Past Programs - The Township of South Algonquin

MEDIA RELEASE $13,000 OTF Grant Gives Library Loanable Technology May 12, 2023

Township of South Algonquin, ON – On May 2^nd, MPP John Yakabuski met with the team at Township of South Algonquin Public Library-Madawaska branch, to hear about the impact that a $13,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2022 has had. The grant was used to purchase Chromebooks, C-Pen Readers, Blue Yeti Microphones, and ring lights. The project was completed in April and will give people in the community improved access to technology at the library for years to come.

“This $13,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant to the Township of South Algonquin, specifically to the library, will enhance the available services by the purchasing of tablets, reader pens and microphones. These newly acquired items will certainly allow this rural community’s residents greater local access to newer technology. My sincere thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for this grant,” said John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.

In addition to the purchase of equipment, a user survey was administered in 2022, and a Chromebook handbook was created, and we are in process of setting up a children’s coding program that will utilize the Chromebooks. C-Pen readers are assistive devices that are portable text-to-speech pen scanners. The microphones and ring lights are being made available for creating pod casts and video recordings.

“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Charlene Alexander, CEO/Head Librarian. “This grant has allowed the library to purchase loanable technology, to improve residents access to Chromebooks and assistive devices that otherwise would not have been possible. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.”

The mission of the Township of South Algonquin Public Library is to provide comprehensive services to the highest degree possible within available resources. Our underlying values are Responsiveness to users, Accessible to all users, supporting Intellectual freedom for users and providing Responsible governance.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Organization Contact for Media Inquiries: Charlene Alexander CEO/Head Librarian Township of South Algonquin Public Library

613-637-5471 whitneylibrary@southalgonquin.ca https://www.southalgonquin.ca/library/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TownshipofSouthAlgonquinPublicLibrary Instagram: south_algonquin_public_library

Trillium grant gives $13k loanable tech to South Algonquin Library

South Algonquin libraries receive grants for operations

- Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Bancroft Times – Oct 19, 2022

According to the library board minutes contained within the South Algonquin council meeting agenda for Sept. 7, the public libraries, with branches in Whitney and Madawaska, have gotten a couple of grants recently to help them with their operations and pursue innovative projects going forward. Charlene Alexander, the CEO and head librarian of the South Algonquin public libraries comments on these grants and a couple of other projects going forward.

Alexander explained that one of the grants that the libraries received was the International Dyslexia Association Ontario’s Library mini grant, which supplies $500 for decodable books for the library.

“These funds have been used to purchase a starter collection of decodable books at both branches. I am very pleased to have received this grant. Response has been positive,” she says.

What are decodable books? Alexander explains that they are books that include text that has been carefully written using evidence-based strategies to support reading development. She says that these books are wonderful for all new readers but access to this type of book is vital to children with dyslexia. To ensure that children across Ontario have access to these decodable books, Alexander says that IDA Ontario’s mini grants will help Ontario’s public libraries buy these resources for their collections. Funds for the grant can also be used to buy books about dyslexia and the science of reading from an IDA Ontario recommended list of books as sources of reliable information.

“Science shows that the most efficient way to learn a word so it can instantly be recognized in the future is by ‘decoding’ it. Decoding means using knowledge of letter sounds and English spelling patterns to ‘sound out’ a word. Decodable books are purposely written to help beginning and emerging readers master decoding,” she says.

With regard to the other grant, the Ontario Trillium Resilient Communities Fund, Alexander says that she is still sourcing equipment and will have more details at a later date. This grant was for $13,000 and was procured with the help of CAO/clerk-treasurer Byran Martin. It will be used to buy equipment for loaning and programs, and they intend to purchase 20 tablets, two charging/storage boxes, four CPen readers (an assistive device that scans and reads out the words) and two Blue Yeti Bluetooth micros.

In addition to these grants, Alexander reveals a couple of other exciting initiatives now and in the near future. The libraries are currently hosting drop boxes for a food drive in support of the Madawaska Food Bank from Oct. 6 to 27. The food bank serves South Algonquin, Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, Madawaska Valley and North Algona-Wilberforce. Non-perishable food items can be dropped of at both library locations. At the Madawaska branch (26 A Major Lake Road, Madawaska), the drop off times are; Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the Whitney branch (33 Medical Centre Road, Whitney), the drop off times are; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Author Visit: Linda Hutsell – Manning

https://www.facebook.com/events/843369854071522?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22external_search_engine%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22your_upcoming_events_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Linda will be discussing her book Fearless and Determined: Two Years Teaching in a One-Room School.

Part memoir, part creative non-fiction, Fearless and Determined, takes you back to life in rural southern Ontario in the mid- 1960s. With one year’s training at Toronto Teacher’s College and no curriculum resources except a list of subjects, Linda Hutsell-Manning created and taught courses for eight grades. Built in 1860, the school had seen better days and resembled many one-room schools across Canada. With a wood stove, two pit toilets, a cold water tap, and no storm windows, many students experienced their entire elementary school education here. Linda’s memoir traverses the Kennedy assassination, the Beatles craze and smallpox shots. She worked ten-hour days and made on-the-spot decisions as teacher and principal. “Circumstance gave me this opportunity; time has deemed it to be one of the most challenging and great experiences of my life,” says Linda.

Short Bio

Linda Hutsell-Manning’s writing career spans over forty years with writing published in a variety of genres. Unaware she had writing talent, she attended Ryerson & Teacher’s College, then taught two years in a one-room school. Subsequently, while attending the University of Guelph as a 1970’s mature student, two Can Lit profs encouraged her to write. Her first book was published in 1981. Publications include: poetry & short fiction in literary magazines, eleven children’s books including five picture books, two juvenile time travel novels, three professionally produced plays, five Polka Dot Door scripts, a literary novel, That Summer in Franklin, Second Story Press, a two act comedy A Certain Singing Teacher, Playwrights Canada and a memoir, Fearless and Determined: Two Years Teaching in a One-Room School, Blue Denim Press. Upcoming publications include a picture book, Finding Moufette, Pandamonium Publishers, Sept 2023 and novella, Heads I Win Tails You Lose, AOS Publishers, March 2024. Over the decades, she has given countless library and school readings and taught Creative Writing in several Community Colleges. During Covid, she learned Power Point and gave readings and workshops to adults and children. She is currently working on a memoir An Occasional Chameleon, about her unorthodox childhood that began in 1940’s rural Charleswood, MB. For more info: www.lindahutsellmanning.ca

Kids Coding Club: This free, program is designed for ages 8 – 12 years old. The club will run once weekly, Thursday’s 5 – 6:30 pm at both branches. First session will run July 13^th – July 27^th, Second session will run August 3^rd – August 24^th. Pre-registration is required as we are limited to 5 spots per session. Code Club projects are freely available for anyone to use to start getting creative with code.

We are pleased to announce that we now have a Community Seed Library available at both branches. We bring you this program to help combat food insecurity and to revitalize our connections to the land.

Seed libraries work much like conventional public libraries. Patrons can “borrow” from the inventory of seeds to grow at home. We welcome donations of seeds to help keep growing for future seasons. The seed library is free for everyone with or without a library card.

A DEEPER DIVE: MAKING LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MAKE SENSE

Monday March 6th @ 6:30pm Whitney Senior’s Centre 9 Third Ave. Whitney, Ontario. Free Workshop. Facebook event page https://fb.me/e/2rVPhajxA

A territorial or land acknowledgement is an act of reconciliation that involves making a statement recognizing the ancestral territory of Indigenous peoples who live in a particular region, often since time immemorial. However, these acknowledgements can easily become a token gesture rather than a meaningful practice. We have a responsibility to consciously and continuously reflect on the fact that no matter where we are, we are on Indigenous lands. Further, we have a responsibility to not only acknowledge and learn about the histories and legacies of colonialism, but to take tangible action to contribute to Canada’s reconciliation process.

All are welcome to participate in this free workshop with Christine Luckasavitch (Omàmìwininì Madaoueskarini Anishinaabekwe (Algonquin) and mixed settler heritage), whose work centers around creating spaces for Indigenous peoples to share their knowledges, both in physical and digital spaces, and encouraging the re-emergence of ancestral kinship ties.

This workshop includes a discussion on the colonial impact on Indigenous territories and examines why it is important to know full, true histories in an effort to bring consciousness to the times we’re living in.

Canada Reads 2023

All Canada Reads shortlisted titles will be available at both branches mid February.

Author Talk & Self-Publishing discussion with Robert Bockstael. Featuring his debut novel Willow’s Run. Sunday October 30^th – 1pm – Lester Smith Recreation Centre – 32 Hay Creek Rd. Whitney, On This is a free program, hosted by The Township of South Algonquin Public Library

**Author Book Talk** Kevin Callan will be discussing his book “Once Around Algonquin” Free public event – May 18^th 2022, 7pm Madawaska Hall: 26 A Major Lake Rd. Madawaska, Ontario

Kevin (aka The Happy Camper) is the author of 18 books; his latest being Once Around Algonquin: An Epic Canoe Journey. He is an award-winning writer and a keynote speaker at outdoor events across North America. Kevin is also a regular guest on several television morning shows and CBC Radio. He has won several film awards, writes a column for Paddling Magazine and Explore Magazine. Kevin was listed one of the top 100 modern day explorers by the Canadian Geographical Society. He was also made Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada. Check out his web site at www.kevincallan.com and YouTube channel KCHappyCamper.

This Article can be found on the following pages: Library, you may find other valuable infomation there.

It is Time to Review & Update the Township of South Algonquin Official Plan!