GivingTuesday is November 29

November 29 is GivingTuesday--  a global day of giving that

happens each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a time when Canadians, charities and businesses come together to celebrate giving and participate in activities that support charities and non-profits. There is no “right” way to participate as long as it supports generosity and giving. Donate, volunteer time, help a neighbour, or spread the word. GivingTuesday Canada was founded in 2013 by the GIV3 Foundation and CanadaHelps.

Here at AVRL, we are encouraging you to help us furnish two library projects. Our Berwick branch is set to open sometime in January. We still need to raise around $47,000 to fully furnish the library. In Bridgetown, the library expansion is nearly complete. We still need $2000 for furniture in the children’s area and the meeting room.

Both of these library projects have had amazing support. In Berwick there have been fundraisers that have been well attended by the community, local families have donated, and businesses, such as Kings Mutual Insurance, have stepped forward to donate. In Bridgetown, the annual Silent Auction brought in nearly $4000 towards the project. In each of these communities, the Friends of the Library have been instrumental in gathering community backing. There’s not enough space here to individually thank each and every one of you who have been helping our libraries, but please know that we are incredibly honoured to have your support.

So, when November 29 rolls around, and you want to help us finish these library projects, this is the time! We’ll even give you a tax receipt for donations of $10 or more. If you have bonds or securities you want to donate, we can do that too.

To donate, visit this page. Or you can donate on the GivingTuesday site; please leave us a message regarding which library project you want to support. If you send us a cheque, please print the form for the library you want to support. If you have any questions, please feel free to phone us at 902-665-2995 and we can help you!

Why is the Kentville Library closed?

Kentville Library is moving! A long-anticipated move for the Kentville Library is now in the works. The last open day of the Kentville Library in the current location, 95 Cornwallis Street, was Saturday, August 6th.

The library will be closed August 7th through to the 14th. In order to continue to serve the Kentville area, the Annapolis Valley Regional Library will operate a smaller, temporary library while renovations on the new space in the former United Church at 440 Main Street are being completed. Anticipated re-opening of the “Kentville Lite” Library in the lower level of 440 Main Street will be Monday, August 15th. There will be no overdue fines charged on items due during the closure period. The bookdrop will remain open at the current location this week. Items can be returned to the bookdrop or to any other AVRL location.

The Mad Science: Fire & Ice program, scheduled for Tuesday, August 9, will be relocated to the Upper Recreation Centre at 354 Main Street, next to Town Hall. Participants in the Summer Reading Club will be able to pick up Fast Passes and other prizes on Tuesday, August 9, at the Recreation Centre from 11:30 AM until 4 PM, or at any AVRL location, including the Bookmobile.

Here's a handy FAQ about the move:

The library will be closed August 7-14. The book drop will be available for book return during this time at our current location, 95 Cornwallis Street.

The temporary location, “Kentville Lite” will be in the lower level at 440 Main Street (former United church building), opening on August 15.

No overdue fines will be charged during the closure period.

The hours & phone number will remain the same at Kentville Lite.

We will be operating with a smaller collection, however, you may also place a hold on any item in our AVRL collection to be picked up at this location.

Parking is available.

Public computers and WIFI will be available.

We anticipate being in the temporary location for 2-3 months.

Programming will be limited in the temporary location; updates on Fall programs to come.

Summer Reading prizes may be picked up at any other AVRL location during the closed dates.

A new library for Kentville

On Sunday, January 10, from 2-4 PM, we invite you to come to the current Kentville library to tell us what your hopes are for the new Kentville library. It has been a few years since the Friends of the Kentville Public Library dissolved—but before that, they had some great ideas and were working towards a new location for the Kentville library.

Since the bridge near the library will be reconstructed, the library MUST move. There are two locations being considered by the Town of Kentville and the Municipality of the County of Kings. Either location will mean a larger space for the Kentville branch, which is good news! 

Next Sunday, we want to hear your thoughts. What do you want the new library to feel like? What does your library mean to you?  How will you use the new library? Would you like to help fundraise for the new library? We are inviting all who love their library and who want to help make it awesome to stop by on January 10. We will host a “World Cafe” style event – we will have several tables, each with a different subject. Staff will facilitate the tables—we will ask you to provide input at each table. You can come for the whole 2 hours, or if you just want to drop in, you can do that as well. We want to hear from you! And if you can't make it on Sunday, you can COMMENT ONLINE. 

Day 6, 2015: SMILEY FACES

The cheery staff at the Kentville Library will be handing out these "feel good" treats today. They were baked by  the always smiling Gail Aldred. From the book Cookies: 200 Inspirational Cookie Recipes by Susanna Tee.

"These frosty faces are sure to put a smile on your face and tickle your taste buds.  The cook book I selected has a wide variety of recipes to choose so you will never be short of ideas to make something heavenly for friends and family, whatever the occasion.  Another good thing is the recipes are easy to follow using mostly cupboard ingredients."

SMILEY FACES

¾  CUP UNSALTED BUTTER, SOFTENED

½ CUP LIGHT BROWN SUGAR

1 LARGE EGG, LIGHTLY BEATEN
1 TBSP HONEY
2 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR,
  PLUS EXTRA FOR DUSTING
½ TSP GROUND CINNAMON

FOR DECORATING:
1 CUP CONFECTIONER’S SUGAR
ABOUT ½ TSP COLD WATER
3 TBSP CHOCOLATE SPRINKLES
20 GUM DROPS
TUBES OF COLORED DECORATING ICING

Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat together until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and honey and stir to combine.  Sift in the flour and cinnamon and mix to form a soft dough.  Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 375 F/190 C.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.  Cut the dough in half and roll in the remaining flour, then roll out each piece between 2 sheets of plastic wrap.  Using a 2 ¾ - inch /7 – cm cookie cutter, cut our 10 disks from each piece and place on the baking sheet.  Bake in the preheated oven for 10 – 12 minutes, or until golden brown.  Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sift the confectioner’s sugar into a bowl, add the water, and mix until smooth.  Spread the cookies with a thin layer of icing, then use the chocolate sprinkles for hair and a gum drop for the nose.  Let set, then draw in the eyes and mouth with the decorating icing. 

Note: I added 1 TBSP of shortening to the icing and substituted black coloured sugar instead of chocolate sprinkles for the hat.

Don't forget-- you too can Enter to win a gift card. Show us YOUR cookies!

The Flood: Alternate Library Services for Kentville Library Users

Due to a water valve failure on October 15^th, the Kentville Library will be closed for 2-3 weeks.  The Annapolis Valley Regional Library sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience to library patrons and will be offering the following temporary options for library users in the interim:

The Port Williams Library will be open extended hours beginning Friday, October 19.   

During the Kentville Library closure, Port Williams will be open:

Monday 10-5 & 6:30-8:30

Tuesday 2-7

Wednesday 10-5

Thursday 10-7

Friday 10-5 &  6:30-8:30

Saturday 10-2

The Port Williams Library is located in the Fire Hall/Community Centre on Main Street.  

The Bookmobile will also be in the parking lot of the Kentville Library from 12-8 on Tuesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 25 to meet our patron's borrowing needs.  If you've never been on the Bookmobile, this is your chance! 

Library patrons are welcome to use any of the other Annapolis Valley Regional Library branches to borrow or return materials – your AVRL card is good at all of our locations.  Aside from Port Williams, other nearby branches include Wolfville and Berwick (and both have storytimes, as well) . You can see all of our branch locations and hours here.

Library materials can also be returned through the after-hours book return outside the Kentville Library.

Thanks to all for your patience and your concern! We will be posting updates on our website, on Facebook, and Twitter.