News

Bridge Building Challenge

Karen Scott

Here's an engineering challenge that will keep the kids engaged for quite a while: have them build a bridge that will hold a certain amount of weight.

Finding Reality in Fiction

Coleen McFarlane

Often as I am reading a novel, I want to learn about the “real bits” I find embedded in the fiction. When I read Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, I immediately wanted to look at the art work of Johannes Vermeer.  It is like the connection you make to a particular city you wish to visit after reading a novel – like New Orleans and Anne Rice’s the Vampire Chronicles.

Staff Picks: In the Dream House

Catherine

Karen Nordrum of our Tamworth Branch recently read In the Dream House, a heart-wrenching memoir by Her Body and Other Stories author Carmen Maria Machado. Here is Karen's review:

Digital Fitness Resources

Coleen McFarlane

With recreational facilities (including gyms, sports fields and playgrounds) closed in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19, you and your family may be looking for alternatives to keep physically fit. The library offers a variety of fitness options online - all free with your library card.

Access Ancestry.com Remotely

Catherine

Update: remote Ancestry Library Edition access is now available until the end of 2020 and will be continually reassessed as public libraries remain closed. 

Ancestry Library Edition provides access to billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more.

Ramadan Mubarak

Coleen McFarlane

Ramadan started on April 24th this year and although fasting, prayer, spiritual reflection and doing good deeds will continue to occur, it will surely be challenging not to be able to visit with family during this time of social isolation.

To learn more about the holiday, try some of these children's titles from our digital catalogue:

Science Can Be Fun!

Karen Scott

Are you looking for ways to keep your elementary-aged kids engaged and having fun, while possibly learning something at the same time?  Why not let them try exploring some scientific concepts -- they can do these on their own, or you could get involved and have some fun together.

Reading Resolution Revival

Coleen McFarlane

We are close to five months in from January's New Year's resolutions – how are you doing?  I have to admit, I have not achieved my reading goals for 2020, however, there is still time. If a reading resolution did not work out for you, why not revive with a reading challenge?

If you need some inspiration on how to achieve this, try these resources to reboot your resolution:

Picture Books for Tough Emotions

Catherine

Emotions are running high these days and children are certainly not immune. Picture books are a great way to explain big concepts to very young children, and give them a way to understand the feelings they can’t quite fully articulate. With continuing recognition of worry, grief and mood disorders in early childhood, parents may choose to turn to literature to help explain these concepts along with coping mechanisms.

STEAM Quest at Home

Karen Scott

Are you looking for some fun and easy STEM activities you can do with your child or children with ingredients you probably already have at home? These have all been tried and tested at the library, so you know they'll work!

How about a simple, two ingredient play-dough? Just mix equal parts corn starch and hair conditioner (any brand), for a soft and silky dough that moulds easily, isn't sticky (if it is, just add more corn starch!), smells wonderful, and is easy to clean up.