The best public libraries are a reflection of their community. I truly hope that you feel that the Prince Edward County Public Library reflects you and your family by offering books, DVDs, electronic resources, and programs that meet your needs and serve your interests. If we do not, please let us know.

At the end of the calendar year, library staff sit down to reflect on the year that has passed – and discuss why some programs were successful and others perhaps less so. Although sometimes weather and other forces conspire to make a program less well attended than we may have hoped, we often remark that the most successful programs are those that originate with community members. Whether you have an idea and you would like to see it happen or you have a skill to lend, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us.

If you pick up a copy of the library’s monthly newsletter and see that there are ukulele classes happening at the Bloomfield branch but you live in Consecon and would like to learn to play in your own neighbourhood, ask us. It helps us know where to offer programs and distribute our resources in the best way we can. We started this program in Bloomfield after it was requested by some library users. The ukulele group at the Wellington Branch Library started in a similar way and has become one of the busiest days at the library. They meet alternating Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Another program that started by patron request is the craft get together which happens on Thursdays at the Wellington branch at 1 p.m. A couple of crafty people decided they would like to meet up at the library, bring their craft in progress and work and chat together, and welcome others to join them. We are considering adding to this program by demonstrating and letting you try some different crafting tools that you may be interested in, including a button maker, a silhouette cameo, and a laminator. If this interests you please let us know – you can contact me by e-mail at liz@peclibrary.org or by phone at (613) 399-2023.

It is not just programs that we respond to community requests for. We also seek patron requests for books to add to our collection. If there is a new book of interest to you that we don’t yet have, chat with your neighbourhood librarian or complete the request form at peclibrary.org/rfp. We also monitor which titles are highly requested and use those requests to decide when to buy multiple copies of a book.
If you have any suggestions, comments, or requests for the library to consider please let us know. We are happy to hear from you.

-Liz Zylstra