Celebrating Pride Month

Celebrating Pride Month

by | May 31, 2024 | Books, Children & Families, Collection Materials, LGBTQ2S+

The Huron County Library is celebrating Pride Month by sharing valuable resources, participating in community events, and hosting activities in our branches.

Here is a round-up of what’s happening throughout June:

Huron County Pride Outreach: The Huron County Library is popping up at this year’s Huron County Pride Festival! Find us on the Square in downtown Goderich on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and take in the amazing activities happening throughout the day!

Pride Hikes: Celebrate diverse voices, get active on Huron County’s trails, win Pride-themed prizes and more! Participate in the Celebrating Diverse Voices Scavenger Hunt on the Bayfield Heritage Trail from June 9-30. Or, explore any one of Huron’s beautiful hiking trails through June. Hikers participating in either option can earn an entry to win a Pride-themed prize pack! Learn how to participate here.

LGBTQ2S+ Resources for young people and their families: Library staff have put together a valuable resource guide to support young people and their families. The guide features links to online resources, books from our collection, local supports, and more.

Book Raffle: The Library is raffling off 10 LGBTQ2S+ books for a variety of ages (picture books, junior fiction, young adult, adult fiction, and adult non-fiction). Find ballots throughout the month of June at all 12 branches or visit us at the Huron Pride Festival.

Pride Panel Discussion: Join us on Thursday, June 20 from 6:30-8 p.m., for a virtual discussion to learn about what Drag is and why it has been targeted as a perceived threat. Our panelists are Curtis Campbell, author of Dragging Mason County, a Young Adult novel about a drag show at a small town high school; and Miss Lita, who is a drag performer who has performed at several drag story time library programs that have attracted protestors. Goderich Branch is also hosting a watch party if you would like to bring your friends together to join the conversation! Registration required. 

LGBTQ2S+ Youth Social Connections Craft Night: To celebrate pride, the LGBTQ2S+ youth social connections crew are inviting everyone to their craft night on Monday, June 24, 5-8 p.m. at the Goderich Branch. LGBTQ2S+ Youth Social Connections is a community-led program for youth ages 16-25 held the last Monday of each month at the Goderich Branch. This is a great opportunity to have fun with peers, to meet new friends and to engage in discussions around topics that could include sexuality, identity, homophobia, and personal experiences. Registration required.

Drop-in Button Making @ Exeter Branch: Celebrate Pride Month by joining us at the Exeter Branch every Friday in June for button making! This is a drop-in program and available during regular branch hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. No registration is necessary.

Rainbow Storytime @ Exeter Branch: Drop into the Exeter Branch Friday, June 7, 2-3 p.m., for Rainbow Storytime featuring LGBTQ2S+ themed stories and songs! No registration required.

Friendship Bracelets @ Exeter Branch: Join us Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Exeter Branch  to make a rainbow, pronoun, or flag-themed friendship bracelet! No registration required.

Pride Hikes

Pride Hikes

by | May 30, 2024 | Bayfield branch, LGBTQ2S+

The ParticipACTION Community Challenge is a national initiative encouraging all Canadians to get active in June to find Canada’s Most Active Community. The Huron County Library’s Bayfield Branch saw an opportunity to integrate the Community Challenge with June’s Pride Month celebrations. 

Alongside Huron County Pride and Bayfield Trails, the Bayfield Branch is pleased to provide a number of offerings this June. By participating in any of these events, community members will help the Municipality of Bluewater in the chance to win $100,000 and become recognized as Canada’s Most Active Community! 

Pride Hike: Celebrating Diverse Voices Scavenger Hunt 

Pride Hike: Celebrating Diverse Voices Scavenger Hunt takes place during the Second Annual Bayfield Pride Walk on Sunday, June 9, at 11 a.m. The first 30 attendees to this event will receive a “Hiking Helper” bag, which includes a pedometer, a Huron County Hiking Guide, Pride-related swag, and more. During the walk, participants are encouraged to discover books written by LGBTQ2S+ authors while collecting the “secret” word on each sign for a chance to win a Pride-themed prize pack! After the walk, attendees will meet in Clangregor Park for a picnic, with the Bayfield Branch providing rainbow cupcakes from Pink Flamingo Bakery.   

For those unable to attend the Second Annual Bayfield Pride Walk, they are still able to complete the Scavenger Hunt for the remainder of the month (June 10-30). The Bayfield Branch will have a limited number of the “Hiking Helper” bags on hand to encourage community members to participate in this fun and lively event (one bag per family). Community members are able to pick up an entry sheet from the branch or access one online.  

Pride Hike: Huron County Hiking Trails Edition

The last offering is the Pride Hike: Huron County Hiking Trails Edition where community members are encouraged to explore the breathtaking hiking trails across Huron County. Every hike they embark on earns them an entry to win a Pride-themed prize pack! Participants can easily find all of Huron County’s hiking trails in the Huron County Hiking Guide, which is also available at the Bayfield Branch. Community members are able to pick up an entry sheet from the branch or access one online.  

Tiny Art Show returns to Clinton Branch

Tiny Art Show returns to Clinton Branch

by | Feb 13, 2024 | Art, Crafts, Uncategorized

Calling all artists of ALL abilities! The Clinton Branch‘s Tiny Art Show returns this spring and we invite you to join in on the creative fun! Pick up a 5” X 5” board from the branch to create your tiny artwork. Use your own art supplies to decorate your board using any medium you choose (paint, draw, decoupage, collage, sew, etc.).

The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 15, 2024. The Tiny Art Show opening will be held on March 23, 1 p.m. Artwork will be displayed in the library from March 23 to April 20, 2024. Tiny refreshments will be served.

Download an entry form and return to the Clinton Branch along with your piece by March 15. Entry forms are also available from the branch.

Art Show Rules:

  • One board per person or group. Available while supplies last.
  • No candles or electrical devices, including battery operated.
  • Objects, paper, and materials of any kind, except food, may be glued to the canvas, but artwork must remain 5” X 5” and must be able to hang flat against the wall.
  • Please write your name on the back of the canvas and include an arrow to show which way is the top.
  • Fill out the entire Tiny Art Show entry form and bring with you when you submit your art.
  • After the show opening on March 23, artwork will be displayed until April 20. Art must be picked up at the Circulation Desk by April 30. Please note, any artwork not picked up will become library property for use as we deem fit.
  • The Huron County Library reserves the right to refuse any work considered unsuitable and/or does not meet these guidelines. Or if it cannot be accommodated safely or comfortably within the library space.
  • By participating in the Clinton Branch Tiny Art Show, you agree to allow Huron County Library to publicly display and photograph your art for promotion and engagement.
Fall Craft Swap

Fall Craft Swap

by | Aug 18, 2023 | Crafts, Programming

Calling all crafters! Love crafting and seeing others enjoy what you make? Join the Huron County Library Spring Craft Swap where you will be partnered with another crafter in Huron County! Make your partner a custom craft while they do the same for you! All crafting mediums are welcome – knitting, crocheting, sewing, candle making, pottery, scrapbooking, needlefelting, etc. The sky is the limit!

AGES: This program is open to crafters of all ages! Adult crafters will be partnered with a fellow adult crafter, and children will be partnered with children.

GUIDELINES: We ask that you craft TWO small items or ONE medium sized item.

  • Medium = A scarf, a wallet, a set of notecards (4), a reusable shopping bag
  • Small = A piece of jewelry, a bookmark, a washcloth, a facemask, a small candle

Please note that a library staff person will be in touch with you Sept 11-14 to assign your partner. You will have until October 14 to craft. Please drop your completed craft off to your local Huron County Library branch between October 14 and 20th (or earlier). You will receive a notification from library staff when the craft from your partner is ready for pickup at your local branch. Watch for email reminders along the way so you don’t miss any of the deadlines listed below. Please ensure that crafts do not exceed the size of a standard tote box (28” x 17” x 15″).

*Should a partner not complete a craft, an alternate partner will be arranged. Should multiple partners not complete a craft, individuals may be paired with one another. Pre-completed crafts will be used in reassignments (no need to make an entirely new craft!).

IMPORTANT DATES:

Registration: Aug 21-Sept 11
Partner Assigned: Sept 11-14
Crafting: Sept 14- Oct 14
Craft Due: Oct 14-20

REGISTRATION: Huron County Library Fall Craft Swap | Huron County Connects (connectedcountyofhuron.ca)

 

Summer Reading Week 2: Pirate Party

Summer Reading Week 2: Pirate Party

by | Jul 11, 2023 | Children & Families, Programming, Reading, Summer Reading

Hello summer readers! Now that we’ve gained our footing on land, it’s time to change with the wind and sail the wild seas! This week, we explore the seven seas, travelling on the magical sailing ships, befriending colourful parrots, fighting off sea monsters, and visiting the shark islands! Can you guess what this week’s theme is? Check this out! A Pirate Party!

Be sure to check out this week’s colouring sheets and pirate-themed reading list for some fantastic story suggestions! Of course, you can also visit your local Huron County Library Branch this summer! We hope to see you there!

Arr!

Nadine and Maya

Passport to Discovery – Graphic Novels & Comic Books

Passport to Discovery – Graphic Novels & Comic Books

by | Apr 29, 2023 | Children & Families, Crafts, Programming

Calling all young explorers! Your next adventure starts today! This month’s Passport to Discovery theme is graphic novels and comic books. Put yourself in the story with this month’s activities.

Let’s get started:

  • Pick up a Take & Make Kit from your library branch to make your own comic book. Make it about your favourite super hero or comic book character, or create your own character! It’s time for imagination to go wild!
  • Create your own superhero or comic character mask! Using the template provided in the Take & Make Kit, decorate your mask, cut it out, tie it on, and let the adventures begin!
  • Bring a character from your comic book to life! Act out your comic book story and invite a friend or two to join you!
  • Read one of these books from our collection.
  • Download this month’s activity sheet if you prefer to get started from home.

Explorers are welcome to join the program at any time. Here’s how it works:

  • Pick up a passport from your local branch to begin a full year of learning, reading, doing, and having a whole lot of fun!
  • Visit your local branch each month to pick up a themed craft kit and activity sheet.
  • Complete at least one of the activities
  • Return to the branch to get your passport stamped and ballot entered into a grand prize draw that will take place at the end of the program in February 2024.