By Whitney Shantz
With the New Year comes another exciting season of programs and services for Prince Edward County children! Whether you’re expecting or caring for a newborn, now’s the time to pick up a free literacy package and library card for your little one.
Did you know that every baby who is born in or moves to the County, is invited to visit any of our six library branches to receive a new book, music CD and more in a child-size book bag? It’s all part of Books for County Babies, a program initiated by the Friends of Wellington Branch Library and now supported by all of our Friends groups across the County. The project is currently led by Dianne Cranshaw, retired Wellington Branch Library librarian and Nancy Puddy, who are both members of the Friends of Wellington Branch Library.
Along with the literacy bag, parents are invited to sign their child up for a free library card that they can use to access to thousands of children’s titles, DVDs, CDs, eBooks, audiobooks, streamed videos as well as free internet access at all of the branches! We truly believe that it’s never too soon to start using the library!
New Toddler Time at the Wellington Branch Library
Along with your new library card and literacy bag, children 0+ and their caregiver can take part in a cool new library program! Starting on Wednesday, February 1st, I’ll host ‘Toddler Time’ from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the Wellington Branch Library. The 6-week program will include an interactive story time, craft, music and even a snack.
Want to know what we’re doing each week? Check out the ‘Prince Edward County Library Kids’ Space’ on Facebook where I’ll be posting a sneak peek at the songs and stories we’ll be using. The page is also a great way to find out what’s happening for children at the County library and we use it to notify you of any inclement weather changes to programs. Speaking of weather…don’t forget that ALL PEC Library branches remain open whenever we can even when the buses are cancelled. If we have to close, we’ll post on social media with plenty of notice. So if you’re looking for ways to occupy the littles (and the not-so- littles), why not bring them over to your local branch to check out a good book, use the internet or play in the children’s area. Branch locations and operating hours are available at peclibrary.org/locations.
March Break Camp registration starts Feb 1 st !
We’ve got some star-struck, spectacular programs planned for March Break. Visit the Picton branch on Monday, March 13th at 5:00 pm for dinner and show! The comedy magic duo of Brent and Sarah will entertain the masses and Prince Edward Pizza will feed hungry tummies. While the event is free, space is limited, so be sure to arrive early.
Kids 6+ are sure to enjoy theatre and film camps at the Picton and Wellington branches. They’ll write a script, design costumes and props, act and even do the editing for a short film. For more information check out peclibrary.org/events.
On Saturday, March 18th the 2nd annual PEC Public Library Short Film Festival will feature all films made by the PEC Library’s theatre and filmmaker clubs and the 2017 March Break camps! March Break Camp registration opens on Wednesday, February 1st . For more info, contact Tracy at (613) 399-2023 or register@peclibrary.org.