulation
2019: 179,543
2018: 182,792
New Members
2019: 872
2018: 1,164
Top Titles in 2019
Fiction:
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny
In a House of Lies by Ian Rankin
Past Tense by Lee Child
Nonfiction:
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Educated by Tara Westover,
Teardown: Rebuilding Democracy from the Ground Up by Dave Meslin
DVD set:
Midsomer Murders
Game of Thrones
Inspector Lewis
DVD movie:
A Star is Born starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
The Wife starring Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce
Green Book starring Maherhala Ali and Viggo Mortensen
Children’s fiction:
Brawl of the Wild by Dave Pilkey
The Baby-Sitter’s Club Dawn and The Impossible Three adapted by Gale Galligan
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules by Jeff Kinney
Children’s nonfiction:
Ultimate Weird but True by National Geographic
Minecraft Beginner’s Handbook
Guinness World Records
Picture Books:
Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Bedtime 1,2,3 by Eric Walters
Instruments:
Djembe Drum
Soprano Ukulele
Drum set
Thank you to the many people and groups who contributed to the Picton Branch Library expansion project in 2019.
Adams, Paul & Anne
Alyea, Monica
Aman, Doug & Christine
Anderson, Wendy
Anderson, Peter
Armstrong, Terry
Armstrong, Mr. Terry B.
Aston, Janet & Ron
Ayle of Quinte Skiff Club
Bailey, Blair
Bake, Alexandra
Bakker, Sadie
Barclay, Susanne
Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co.
Bell, Marilyn
Belyk, Edward
Berlin, Joyce & Horst
Bethell, Vivian
Blake John
Bolton, Grant F.
Boyd, Dale
Bradley, Alex
Braj, Bettina
Brett, Mary
Brister, Margaret
Broersma, Harry and Mandy
Broersma, Harry and Marilyn
Bronskill, Reg
Brooks, Marilyn & Wayne
Brown, Douglas
Brown, Rosemary
Brownbill, Ellen
Bruce, Phyllis
Brummelhuis, Emma
Bryan, Laura
Butler & Santiago Diez, Gail D
Bye, Michael and Audrey
Cade, Kelly
Campbell, Mary P.
Carruthers, Buffy
Casa Lucia
Cashaback, Joshua
Casson, Nella
Charles, Barbara V. & John
Clark, Brian
Clark, Judy
Claydon, Donald
Clements, L.E. Gotham
Cluett, Veronica & John
Cohen, Sally Keefe
Colby, Virgil
Consecon Women’s Institute
Cooper, Krysten
Corbett, Mary Lazier
Cornell Family, The
Couture, Denise
Cowan Elizabeth
Cowtan, Kathleen M.
Craft, Anne-Marie & Warren
Cranshaw, Dianne
Creighton, Don & Moira
Crowe, Tanis J.
Cull, Lucinda and Robert
Curnock, & Lorna McDonell, Edward T.
Cutler, Dawn
Cutler, Douglas & Nancy
Dalicandro, Janet Louise
Dandurand, Philip
D’Anjou, Elizabeth
Dawes, Andrea
Dean, Tony
Deano, Debbie
deBoer Jocelyn
Delany, Vicki
Desjardins
Donovan, Lynne
Donville, Linda
Dorinda, Maureen
Dorland, Cara & Thomas
Dowdell, Bruce
Drown, David
D’s Collision Centre Inc.
Duffy, Lillian
Dumbrille, Anne
Dunford, Barbara
Durell, Brian
Dury, Leonard A.
Eagen, Sheila
Eagle, Tricia
Eden, Brian
Edward, David
Edwards, Janice
Ellison, Patricia & Chris
Elson, M. Ann R.
Elson, Pat
Emma Robinson Medicine Professional Corporation
Etue, Elizabeth
Fischer, Teresa
Fish, Isabelle & Simon
Fleming, & Roger Keglevich, Andrew
Fraser, Marlene
Friends of the Library
Friends of the Picton
Branch Public Library
From the Farm
Enterprises, Inc
Galloway, Alec
Galloway, Denise
Galway, Bev
Gifford, Susan & Carl
Gilbert, Jefferson &
Alison
Giraudy, John & Karen
Golding, Kate
Goostrey, Roy & Paul
Goostrey, Yvonne A.
Goranson, Sandra
Gordon, Anne
Gordon, Anne E.
Graff, Elyse
Graham, Faye
Green, Colleen
Greer, Paulette
Groupe Ameublement
Focus Inc.
Gruer, Lawrence
Grund, K. Dieter &
Deborah
Gunsolus, Drew
Haigh, Kim
Half Moon Bay Vineyards
& Wineyard Inc.
Hall, Peta
Hall Treasure, Christine L.
Stephen R.
Hamel, Jeanne
Hampton, Richard &
Sheila
Hardman, Fraser and
Robyn
Harrison, Thomas
and Andrea
Hatch, Spencer
Hawkins, David K.
Hazell, June
Helm, Glenn & Dianne
Hicks, Elinor & R. Jack
Hill, Amanda
Hill, John & Jill
Hilson, David & Louise
Hilton, Peter & Dawn
Hobson, Barbara K.
Hogenauer, Barbara
Holmes, Norma
Holowacz Borys
House, Anne
Howard, Jane M.
Hughes, Marion
Hughes, Susan
Huizenga, John & Barbara
Hunt, Rena E.
Hussey, Valerie
Huxley, Timothy & Gail
Iannaci, Gisa & Tony
Innes, Andrew
Ippersiel, Martha
Itani, Frances
Jackson David & Maureen
Jackson, Elaine
Jamieson-Doris, Jill
Jenkins, Sarie
Jenkison & Donald Wilford,
Geraldine
Johnson, Robert G.
Johnston, Eleanor
Jolliffe, Pam
Jones, Devon
Jones, Stew
Kandis, Mags
Kanga, Faroukh & Norah
Kellough, Janet
Kelly, Eleanor G.
Kelly, Jean
Kennelly, Barbara J.
Kimel, Shawn
Kimmel Jill
Kinch, Marion
Konkin, Daryl & Kate
Kriens, Peter & Heidi
Kroeker, Nancy H.
Kusch, Genna
Lake, Sharon
Lam, Johnny
Langabeer & Mary Everall, Brian
Law, Alan
Law, Charles & Susan
Lawton Lee, Cindy
Lazier-Corbett Mary
Leavitt, Keitha W. & Ronald A.
Lee, Cindy
Lefebvre, Elizabeth
Lewis, D Dwight
Leyendeckers, Mary Emma
Liddon, Kenneth Ve
Lloyd, Betty
Longley & Wendy M. Murphy,
Edward F.
Lyon/Hierlihy, Catherine/Deborah
Maas, Willem & Donna
MacArthur, Donald R.
MacCallum, Marlene
MacDonald, Heather
MacDonald, Keith
& Eleanor
Malachowski, Marianne
Malo, Adele
Mann, Nora
Mason, David J. & Diana
Mather, Myrna
Mathers, Shelagh M.
Matthews, Louise (Betsy)
Matthews, Marjorie
Mayer, Karen & Gerry
McCagg, Estate of Wilma
McCormick, Shawn
McCreery, Judith
& William
McDonald, Susan
McDonald, Ted
MCDowell, William
McGregor, Ross
McIntosh, Carol
McKay, Patricia
McKittrick & Elyse Graff,
Robert S.
McLauchlin, Judie
McPhail, JA Keith
McQuillan, Mary Lou
Meder, Gordon & Mary
Mehrmann, Linda
Melnyk, Hannah
Mennacher, Peter
Mennacher, Peter & Alice
G.
Metson, Graham
Milne, Charleen
Minaker, Paul and Joyce
Mitchell, Virginia
Monday Morning Scribblers
Morris, Penny
Morris, J. Robert & Mary
Kay
Moss, Debra & William
Mulloy, Peter & Marian
Murdoch, Maggie
Murphy, Wendy M.
Murray W, Alexander
Neil, Hri
Neville, Barbara
Nightingale, Jan
Norris, Carol
Norton, Elmer & Barbara
Norval, Sandra
Noxon, Pamela
O’Connor, Matthew
O’Donoghue, Kathleen
Oliver, David
O’Reily, Caitlin
Parkin, Philip H.
Phillips, Patrick
Picard Nicole
Picton Home Hardware
Pierce Martin, Judith
Poitras, Chrissy
Potter, Garry & Patricia
Preston/Boorne, Anne K/
Dave
Prince Edward Auto Club
Prince Edward District Women’s
Institute
Prince Edward Hastings Provincial NDP
Prince Edward Radio
Club
Ralley, Karen
Randell, Elizabeth
Rankin, John
Rejdik, Juanita
Richardson, Gail & Larry
E.
Richardson, Krista
Rizewiski, Damaris
Robert & Judy H. Clark, Gilles
M.
Robins, Philip & Marilyn
Rodney, Patricia
Ross-Malcolm, Laurie
Rotary Club of Picton
Rotary Club of Wellington
Rowan Environmental Consulting Inc.
Ruggles-Bolton, Janice
Sage, Celia
Sahadat, Lynda Parks & Reverend Joseph
Sanders, Marianne
Sargeant, Brandon
Saveall, Bonnie M.
Self, Donald A.
Seymour, Thomas
Shannon, Mary Catherine &
Thomas
Shantz, Whitney & Andrew
Sharp, Vicki
Shortt, Tracy “Billy”
Shuttle, Caroline
Siminovitch, Eric
Simone, Salvatore
Simpson, David & Jane
Smith, Margaret E.
Smith, Rosemary
Snee, Gordon
Snip, Robin
Spencer, Larry
Squires, Susan
St. John’s Church Waupoos
Stafrace, Dawn
Stanley Martin
Stearman Bill
Stevens, Nancy
Stillo Oriella
Stormy’s Car Sales, 767565
Ontario Inc
Sulzenko, Jo-Anne
Sulzenko, Joanne C.
Sweet, Barbara
Sykes, Michelle
Synnett Connie & Michel
Taylor, Larry
TGI Strength
Theoret, Judy & Jean
Thomas, Wynne
Toews Joanne
Topping, Kyle
Townson/Parisi, Maureen/Joseph
Troop, Deborah
Tugwood Hilary
Vader, Noreen
VanBastelaar, Judith
Veevers, Nora-Lynn
Venchiarutti, Lauren
Wade, Celine & Phillip
Wake, Kato
Wakefield, Don
Wallis, Susan
Warren, Kenroy
Warrick, Susan
Watson, Nancy
Weese, Cheryl
Wellington Branch Friends of
the Library
Wellington District Lions
Club
Whistle Stop Productions
Inc.
Wiens, Carl
Williams, Edith
Williams, Joy
Williams, & Brett G. Fogg, Deirdre
Williams, Becky
Willis, Bob & Kathy
Wilmart-Collard, Helene and Bill
Women @ Round Noon
Wood, Myrna
Woodbridge, John &
Janet
Wright, Audrey
Wyatt, Colin H. & Barbara
Yarrow, Morris & Cecile
Yntema, Jacob
Zada, Mihal
Zylstra, Liz