Reading is a skill for life and, as with any skill, practice is key. The Reading Buddies program can help with this. Elementary school children will be matched with a cool high school volunteer who will receive training before and during the program. Kids will have lots of fun improving their literacy skills while teens get an opportunity to earn some valuable community service hours!

The program runs for 8 weeks, in October and November, and busy families have two options to choose from: Tuesdays (6:30-7:30pm) or Wednesdays (3:30-4:30pm). Registration closes September 25^th but don’t wait until then – it is being offered on a first come, first serve basis, and will be based on the total number of children or volunteers that register. And it is really affordable too – only $20 per child – which includes a drink/snack, a free library card and overdue fines will be forgiven (volunteers too)!

A big thank you to the sponsor of our Reading Buddies program ~ LIFE’S JOURNEY FINANCIAL SERVICES ~ Tracy Evans (B.A. CFP) & Tonia Ferguson (CB); www.LifesJourneyFinancial.ca; (905) 852-0017.

Please visit www.uxlib.com for more details and to download an application, or simply stop by the Children’s desk next time you are in to pick one up! And don’t forget – our staff is ready to help you and your child find just the right book, any day of the week.

SATURDAY APRIL 14, 2012

Excerpts from the speech by MASTER OF CEREMONIES: DAVID PHILLIPS, CHAIR OF THE LIBRARY BOARD

WELCOME:

It is indeed an honour and pleasure to welcome you this evening to our Book Lovers Ball. We have a room full of library lovers from many walks of life. I would especially like to welcome our two guest authors, Terry Fallis and Douglas Gibson. As well to welcome our Township Council that supports the library both financially and through the time that they give to help us to best library we can be. I would like to welcome and thank our sponsors that have contributed so much to this evening. There will be more about our sponsors shortly. To all of you that are gathered this evening, welcome and thank you for showing the importance of the public library in our community.

HISTORY:

First and foremost, we must thank Joseph Gould… a name many of you are no doubt familiar with. In 1886, he announced that he wanted to construct a new building for the Mechanics Institute on the piece of land he owned on Toronto Street. Unfortunately, Mr. Gould passed away a couple of months later… fortunately for all of us, he had the foresight to include his wishes in his will and he had moved the project forward quickly too… he had already approved the architect’s plans for the new building. What a generous gift he made to the Township of Uxbridge. It was built by John Stokes of the nearby community Sharon, who also built Joseph Gould’s home here in Uxbridge, along with the old mansion house hotel.

The official opening was on December 9, 1887. The Minister of Education was present and he proclaimed that the building was the first donation of its kind in the province, and, that the library was the best in the province for the size of the town! The building cost $4,200 and had about 5,000 books in its collection… the clock cost $315.

In 1895, the name was officially changed… from the Mechanic’s Institute to the Uxbridge Public Library… and in 1898, it officially became a “free library”. Before this time, patrons would actually come up to a wicket at the front entrance of the library where the librarian took requests. Not surprisingly, membership doubled within a year… once the public had direct access to the collection… and it has grown steadily since then.

Over the years, as many of you will probably remember, the library has gone through several renovations… continually adapting to the needs of the community… the exterior was restored in 1985… including a sizable and complementary addition to the south end in 1986. Most of this could not have been accomplished without the generosity of our amazing community… through volunteer work, donations and various fundraising projects… all of us here this evening now share in that long history of community support for its library.

FUTURE:

What does the future hold for libraries? Of course books are different now. We have the traditional book, still widely read in our community and globally. We have e readers and other electronic devices that are gaining in popularity. However, I believe that the library will always be a very important part of the community. It will be a meeting place and communication center for the exchange of ideas and a place to learn more and more about the world. I sit on the provincial library board and as I travel to other libraries, I see that focus on a place to gather. It is amazing to see the two genders, various cultures, ages and socio-economic backgrounds gathering in that special place called a library.

The philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie, who financed many libraries and put millions of dollars into libraries, felt that the acceptance of the idea was that free libraries should be available to all. But the design of the idealized free library was the subject of prolonged and heated debate. That was over a century ago and the debate about the role and place of public libraries continues today. I believe this debate is crucial as we look to libraries and meeting places of the future.

A variety of events have been planned for next year’s celebration including a gala fundraiser, The Book Lover’s Ball and Benefit at Wooden Sticks Golf Course on Saturday, April 14^th, 2012. We are hoping that over 150 literary-minded guests will come together and show their support for the Library.

This black tie event will be an evening to remember, including hors d’oeuvres, three-course dinner with wine, and dancing with live music performed by Hot Air - a local big band with
17 members. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on fabulous prizes in a silent auction, in support of the Library’s expansion fund.

The Uxbridge Public Library, including our Zephyr Branch, are information resources, committed to fostering literacy and promoting life long learning throughout our community. Over 33% of Uxbridge residents are active Library cardholders and borrowed over 170,000 items last year. In addition, approximately 5,000 children and adults in our community attended over 230 Library programs!

The popularity of the Library, combined with recent budget cuts, an old but historical building, technological advances and the evolving needs of our patrons, means the demands on our Library system continue to grow year by year. To assist the Library in meeting increasingly diverse needs, we are in need of additional funding to help protect, enhance and expand important library materials, programs and services.

Supporting your public library is a unique and powerful way to support your community. The information enclosed describes opportunities for your company to use its marketing and community investment dollars to help make a real difference in the community that will not go unnoticed. You will be supporting one of the most important institutions in our town, helping ensure Uxbridge remains a very vibrant place to live.

‘For the Love of Reading’ Book Chat

Busy professionals who are on their lunch break, or, residents simply looking to have a literary discussion with others, are invited to chat about books they have read ~ are reading ~ or would like to read! B.Y.O.L. (bring your own lunch); beverages hot and cold will be provided.
* If this type of activity sounds like a fit for you, please come along to this inaugural gathering which will continue, if interest is sufficient, on the first Tuesday of each month.

Storytime for Children

Listen, laugh and learn! Discover great books, rhymes and/or songs. 18 months to 8 years old.

Storytime for Children ~ French

Le même, en français!

OPLW Reading Challenge

The challenge is simple… children try to read seven or more books, teens/adults to read at least one book… between October 15 – 21. Fill out a ballot listing the books you read by end of day Saturday, October 22, for a chance to win a ‘cool’ prize! Winners announced October 23.

Sidewalk Chalk Talk

Time to get creative and use that imagination! Help us celebrate libraries by writing or drawing a library-themed word or two on the sidewalks surrounding our libraries. Coloured chalk available at the circulation desks. Ages 1 – 99!

Library Patron Appreciation Open House

Stop in for refreshments and treats… and see what new items and services await at your neighbourhood library!

@ UXBRIDGE Public Library

@ ZEPHYR Public Library

ALL WEEK, at BOTH libraries:
Library Patron Appreciation Open House ~ OPLW Reading Challenge ~Sidewalk Chalk Talk

Write a story beginning with the word SPLASH (no more than 2 double spaced pages) and you could win a prize! Winning entries will be published on our website and displayed in the library. All participants will receive a little prize, just for entering a story! (Thanks to Baked At Frankie’s!)

Entires must be dropped off (with an entry form) by 5:00pm on Monday, March 21, 2011. Winners will be announced on March 30, 2011. Details and entry forms can be found on our website or at the library.