When the first thing you hear on entering the Stratford Library is not silence, but the lively strains of ukulele music, you know that library etiquette has sure changed!
Ashley McCluskey-Douse, Stratford’s Branch Library Technician wants to make it very clear. “Libraries are much more than books these days. No more shushing,” she says.
In fact, Stratford’s library seems to function more like a lively community centre, conveniently located next to No Frills grocery with parking right at the door. “Some people think of it as the ‘drive-through’ library,” says Ashley, “and we even hear that a few folks from Charlottetown choose to borrow books here due to our very convenient location.”
But convenience is only one factor in the huge popularity of the town library. The number of programs, directed to all ages and interests, is actually too large to mention here, and new projects are often added, so Ashley encourages Stratford residents to watch the Town’s Facebook site, or sign up for xxxx newsletter in order to stay abreast of all the exciting events coming up.
Summer is one of the busiest seasons, with as many as 150 participants in the TD Summer Reading Club. Stickers, booklets and social time lead to keen young readers in the program which offers daily sessions with reading aloud and book talk for kids. But you don’t have to know how to read to learn to love the library, “Wiggle, Giggle, Read” is just about like it sounds and ages 0 to 3 are welcome for the Thursday morning sessions. “We have customers that pretty much span all ages,” said Ashley. “Recently a 90-year old signed up for their first library card!”
Today, literacy goes well beyond books and the computer terminals are much in demand as is the tech assistance program offered by library staff. As well kids come in to develop fine motor and imagination skills with Lego, or participate in the Brilliant Labs STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) camps. Besides the weekly ukulele singalong, you might find English as a second language tutoring taking place, or activities that merge books with art.
So, as Ashley says, the library is much more than books – did you know you can borrow: a yoga mat, snowshoes, telescopes, fit kits, play kits, DVDs, and yes, even book club kits. What’s very cool for families in summer – you can borrow a Heritage Pass for free admission to one of PEI Museum and Heritage’s seven sites!