In partnership with the Multicultural Network of Niagara Falls and the Folk Arts Council, the Niagara Falls Public Library has started an English Conversation Circle. The purpose of this program is to provide an informal opportunity for newcomers or people learning English to practice speaking with others, in a safe and supportive environment, and to discover library services while they are here. It is a relaxed setting to practice English, meet people, share your culture and have fun. It is not a class and it’s free. The weekly sessions are facilitated by trained volunteers. It is open to anyone 18 years of age or older, and will be held every Monday evening from 6:30 to 8pm in the Conference Room at the Victoria Avenue Library. No registration is required. For more information call 905-358-3452 or 905-356-2249. The Library offers a variety of materials to help learn English. Just published this year are “Barron's English for foreign language speakers the easy way”...

Improving your diet is a popular resolution to make at any time of the year but especially as we squeezed into too-tight bathing suits this summer . Many are helped by new library books which cover a variety of healthy subjects including the following. Brendan Brazier’s “The Thrivediet” outlines the whole foods way to losing weight, reducing stress, and staying healthy for life. Linda Larsen has two new books “The everything no trans fat cookbook"  and “The everything low-cholesterol cookbook” which feature delicious, healthy, low-fat meals your whole family will love. "The gluten-free vegetarian kitchen" by Donna Klein has lots of delicious and nutritious wheat-free and gluten-free dishes . “Dr. Gott's no flour, no sugar diet” was published last year. Fight disease by borrowing “The Cleveland Clinic healthy heart lifestyle guide and cookbook” “The MS recovery diet : take control, change what you eat, and live symptom-free” by Ann Sawyer and Judith Bachrach and “Cooking with foods that fight cancer” by Richard Béliveau and Denis Gingras ....

Many are surprised about the variety of library materials available about the Summer Olympics.

Just published this year are “Swifter, higher, stronger : a photographic history of the Summer Olympics” by Sue Macy for National Geographic and David Wallechinsky’s "The complete book of the Olympics".



“The bone cage” by Angie Abdou is a recent novel which questions “what happens to athletes who put everything else on hold for a chance at the Olympics”. “What lurks in the shadows of elite athletics is what makes Abdou's ... stories so compelling."

Borrow fascinating DVDs such as “The Concrete Revolution”...

The Victoria Avenue Library is hosting a special information program for parents to learn how to prepare your child for elementary school on Aug. 6 from 1:30 to 2:30pm.

At the same time on Aug. 14, parents and their children who are beginning high school are invited to learn more about what to expect and to get ready.

Anyone is invited to these two free programs but they are specifically arranged for newcomers to Canada who want to know what to expect in Canadian schools.

The Library has scheduled them in partnership with SWIS Niagara (Settlement Workers in Schools). Free government and community services for newcomers to Canada are funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the YMCA of Niagara, the Niagara Catholic District School Board and the District School Board of Niagara.

The government is advocating to our newcomer population that public libraries are one of the free services available to all Canadians.

To register, or for more information, contact...

The entire parking lot behind the Victoria Avenue Library will be closed for re-surfacing for a few days sometime in the next two weeks. Signs will be posted when the lot is closed.

1987 was the last time it was re-surfaced.

The usual street parking continues around the Library.

Permission has been given by the current owner of the former Canadian Tire property for the public and staff to use its parking lot which has an entrance from both Morrison St. across from the Library and from Huron St. Sincere thanks are extended to Mordecai Grun of Historic Niagara Development Inc. for his generosity.

The Library will be open regular hours during this time. The lobby entrance from both the Morrison St. walkway and the front entrance at Victoria Avenue will be open as usual.

The book return will be closed at the Victoria Avenue Library during this period, but the book returns will be open at Stamford, Chippawa and Community Centre branch libraries.

We apologize...