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Biblio File

  • The Biblio File: Library News (6/19/2023)

    The Biblio File
    June 19, 2023

    Huge congratulations to the Pinawa Secondary School graduating class of 2023!  All of your hard work has paid off and we are so proud of you all!  We will miss seeing you around the school – please come back and visit us at the PPL!

    As the school year winds down we would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to all of our awesome volunteers that make the library possible – we wouldn’t be here without you!

  • The Biblio File: Library News (6/12/2023)

    The Biblio File
    June 12, 2023

    What a nice day it was on Saturday for a walk by the river, down the StoryWalk, to the unveiling of the Little Free Library!

    A big thank you to Lisa Thomas at the Solo Market for sponsoring the refreshments at the Little Free Library grand opening!  More big thank yous to the LGD Public Works for setting up the base for the library and the volunteers who placed the little cottage on the base.  Thank you to Lisa Krupka for leading the StoryWalk, Rich Hamon the Bubble Man, Stu Iverson for taking pictures, and to any and all of the other awesome helpers that made the Little Library possible!  And speaking of making it possible – thank you again George Gibson for creating and building the beautiful little cottage to fill with books!  And of course thank you to all of the people who came out on Saturday for the unveiling!

    The winner of our grand opening book draw is Leon!  He can be seen here generously donating a book to the little library!  Leon, your own copy of the StoryWalk book, “Little Beaver and the Echo”, will be waiting for you at the library.

  • The Biblio File: Library News (6/5/2023)

    The Biblio File
    June 5, 2023

     

    Please join us for the opening celebration of our Little Free Library!

    Where and when? Saturday June 10th at 2:00 at the pergola on Willis Drive in Pinawa.

    Lisa Krupka will guide us through the new StoryWalk story “Beaver and the Echo” to the Little Free Library for a short speech and the unveiling!

    Bubble Man Rich Hamon will lead us back to the pergola for watermelon, cookies and water.

    Please feel free to bring along a book for the little library if you’d like!

    Side bonus: wrack up some participACTION points!

    We hope to see you there!

     

    Need some motivation and inspiration for the participACTION community challenge?  Come down and check out our new display!

     

  • The Biblio File: Library News (5/29/2023)

    The Biblio File
    May 29, 2023

    Save the date! Exciting news!

    If you have been walking by the river lately you might have wondered about the platform at the end of the Story Walk.  Is it a small bench? Is it a dinner table for elves? No! It’s the future home of our Little Free Library!  Join us on Saturday, June 10th at 2:00 for the grand opening!

    Rumour has it that “The Bubble Man” will be at the grand opening as well – stay tuned for further details!

    Can you believe that it’s already almost June?  Almost time for exams?  Almost the end of the school year??  If you are looking for a quiet, air conditioned place to study come on over to the PPL.  We have the lounge, comfy couches and work tables as well as 2 public computers.

     

  • The Biblio File: Library News (5/22/2023)

    The Biblio File
    May 22, 2023

    Community Legal Education Association is offering two more free webinars:

    Monday June 5th from 12:00 – 1:00:  Wills, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives. This webinar will discuss essential information to gather and questions to consider before having a will made.  Learn what your will should include, the formal requirements for making a will, whom you should name as your executor, and what happens if you die and you do not have a will.  Important information about Powers of Attorney and Heath Care Directives will also be included.

    Wednesday June 7th from 12:00 – 1:00: Family Law:  Collaborative Practice, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.  Participants will gain valuable insights into these approaches, exploring their benefits, process, and potential outcomes.

    These webinars are free, but you will need to register at www.communitylegal.mb.ca

    The library ghost has chosen a new book to leave on the floor this morning, possibly too heavy to put back on the shelf.  One can only assume that he wanted a long read to take him through the long weekend.

    “The Prince of Tides is a novel by Pat Conroy, first published in 1986. It revolves around traumatic events that affected former football player Tom Wingo’s relationship with his immediate family. As Tom grapples with his twin sister’s attempted suicide and the absence of his charismatic older brother Luke, the story outlines life in the south and the events that threaten to tear Tom’s family apart. The novel was adapted into a 1991 American film of the same name.” Wikipedia.

  • The Biblio File: Library News (5/15/2023)

    The Biblio File
    May 15, 2023

    What do you think of book clubs?  What are some excellent reasons for joining one?  Why do most people join?  To socialize?  To read something outside of their comfort zone?  To eat cookies?   Do some clubs have a theme?  How do you decide what to read?  Let’s discuss!

    High of 29 degrees today they say.  We try not to complain about the heat when it’s been a long winter… but if you’d like to enjoy some books in a comfortable air conditioned space – we are here for you!

     

  • The Biblio File: Library News (5/8/2023)

    The Biblio File
    May 8, 2023

    A new interactive tactile display has been set up!  Bring the kiddos down to the library to learn about astronomy through play!

    May is Community Project Month through the Pinawa Foundation.  This year the PPL is looking for help funding StoryWalk:  Phase 2!

    This phase includes raising funds to install a granite slab foundation for our new Little Free Library!  This beautiful little cottage, created and built by George Gibson, will be placed adjacent to the Ironwood Trail near the end of the StoryWalk. We are also hoping to purchase secure, weather-proof holders for the story boards.

    Donations can be made to the Pinawa Foundation in support of this project.  For the month of May the Pinawa Foundation will stretch donations by 40%!   The Foundation accepts cheques or etransfer to fndlyc@mymts.net.   The Foundation asks that email and mailing addresses be provided when donating, for tax purposes.  Please mention the Pinawa Public Library on your donation as the project you’d like to support.  Tax receipts will be issued for donations of  $25.00 and over.

    Please check out the Pinawa Foundation for a list of the other great projects going on around the community.  Thank you for your support!!

     

  • The Biblio File: Library News (5/1/2023)

    The Biblio File
    May 1, 2023

    While looking for some May themed inspirations we came across one that said:

    Make this month count
    Accomplish your goals
    You can do this.

    This is all very nice but we wanted to come up with a bookish version:

    Make sure you carve out some daily reading time
    Always have a book with you
    You are never alone when you have a good book

    It’s harder than it looks – thank goodness it’s not September!

    What are STEM toys?  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

    STEM toys are designed to be both fun and educational. They encourage children to think creatively, use their imagination, and solve problems – the best way to learn is through play!  At the library we have a whole cupboard of STEM toys that will keep your littles occupied while learning important skills at the same time.  That’s a win!

  • The Biblio File: Library News (4/24/2023)

    The Biblio File
    April 24, 2023

    Any guesses on why the library didn’t realize that yesterday was World Book Day?  Because at the library every day is book day!  World Book and Copyright Day is a celebration to promote the enjoyment of books and reading. Each year on April 23rd celebrations take place all over the world to recognize the scope of books.  Books not only provide enjoyment, but an important link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures. This date was chosen because it also coincides with the birthdays and deaths of several prominent authors, including William Shakespeare. UNESCO officially recognized and adopted April 23 as World Book and Copyright Day in 1995.

    How did you celebrate Earth Day this weekend?  There are a lot of simple ways that we can make every day Earth Day.  Bike more and drive less.  Educate yourself and others about the importance of our Earth’s resources.  Cut down on what you throw away – there is no “away”… garbage is just moved from one spot to another.  Use less water.  Compost.  Buy less plastic, be mindful of packaging and use a reusable shopping bag.  Plant a tree.  Don’t use toxic cleaning products – homemade cleaners are better for the environment AND cost less.  Pick up garbage.  Turn off lights when you leave a room.  Borrow books from a library.  Remember, there is no Planet B.

    You do not want to miss the Pinawa Spring Market this Saturday, April 29th from 10:00 – 3:00 at the Community Centre!  The Library will also be open during the market with tons of books for sale – these are a serious bargain and help raise funds for the library – win win!  Don’t forget to bring a reusable shopping bag or 10!

  • The Biblio File: Library News (4/17/2023)

    The Biblio File
    April 17, 2023

    There is a new story featured along the Storywalk!

    “One fine morning, a rooster sets off to see the world.  Soon he’s joined by two cats, then three frogs, then four turtles, then five fish.  But one group by one, his new friends decide to head home, leaving the rooster alone again — and ready to return to his own comfortable home as well.”  This story offers a simple introduction to number sets, addition, and subtraction, and like all of Eric Carle’s work, is told with colorful collage illustrations.   Enjoy!

    We would like to extend a huge thank you to Healthy Together Now who provided the grant for start-up funds to make the Storywalk possible, and to S. Thompson Designs Inc. for the always amazing work on the story boards.

     

     

  • The Biblio File: Library News (4/10/2023)

    The Biblio File
    April 10, 2023

    Thank you Tanco!  Tanco has generously provided funding to the PPL to help create our interactive displays!  Make sure to come down and check these out – a neat experience for kids to read a book then be able to act it out with cute tactile pieces!

    We are reluctant to mention the possibility of spring again (look what happened last time!)…but is it here?  This week we can open up windows, sweep off the deck, maybe grab a cup of coffee and read a book…outside!  Hiding from the snow can often result in a depletion of the TBR pile and we can’t have that – make sure to come by this week and take out a few books to enjoy in the sunshine!

     

  • The Biblio File: Library News (4/3/2023)

    The Biblio File
    April 3, 2023

    Please note that the library will be closed Friday, April 7th to Sunday, April 9, 2023 inclusive.  We will re-open Monday, April 10th at 6:30!

     

      

    Ducks by Kate Beaton has won Canada Reads 2023This is an autobiographical graphic memoir that recounts Beaton’s time spent working in the Alberta oil sands.  It was decided that this book best fits this year’s theme as the “one book to shift your perspective.” After getting a job in the camps to pay off her student debt, she recounts her experiences with economic migration, sexism and environmental destruction.

    This is the first time that a graphic novel has won this title.

    Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel was the runner-up.  Station Eleven is a dystopian novel that takes place on an Earth undone by disease, following the interconnected lives of several characters — actors, artists and those closest to them —before and after the plague.  One travels the wasteland performing Shakespearean plays with a troupe, while another attempts to build community at an abandoned airport and another amasses followers for a dangerous cause.

  • The Biblio File: Library News (3/27/2023)

    The Biblio File
    March 27, 2023

    Happy spring break everyone!  Whether you are away or on a staycation we hope you have lots of reading material – what a perfect time to relax with a good book!  Need more to read?  We can help.

    Who’s ready to spring clean??  It’s time to open up those windows, clean, organize and de-clutter!  Don’t know where to start?  The PPL has books on all these topics to help you along.

    Is there a chance you might find yourself with an excess of books after your spring clean? (Anyone sensing a theme here?).  Marie Kondo (organization guru) suggests that a person should have a maximum of 30 books.  We are sure she must mean on your nightstand because that can’t possibly be true for a house!  But if you find yourself overflowing in books you no longer want, please consider donating them to the library.  We sell new and nearly new books year-round as an ongoing fund raiser.

    To our generous patrons to who donate books (you know who you are) – we can’t thank you enough for this support and for thinking of us!

  • The Biblio File: Library News (3/20/2023)

    The Biblio File
    March 20, 2023

    Happy first day of spring!  We are sure there is some green under there somewhere.  Okay maybe brown but soon to be green!  Is it too soon to start planting inside?  What are the best plants, flowers or veggies to start inside and when?  Drop by the library and check out our new display highlighting gardening and plants in Manitoba.  Time for some inspiration!

    We are hoping to start a seed library at the PPL!  We will see what the interest is and how it goes.  Right now we will start out with a small basket to “Take a packet, leave a packet!” The perfect idea to kick off spring!

    Pinawa’s 60th birthday is coming up!  Are you planning an event or interested in some of the town’s history, people and news?  The library has bound copies of the Pinawa newspapers and PSS yearbooks.  Come on over and leaf through these interesting and often fun archives!  80’s hair anyone?  You know who you are.

    Community Legal Education Association has the following webinars scheduled for March:

    Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 12:00-1:30: Creating a Culture of Consent in the Workplace.

    Friday, March 24, 2023 from 12:00-1:00: Changes in Family Law.

    All webinars are free but you must register.  Please check their website www.communitylegal.mb.ca to register for a webinar, to check for upcoming webinars, or for more information.

  • The Biblio File: Library News (3/13/2023)

    The Biblio File
    March 13, 2023

    Librarian book review!

    Shamefully, I will more often than not judge a book by its cover.  I’m sorry to say that if I hadn’t been researching this years’ list for Canada Reads I likely would have overlooked Greenwood by Michael Christie.   Lesson learned!


    “They come for the trees.
     It’s 2038 and Jacinda (Jake) Greenwood is a storyteller and a liar, an overqualified tour guide babysitting ultra-rich-eco-tourists in one of the world’s last remaining forests. It’s 2008 and Liam Greenwood is a carpenter, sprawled on his back after a workplace fall and facing the possibility of his own death. It’s 1974 and Willow Greenwood is just out of jail for one of her environmental protests: attempts at atonement for the sins of her father’s once vast and rapacious timber empire. It’s 1934 and Everett Greenwood is a Depression-era drifter who saves an abandoned infant, only to find himself tangled up in the web of a crime, secrets, and betrayal that will cling to his family for decades. And throughout, there are trees: a steady, silent pulse, working as a guiding metaphor for withering, weathering, and survival.”

    It was the mention of the beautiful trees in British Columbia that first drew me to this book.  The author has done an amazing job of featuring them as the constant but underlying star of the show.  He writes in a way that makes you want to slow down and appreciate the words.  I very much enjoyed this intertwined family saga and felt a renewed appreciation for our forests – it doesn’t hurt to be reminded that they are quite literally at the root of our survival.

    Need to do some printing?  At the library we charge 25 cents per page for black & white pages and $1.00 per page for color pages.

  • The Biblio File: Library News (3/6/2023)

    The Biblio File
    March 6, 2023

    Human Trafficking is an illegal trade in persons, often for the purpose of sexual slavery, servitude or forced labour. Trafficking and exploitation of children, youth and adults are of great concern in Manitoba. Human trafficking doesn’t have to involve crossing borders. And it’s not just a foreign problem, it’s happening right now in communities across Canada.

    ‘It is estimated that hundreds of children, youth and adults are victimized in the visible sex trade on the streets of Winnipeg and other cities each year. It is also estimated that thousands are victimized in the invisible sex trade that takes place in hidden venues such as private homes and drug houses located throughout the province. Most adult sex trade workers report that their victimization began at a very young age; sometimes as young as 9, and at an average age of 14.’ (Source: https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/how.html)

    Survivor’s Hope wants to help Manitobans be aware of this day by asking businesses and other agencies to light up highly visible windows to the public, or common areas, with white lights to show awareness on this day and to shed light on the importance of ending human trafficking in Manitoba.

    If you would like to bring awareness to this illegal and unfortunately common issue we are facing in Manitoba, please reach out to Chantal (at chantal@survivors-hope.ca or at 204-232-1477), and she will drop off white lights and an information poster (locally) for March 16.

    March 8th is International Women’s Day – a global day organized annually to recognize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.   This day is a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.  Our newest book display highlights these important issues.

  • The Biblio File: Library News (2/27/2023)

    The Biblio File
    February 27, 2023

    New at the library!  The radon detector loan program for short term home screening.

    Radon is formed by the breakdown of uranium, which is found in soil, water and rocks.  Since radon is a gas, it can escape from the ground.  In outdoor air, radon is diluted very quickly and is not a concern.  However, in enclosed spaces like homes, it can become trapped and accumulate to high levels, which creates a health risk.  The radon detector loan program provides an opportunity to learn about radon, to conduct short term screening to help understand how levels may vary, and if necessary, outlines further steps to take.  The kit includes a short term digital radon detector and an informational packet.  This test works best in the heating months (i.e. winter) when windows and doors are usually closed.

    These devices have been provided by the Manitoba Lung Association and the booklet by Jen Kendall, MLIS, Portage la Prairie Regional Library.

    Hometown proud!  Check out Amber Faucher’s book, Sheltered Waters, set right here in Pinawa.

    Ignorance may be bliss… but some secrets should never be forgotten.  When Amelia Ross’s tedious daily routines are upset by discovering the ghost of a teenage girl, she finds herself stuck between the annoying antics of the spirit and the excitement of helping her cross over to whatever lies beyond. While trying to locate the ghost’s remains, Amelia begins to uncover that there’s more at play than just a moody teen and the scary thrill of solving a possible murder. Dark forces gather, blurring the lines between the realms of life and death, threatening her family and her way of life. Putting herself, her marriage, and her sanity on the line to find resolution, she learns more than she ever wanted to know about the quiet little town on the edge of the Manitoban wilderness… and herself.

    You will be torn between what you know, and what you think you know … Amber’s book will keep you guessing until the very end!

  • The Biblio File: Library News (2/20/2023)

    The Biblio File
    February 20, 2023

    Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, a guarantee under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

    Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in the United Kingdom. Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.

    The 2023 theme for Black History Month is: “Ours to tell”. This theme represents both an opportunity to engage in open dialogue and a commitment to learning more about the stories Black communities in Canada have to tell about their histories, successes, sacrifices and triumphs.  Drop by the library to see our book display honouring this.

     

    We are very pleased to announce that the finishing touch has been added to our library patio lounge!  Make sure you come by to see the beautiful new mural that completes this space!  The library was thrilled to commission local artist Karly Owens for this timeless art that will beautify the space for years to come.

    Community Legal Education Association is a charitable organization that provides free legal information to Manitobans.  These services help individuals better understand our legal system and how to resolve their legal issues.

    The following webinars are available in February.  All webinars are free but you must register.  Please check their website to register for a webinar, for upcoming webinars, or for more information.

    Tuesday, February 21, 12 – 1 pm – Law in the Library – Wills with Wayne Rose (in partnership with the Winnipeg Public Library)

    Thursday, February 23, 12 – 1:30 pm – Technology Assisted Violence and Teen Dating, with Dr. Amber Merucci

    Tuesday, February 28, 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Employment Law with Peter Mueller

    Tuesday, March 7, 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Copyright Law with Althea Wheeler

     

  • The Biblio File: Library News (2/13/2023)

    The Biblio File
    February 13, 2023

    Have you ever gone on a blind date with a book?  Why not try a new author or genre on Valentine’s Day?  Never read sci-fi?  Haven’t tried historical fiction?  Break out of your comfort zone and give something new a try.  Let us know how your date went!

    The Canada Reads shortlist has been announced! The debates will take place March 27-30, 2023.

    Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton, is an autobiographical graphic novel that recounts her time spent working in the Alberta oil sands. With the goal of paying off her student loans, Beaton leaves her tight-knit seaside Nova Scotia community and heads west, where she encounters harsh realities, including the everyday trauma that no one discusses.  Beaton draws colossal machinery and mammoth vehicles set against a sublime Albertan backdrop of wildlife, northern lights, and boreal forest. This is an untold story of Canada: a country that prides itself on its egalitarian ethos and natural beauty while simultaneously exploiting both the riches of its land and the humanity of its people.

    In the novel Greenwood by Michael Christie it’s the year 2038 and most of the world has suffered from an environmental collapse.  Jacinda (Jake) Greenwood is a storyteller and a liar, an overqualified tour guide babysitting ultra-rich-eco-tourists in one of the world’s last remaining forests. It’s 2008 and Liam Greenwood is a carpenter, sprawled on his back after a workplace fall and facing the possibility of his own death. It’s 1974 and Willow Greenwood is just out of jail for one of her environmental protests: attempts at atonement for the sins of her father’s once vast and rapacious timber empire. It’s 1934 and Everett Greenwood is a Depression-era drifter who saves an abandoned infant, only to find himself tangled up in the web of a crime, secrets, and betrayal that will cling to his family for decades. And throughout, there are trees: a steady, silent pulse, working as a guiding metaphor for withering, weathering, and survival.

    In Hotline by Dimitri Nasrallah it’s 1986 and Muna Heddad and her son have moved to Montreal, leaving behind a civil war filled with bad memories in Lebanon.  She had plans to find work as a French teacher, but no one in Quebec trusts her to teach the language. She needs to start making money, and fast. The only work Muna can find is at a weight-loss center as a hotline operator. These strangers have so much to say about their challenges, from marriages gone bad to personal inadequacies. Although her life in Canada is filled with invisible barriers, Muna is privy to her clients’ deepest secrets.

    Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a horror novel set in 1950s Mexico. It tells the story of a young woman named Noemí who is called by her cousin to save her from doom in her countryside home, the mysterious and alluring High Place. Noemí doesn’t know much about the house, the region or her cousin’s mysterious new husband, but she’s determined to solve this mystery and save her cousin — whatever it takes.

    Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel is a dystopian novel that takes place on an Earth undone by disease, following the interconnected lives of several characters — actors, artists and those closest to them — before and after the plague. One travels the wasteland performing Shakespearean plays with a troupe, while another attempts to build community at an abandoned airport and another amasses followers for a dangerous cause.

  • The Biblio File: Library News (2/6/2023)

    The Biblio File
    February 6, 2023

    The week of February 5-11th is International Development Week.  Each year the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation curate two book lists – one for young readers and one for adult readers.  The themes of these books include social justice, perseverance, Indigenous voices and other subjects related to human rights around the world.   These lists, along with some of the books on them, are our new display at the library.

    There is a new story featured along the Storywalk!  The Mitten is a Ukrainian folktale, adapted and illustrated by Jan Brett.  In this cute story, Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, and goes on without realizing that it is missing.  One by one, woodland animals find the mitten and crawl in; first a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last.  This book is also featured on our interactive tactile table inside the library.

    Follow us on Instagram! @pinawalibrary and @pinawastorywalk