AT THE LIBRARY: Connecting with the community at the library

February is a month of many celebrations to warm up a winter’s moment – beginning with African Heritage Month to Heart Health Month, followed by Valentine’s Day, then Nova Scotia Heritage Day, and wrapping up the month with Freedom to Read Week.

This year, the theme for AHM is Our Smiles, Our Joy, Our Resilience as African Nova Scotians, and outlines the spirit of perseverance that people of African descent have demonstrated over the centuries in our province. This African Heritage Month, we celebrate African heritage and culture and their incredible spirit to overcome many challenges. To learn more about this year’s celebrations across the province, please visit the Black Cultural Centre’s website, ahm.bccnsweb.com/wp/home. We invite all to visit AHM displays at the library, check out the library’s collection, and experience the artwork, “Inclusion” (2023) by the Vale Quilters Association on display in the children’s area of the Stellarton Library.

Love crafting? Drop by the art tables at our libraries in Stellarton and Westville for weekly fun activities. The Trenton Library’s drop-in Crafternoon is painting Valentine Rocks on Feb. 8 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The River John Library has a drop-in Valentine’s Day Card Making workshop with Abby on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. The New Glasgow Library is offering a drop-in Valentine’s Crafting Day on Feb.14 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Antigonish Library’s Adult Craft night features a Mandala Workshop with Neeti on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. (registration required). And this month’s Art on Display in the bistro area of the Antigonish Library features the photography of Rodney Tate.

Questions about heart healthy choices? Drop by and join us for an upcoming presentation at the library. Lisa Cook, RN, with the One Door Centre, will be dropping by the Pictou Library on Feb. 13 at 1:30 p.m. to share tips on Heart Health and Exercise. Annabelle Cameron, RHN, will share a presentation on “Breakfast, Grains & Movement” on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. Susan LeBonde-Turner, BScHN, with the One Door Centre, will share a presentation on Heart Healthy Diets at the Pictou Library on Feb. 27 at 1:30 p.m.

Wondering what Freedom to Read Week is? FtRW is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom and freedom of expression. For more information, to participate in an event or watch one of their upcoming online seminars, please visit: www.freedomttoread.ca . And drop by the library to check out displays from Feb. 18 to 24.

Are you an aspiring writer? We have weekly Writers Groups who meet at the library on Sundays from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the Antigonish Library, and Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Trenton Library. This month’s writing workshop at the Trenton Library is “Making Writing Playful” with Michelle Robinson on Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. (seating is limited, and registration is required).

Please note, all library locations will be closed for Nova Scotia Heritage Day on Monday, Feb. 19. For more information on all our upcoming library programs and services, please call or drop by your local library, follow us on X (Twitter) and Instagram, find us on Facebook, or visit us online.