February and March Programs at Haldimand County Public Library
The Haldimand County Public Library has some exciting programs coming up for the community. For further information on library programming, please contact Katrina Krupicz, Community Outreach/Inreach Coordinator, Haldimand County Public Library at 905-318-5932 ext. 6552, or by email at kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca.
March Break Children’s Programs Registration
Registration for all library branches’ 2024 March Break programming begins on Monday, February 12th . Register your children for special crafts, parties, Storytimes and more. Registration is available in-person only and is required for all activities. Program itineraries can be found at the library branch or on the library’s website.
Paws to Read
In partnership with Therapeutic Paws of Canada, the Library is offering an exciting literacy program designed to help children who would benefit from extra practice with their reading. Registered children come to the library each week at a pre-scheduled time and read to a certified team of dog and handler.
Children are encouraged to pick a book or books they enjoy or think the dog will enjoy and spend their 15-minute session reading to the specially-trained dog. Paws to Read dogs provide undivided attention to the children increasing a child’s confidence and boosting self-esteem in those who struggle to read aloud.
The program will be available at the Caledonia, Cayuga and Jarvis branches. Sessions run over four weeks and must be at the same time each week. Registration is required and space is limited. Interested participants can call the branch they wish to participate at or register in person. For more information, visit the library’s website.
Crafternoons 2024
Registration is now open at the Jarvis, Cayuga, Hagersville, Dunnville and Caledonia branches for Crafternoons – an adult-only crafting program during which participants are shown how to make a pre-selected craft. The program runs from 1-2 p.m. and all materials are provided unless stated otherwise. The cost to participate is $2. Registration is required and can be done at the library branches.
The February Crafternoon sessions will be making cuddly Valentine’s Day creatures. For more information, visit the Crafternoons page on the Library website.
February session dates:
- Jarvis branch – Tues., Feb. 15
- Caledonia branch – Tues., Feb. 20
- Hagersville branch – Wed., Feb. 21
- Dunnville branch – Thurs., Feb. 22
- Cayuga – Fri., Feb. 23
March’s craft will be “Easter Bunny Mason Jars”. View the Library’s website for specific dates and times!
Library Author Visit – Dunnville Branch
On Friday, February 23rd, local children’s author Trisha Keesmatt will be paying a visit to the Dunnville children’s Storytime group. Trisha will read from her new book The Hat Monster, and will chat with the children about the importance of being creative. Storytime will then continue with fun songs, activities and crafts.
Registration for Storytime is required. To attend this special Storytime in Dunnville, please register at the Dunnville Branch; the cost for a single Storytime registration is $1.00 Copies of The Hat Monster will also be available for purchase: $15 softcover or $24 hardcover.
Friends of the Caledonia Library
Looking to support your Caledonia Branch within a larger volunteer group? Friends of the Library organize fundraising activities, such as book sales, to generate monies to support library programs and enhance library collections and advocate for their local branch through various venues. To learn about how you can help and join our fledgling Caledonia group, drop by the Caledonia branch on Wednesday, February 28th at 6:30 pm for an information session. No commitment to the group is necessary and light refreshments will be provided.
Fraud Prevention Presentations
Join a representative of the Haldimand OPP at the Dunnville and Jarvis library branches to learn about the latest frauds and scams that are taking place in and around our community.
Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones and what to do if you suspect you may have fallen victim to a scammer.
Dunnville Branch (317 Chestnut S) – Monday March 4th at 1:00 pm
Jarvis Branch (2 Monson Street) – Thursday April 4th at 1:00 pm
Registration is not mandatory but is recommended and can be done in person at the Dunnville and Jarvis Branches or by phone, 289-674-0400. Light refreshments will be provided.
Drop-In Service Canada Clinics
Beginning March 6th, a Service Canada representative will be at the Hagersville Branch on the first Wednesday of the month, from 10am to 3pm, to assist residents with various federal services, including applications for new or replacement social insurance numbers (SIN), setting up a My Service Canada account, applying for CPP and OAS benefits, Child and Family Benefits, and more.
At the clinics in March, April and May there will also be Canadian Revenue Agency representative to answer and support your tax questions.
No appointments are necessary.
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
In partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency, the Library is offering free income tax filing services by trained volunteers as part of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. This tax program will be offered by drop-off only, at the Caledonia, Jarvis, Cayuga, Hagersville, and Selkirk branches. The free tax clinics will run from March 1st to April 12th, 2024.
To be eligible for this free tax filing service, participants must be:
- Single, with an annual income of $30,000 or less;
- Married couple, with a combined annual income of $40,000 or less;
- Single adult with dependents, with an annual income of $35,000 or less (plus an additional $2,500 per dependent);
- Individual with less than $1,000 investment income.
Once participants drop off materials and complete the necessary forms, all materials will be delivered to a volunteer by library staff. Upon completion of the tax files, participants will be called back to the library to pick up their completed forms. If any questions should arise during the process, a volunteer will contact participants by phone.
Eclipse Information Sessions and Protective Eyewear Information Sessions
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth. Total eclipses are extremely rare and on April 8, 2024, Haldimand County will be one of the best spots on the continent to view the next solar eclipse. The Haldimand County Public Library will be hosting TWO information sessions regarding this natural phenomenon.
On Thursday March 14th at 6:30 pm, join a representative from McMaster University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Caledonia Branch to explore eclipses and learn more about how to safely enjoy this spectacular event. This session is open to all members of the public, regardless of age. No registration is required.
A second information session will be held on Tuesday March 19th at 6:00pm at the Hagersville This information session will be hosted by amateur astronomer Ryan Snyder, who will explain how eclipses occur, fill you in on how to best view the April 8 event, and provide tips and tricks to photographing the eclipse. Please contact the Hagersville Library to secure your spot as spaces are limited.
Solar Eclipse Protective Eyewear
Looking directly at a total solar eclipse is dangerous to your eyes. Although painless and not immediately apparent, irreparable eye damage can occur when viewing an eclipse without protection.
To safely view the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the Haldimand County Public Library, in partnership with Haldimand County and McMaster University, will be handing out FREE protective eye gear to members of the pubic starting Thursday, February 22nd.
To get your free pair of viewing glasses, visit your local library branch and ask at the service counter. These glasses will only be available while supplies last.
One Book, One Haldimand 2024 Selection:
Flee, Fly, Flown by Janet Hepburn
Join fellow Haldimand County readers by participating in this year’s One Book One Haldimand!
One Book One Haldimand is an annual, community-wide reading program which encourages individuals across Haldimand County to read a selected Canadian title and join the author and other community members for an evening of exciting discussion.
This year’s selection is Flee, Fly, Flown, written by local author Janet Hepburn,
“When Lillian and Audrey hatch a plot to escape from Tranquil Meadows Nursing Home, “borrow” a car, and spend their hastily planned vacation time driving to destinations west, they aren’t fully aware of the challenges they will face. All they know is that the warm days of August call to them, and the need to escape the daily routines and humiliations of nursing home life has become overwhelming. Flushed with the success of their escape plan, they set out on their journey having forgotten that their memory problems might make driving and following directions difficult. Their trip is almost over before it begins, until they meet up with the unsuspecting Rayne, a young man also heading west in hope of reconciling with his family. As Lillian and Audrey try to take back the control that time and dementia has taken from them, Rayne realizes the truth of their situation. But it’s too late – he has fallen under the spell of these two funny, brave women and is willing to be a part of their adventure, wherever it leads them.” – Book Cover
Copies of Flee, Fly, Flown are available at your local Haldimand County Library branch in print format, from the Library’s Libby digital service in e-book format, and from the Library’s CloudLibrary digital service in both e-book and digital audiobook format. Pop in or visit us online to borrow a copy or call 289-674-0400 to reserve one.
Service Disruption – New Elevator system to be installed at the Dunnville Library
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Replacement of the current elevator system, originally installed in 1983, will commence this March at Haldimand County Public Library Dunnville Branch (317 Chestnut St.). Replacement work is scheduled to begin Thursday, March 7 and will continue to approximately April 30th, 2024.
The branch will remain open to the public throughout this process. No elevator service will be available for the duration of the project and there will also be no access to the Alder Street entrance and its stairwell to the second floor. Visitors will be able to enter and exit the building through the Chestnut Street doors or parking lot (rear) doors and use an alternate staircase to the second floor children’s department. Staff will readily retrieve materials from the second floor for individuals who experience mobility limitations. Alternatively, patrons may request curbside pickup services and can always remotely browse the library’s collection, place holds, and renew items through the library’s online catalogue. Library programs, including March Break Children’s activities, Babysitting Courses, and Book Clubs will proceed as scheduled in the Garfield Disher Room (main floor). Some noise and dust is expected throughout the project and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Project-related noises may also impact telephone calls.
To find construction updates, access the library catalogue, or learn about library programs and events, please visit our website www.haldimandlibrary.ca or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.