As May approaches, the theme of our Children’s crafts program focus on Mother’s Day. Is there a nicer way to honour Mom or Grandma, than with something you have made with love for them? There will be two sessions next Saturday May 1 at the Victoria Avenue Library at 10:30 and at 2pm making beautiful Iris folding art pictures. Register today by calling 905-356-4053 or go online to the Kids’ Corner. The final in the current series of Family Fun Story times will be presented on Thursday April 29th at the Victoria Avenue Library. This is a wonderful program time for the whole family to enjoy together. Join in for an hour of stories, songs, rhymes, a craft and short film. The theme this month is “Baa Baa Story time”. Registration is $1 per child or a toonie for the whole family! It is a bargain...

You may have noticed some websites that advertise “information” at a very reasonable price. “Get real information from real people” is a popular mantra. Well, you know what, libraries have been doing this for years and we do it for FREE! Providing information has long been our domain, and we answer hundreds of questions each week. The internet has had a great impact on how our Reference Department at Victoria Avenue operates. We still get many walk-ins and phone calls, but we also receive just as many requests via email. Here is just a sampling of some of the questions we have been asked lately.

 

Why doesn’t my wine freeze when I leave it in the freezer? We were able to provide information on the freezing temperature of wine depending on the alcohol content. Can you help me track down an old girlfriend who lived in Chippawa in 1967? We were able to provide a telephone number from a local directory but whether they actually ever got together again, we don’t know. Do you know if any...

Recently, we have been the recipients of a donation from the Niagara Regional Literacy Council, of low level, high interest books for adult new readers. We are grateful to them for enhancing our collection in this way. The Niagara Falls Public Library has always supported literacy endeavours in our community and has provided meeting space for literacy tutors and their students for many years. We hope this partnership continues in the future and that our library resources will continue to be utilized by all similar community organizations that provide services to our residents.

The final presentation in our Sunday afternoon International Film series will be the original 1946 French version of ”Beauty & the Beast”. The classic romantic story of Belle and the half human, half monster, was winner of the Prix Louis Delluc, in its day. It stars Jean Marais and Josette Day, and is directed by Jean Cocteau. This will be shown Sunday April 11 at 2pm at the Victoria Avenue Library. Remember to pick up your coupons...

Just a reminder, all branches of the Library will be closed Monday April 5.

"STOMP, ROAR, READ!" The 7th annual Niagara Falls Family Literacy Event takes place at the McBain Community Centre on Saturday, April 10th from 9:30-1. Families are encouraged to come along and enjoy a lively musical performance by Erick Traplin, story time with Mr.Fun from Great Wolf Lodge, crafts, toys, free refreshments, face painting and a wonderful take home bag for each child that contains a book, crayons, a roaring good craft, a dinosaur stamper and a free swim pass from the YMCA. Meet Barney and Baby Bop! Also a free family swim takes place directly after the event from 1-2 p.m. So, stomp on over for a roaring good time to this wonderful FREE event that encourages you to read with your little readasaurus. For more information, contact the Ontario Early Years Centre at 357-2398. The Niagara Falls Public Library and staff are partners in this community initiative.

The spring session of our Children’s...