For the Love of Libraries

This week’s column was written by Donna Tunney of Friends of the Radium Library and temporary library director Danielle Conolly. Call 250-347-2434 for more information.

This month, meet our assistant library director and newlywed Emilie Fitzgerald.

Emilie inherited her love of books and reading from her mother, who worked at the Ottawa Public Library for more than 40 years. Emilie was employed there herself when she was in Grade 10 and has worked in libraries ever since, earning a Library and Information Technology diploma along the way.

She is now in charge of programming for the Radium Public Library, and is most passionate about children’s programs. She runs Storytime and the popular Summer Reading Club, a free literacy program that features reading and crafts for ages five to 12. Emilie is especially proud of her Little Lambs program, designed for caregivers and newborns to two year olds. The group sings songs and reads short books, conveying the tales through fun visuals, like felt boards, to create the characters and scenery. Emilie loves “seeing how happy and excited the kids are about books and reading.”

Check the Radium Public Library website for program details, or pop in and sign out a title. And if you need a paperback for the road, our next Pop-Up Book Sale is Friday, August 16 at the Radium Brewery during “Market on Main.”

 In August, thoughts turn to classrooms and summer days coming to a close. Our World of Curiosities Summer Reading Club wraps up soon, with the last Edgewater session on Thursday, August 15, and the last Radium session on Friday, Aug. 16. Storytimes continue in Radium (Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.), but the last Edgewater Summer Storytime will be Thursday, Aug. 22 starting at 10:30 a.m.

Our annual Teddy Bear Picnic happens Wednesday, August 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Radium Library; it will be outdoors, weather-permitting. This free event is geared toward preschool-aged children with a snack, stories, and a craft.

Speaking of crafts, please join us on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a special back-to-school craft at the library.

A new Community Book Club has launched. Please see our newsletter and Facebook page for more details on how to sign up and get September’s book. The inaugural meeting to discuss September’s book – and choose October’s book – will be September 21 at the Radium Library from 2 to 3:15 p.m.