Dave McMahon is a full-time dog trainer who has operated Dave McMahon’s Dog Training Academy in Niagara Falls for 23 years.

His has just published a hundred page dog training manual called “Obedience Training for the Family Dog”.

Everyone is invited to meet Dave at the Victoria Avenue Library on Jan. 31 between 1 and 3pm. He will be pleased to give suggestions on how to teach dogs essential commands and answer your questions. Autographed copies of his book will be available for $20.

McMahon has been teaching at Niagara College since 1990. Dave McMahon's Dog Academy is also a Career School For Dog Trainers.

Visit his website at www.davemcmahon.ca for a complete summary of his career and services.

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Borrow the popular book

The not-for-profit Federation of Ontario Public Libraries points out that the use of public libraries increases in uncertain economic times and during an economic downturn.

In response to lower household incomes, cash-strapped families and individuals will access the public library's extensive collection of books, databases, DVD's, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers, rather than buying and renting these same materials. Affordable children’s programs are well attended. Residents on fixed incomes are frequent library users.

As the public's buying power shrinks, more people seek employment, complete their education or upgrade their skills. These people rely on their public libraries for vital information on job opportunities, career planning and training, small business management and computer training.

Because a significant number of residents do not have access to computers with high-speed Internet at home, there is ...

Yes, the public library is well used by more than 40,000 active registered borrowers and the statistics continue to show it!

We are pleased to see that 2008 set another all-time borrowing record at the Niagara Falls Public Library with 692,884 books, magazines, audio visual and electronic materials having been loaned to the public.

Each of our four libraries showed increases in 2008 with Community Centre Branch leading the way with an impressive 12% increase over 2007. This was our hope as more residents in this growing area can now more conveniently get to a neighbourhood library.
The last all-time borrowing record was set as recently as 2006 when 675,169 items were loaned.

We conducted a one week survey of library use from Nov. 17 to 23, 2008 which resulted in the following statistics.

That week 10,742 people in total entered one of our libraries consisting of 5,26 ...

The next Philosophers' Cafe at the Victoria Avenue Library is scheduled for Jan. 5 at 7pm. The theme is "What is reality?" This discussion series has been successful as a group of interesting residents talk and think about an issue each month.

A Philosophers’ Café is an informal, open forum for those interested in exploring philosophical questions in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The purpose of the café is nothing less than to help transform the world one conversation at a time. No philosophical training is required – real life experience desired. A philosopher exists in all of us.

Considerations for discussion include how does one perceive reality? Can one’s reality be altered or changed? Is there a difference between reality and actuality? Has your understanding of reality changed or stayed the same? Is reality exactly the same for all of us? What shapes reality? Is reality different from a thousand of years ago?

The Library is open today (Dec 27) but will be closed on Dec. 28, Dec. 31 at 1pm and Jan. 1. Use the book return slots and visit anytime the library website www.nflibrary.ca to search the catalogue and databases, place reserves, renew your materials, pay fines and much more.

You can see what new books and other resources have just arrived at the library in the past week or two. Click on “search catalogue” on our website www.nflibrary.ca and then “what’s new”. You will see listings for new biographies, fiction, dvds, music CDs, mysteries, non-fiction, science fiction, talking books, teen fiction, bestsellers and children’s materials.

Check the website, come in, or telephone us to see what new films will be shown on Big Screen ...