March Break preview

March Break is just around the corner. But don’t panic if you haven’t got your week filled—we have some great programs happening right here in the Valley. And guess what? They are FREE! That’s right, your local library has cooked up a great slate of programs for all ages. 

LEGO-loving kids will want to head over to the Bridgetown, Kentville, and Windsor libraries this week. We have lots of our own LEGO,  so stop in and see what you can build with ours.  And in both Berwick and Bridgetown, there are LEGO robotics programs during March Break, and a LEGO stop-motion film program in Berwick.  And if you have tons of LEGO at home, try some of these LEGO challenges on our Pinterest board.   

There are storytimes in Berwick, Bridgetown, Kentville, Port Williams, and Wolfville next week. And if you like art, there’s an Art Lab in Kentville and a program with the Firefly Makery in Bridgetown.  For ages 10-16, there’s  Art attack in Port Williams. They are making monster toys over in Berwick and painting flower pots in Kingston. 

For ages 10+, there are some great programs, including drumming workshops with Kadijah in Berwick, Bridgetown, Hantsport, Lawrencetown, and Wolfville. Sign up because space is limited for these programs. Girls ages 10-15 should check out GirlPower in Berwick and Wolfville. There’s even a Camp Out in Middleton, with lots of food & fun. Bring your sleeping bag! And if you like robotics, stop in our Middleton branch to test drive some new toys we just got. (Maybe you can show us how they work.) And if you have some studying to catch up on, or want to be super-smart when you get back to class, use Tutor.com to help you get back on track. Open every day from 3 pm - midnight, and free with your library card.

In Kentville you can go see Al Bernard or learn to knit. In Berwick you can learn cartooning with Mark Oakley. Stop by Middleton to explore one of our Early Literacy iPads. Attend a Computer Camp in Lawrencetown.  There’s so much to do! Just click on THIS LINK for our March Break programs. You can sign up online or by calling the library.

Adults, don’t fret:  there are even programs for you.  In Annapolis Royal the Speaker Series is back. And in Windsor, meet at the library all week long for Canada Reads. Sign up for a computer tutorial or a workshop. 

And of course we’ve got plenty of books and DVDs to occupy your time. Grab a whole stack of both and keep the “I’m Boreds” at bay. See you at the library!

March Break @your LIBRARY!

Around these parts, we do March Break right.  While some folks are lucky enough to head for warmer climes, many of us stay right here and find ways to keep busy. There's no lack of snow for snowshoeing and enjoying the great outdoors! Did you know you can borrow snowshoes from many of the local recreation departments? Check in with your town and find out the details. If you want to track how many steps you walk during March Break, you can borrow a pedometer from the library. Or maybe try out a new Wii or x-Box game from the library-- you could learn to Hip Hop Dance this week!

If art is more your idea of fun, we've got a whole slew of art programs this week-- there's cartooning with Mark Oakley, pipe-cleaner art, Art Smart, and painting and collage. Take your youngest to storytime. Check out GirlPower. Play board games. Learn to knit, play Elephant and Piggie games, build something with LEGO, create a robot, or go to the circus. Find all our  programs right HERE and start planning your week!

Of course we've got plenty of books, so if your idea of a vacation is curling up with a really good novel, come see us. We've got DVDs for movie night, we've got audiobooks to listen to while you clean the house or knit, and eBooks to fill your eReaders.

And if our offerings are not quite enough, check out Valley Family Fun for even more ideas how to enjoy your March Break right here at home! And do enjoy your Staycation.

March Break at the library!

You may not be heading south to warm sand and beaches. That's ok, because you can have a whole lot of fun right here in the Valley! And thanks to your local library, you can have that fun for free! Our libraries have put together a great line up of programs and activities for all ages during this March Break.

For instance... we are bringing in Mad Science from Halifax to amaze and astound. We've had them in before, and let me tell you, I never thought I'd see a butane fire in the library  and not be alarmed! They are very entertaining and your kids, ages 5 -12, will learn something, too. They will be here on Wednesday, March 13, at the Middleton, Wolfville, and Hantsport libraries. Registration is required because space is limited. Click here to sign up at the library closest to you (or the one that has spaces left!)

Perhaps your teenager is moaning about nothing to do. Nip that in the bud by sending them over to the Bridgetown, Berwick, or Lawrencetown Library to learn West African Drumming with Kadijah. Or drop them off in Kingston on Tuesday for some Duct Tape Crafts. They can learn to draw with Mark Oakley, play board games,  create a zine, or learn web design. Click here for these and other great activities!

We've got plenty of other things lined up, too. Build with LEGO in Berwick, Bridgetown, Lawrencetown, Kentville, and Windsor. Have some Wimpy Kid fun in Kingston. Port Williams has craft days, as do Annapolis Royal, Berwick, Middleton, and Kentville. There are free computer workshops, too. So, if you hear this refrain "There's nothing to do!", just check out our website, and get them over to the library for some excellent March Break fun!

Of course, you could always read a few books this week, too. Or try an audio for a long car trip. Borrow a new game for Wii or xBox. We've got this March Break thing covered.

--Angela Reynolds, Head of Youth Services

Mark Oakley in Wolfville

This year, the Wolfville Library is happy to be one of the libraries our Writer-in-Residence Mark Oakley is most often stationed.  As well as doing workshops in different branches, the Writer-in-Residence program is mostly designed for him to do his work and the rest of us to watch, ask questions, and consult him on works of our own creation.

One doesn’t often get to see the creative process in action.  But this is exactly what happens with Mark Oakley: he comes in, sets up his easel and computer, and starts to make something out of nothing.  First there are just faint boxes on the page, in pencil; then the boxes start to fill in with heads, backgrounds, dialogue bubbles…also sometimes magic and physical humour.  At some point the fine point black felt-tipped marker comes out—but not necessarily in any discernible order, as some of the boxes on his page remain blank at this point and others are at various stages of completion.   Mark goes over the lines, giving the drawing a final flourish, its definitive form.     

It’s amazing to see the buzz of energy that gathers around him as people stop to watch what he is doing or ask him questions.  Mark, ever gregarious, discusses his work or answers people’s questions, whether about his own work or something they have drawn.   People of all ages enjoy checking out his work station and he is more than happy to discuss technique, materials, and inspiration.   - Brogan Anderson

 For more information on our Writer in Residence program, click here.

To find out where Mark will be next, click here.