ECRL What's New

Mulgrave Sing for Literacy

Mulgrave resident Chris Cook led the children in song to celebrate Family Literacy Day on Wednesday, January 27 at the Mulgrave Library during a "Sing for Literacy" special event. The Branch was hopping for an hour of singing, dancing and fun.

Port Hawkesbury Takes the Roof of Winter

The Port Hawkesbury Library staff are embracing this year's Take the Roof Off Winter campaign, sponsored by Recreation Nova Scotia. Visit the library and browse the eye-catching display they've put together featuring winter-themed books and activity sheets for children. For more information and tips on celebrating winter, visit www.taketheroofoffwinter.ca

Sparks visit Mulgrave Library

Members of the Mulgrave Sparks were welcomed to the Mulgrave Library to tour the library and Library Headquarters in order for them to meet the requirements for achieving their Community badge. In addition to the tour, the children were treated to a story time. Representing the Sparks were (left to right) Madison Crant, Brookly Ehler, Hannah Welsh, Payton McKeough, Chloe Keeping, Haley Vanderheide, Kristen Hadley, Emma Brennan, McKenna Murray, Nicole Parks. In the back row are Mulgrave Library Assistants Joyce Oliver-Snair(centre) and Tara O'Neill-Ryan.

Games @ the Library Week Winner

Daniel Samson of Arichat was one of several young people who participated in a special games night at the Petit de Grat Library recently and was also the winner of a chess set. The special event was part of " Games @ the Library Week", sponsored by the Atlantic Provinces Library Association, which took place between October 18-24, 2010 at library branches across the region. The event was held to promote the idea that libraries are places where people meet, learn, and have fun. As part of the promotion, Hasbro Canada has donated two board games that are available to use at each library.

Board Chair Shirley McNamara Receives Merit Award

Minister of Education, Marilyn More, presents the award to Shirley McNamara, recipient of the 2009 LBANS Merit Award. Picture provided by Ian White of Western Counties Regional Library.

Borrow Anywhere/Return Anywhere

Libraries Nova Scotia, a collaboration among all public, university and college libraries in Nova Scotia, launched the new Borrow Anywhere, Return Anywhere program yesterday. The announcement of the program was made by Marilyn More, Nova Scotia Minister of Education, at a reception attended by several University Librarians and Presidents, public library leaders and library staff who implemented the program.

The following link is the news release from the Department of Education about the program:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20091021003

2009 Share a Book Campaign

	Eastern Counties Regional Library launched its annual Share a Book fundraiser at the Petit de Grat library on Thursday, October 15. On hand to make a presentation to Chief Librarian Petra Mauerhoff, left, was Lori MacLean and Kris Allen, representing EnCana Corporation. In addition to the $4,000 cheque, EnCana will match all donations up to a maximum of $6,000. The fundraiser is being held until November 30, 2009. Donations can be made at any ECRL location in the counties of Inverness, Richmond, or Guysborough or mailed directly to library headquarters in Mulgrave. For more information about the campaign, please call the library at 747-2597.
Shirley McNamara, left, Chair of the Eastern Counties Regional Library Board of Directors, receives a Share a Book donation from Millie Hatt, coordinator of the Richmond County Literacy Network. The $500 amount will be doubled by EnCana corporation and used to purchase books and materials for the library.
	Shirley McNamara, left, Chair of the Eastern Counties Regional Library Board of Directors, receives a Share a Book donation of $1,000 from Cllr. Gail Johnson on behalf of Warden John Boudreau, Municipality of the County of Richmond.
Shirley McNamara, left, Chair of Eastern Counties Regional Library Board of Directors, receives a donation for the Share a Book fundraising campaign from Victor David, local business man and owner of Jeantie's Mini Mart. The $500 contribution will be doubled by EnCana as part of the matching program.
	Local historian Don Boudrot was the featured guest at the Share a Book fundraising launch held at the Petit de Grat Library on Thursday, October 15. Boudrot shared his passion for the history of several Isle Madame communities highlighting several books he has published and indicated that he has recently put the finishing touches on his latest work entitled Memoirs of a Boy Growing Up in Cape Breton.

40th Anniversary in Sherbrooke

The Sherbrooke Library celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday,
October 10. Representatives of the following area businesses and
organizations who have shown exceptional support to the Sherbrooke Library were presented with certificates of recognition. (left to right) Back Row:
Ron Stanfield, Lions Club; Heather Laybolt, Manager of the Royal Bank,
Sherbrooke Branch; Angie Conway, Manager of Shoppers Drug Mart; Donald Dunbar, Municipal Councillor; Keith Gallant, Director of Personnel, Sherbrooke Village; Petra Mauerhoff, CEO/Chief Librarian Eastern Counties Regional Library; Front Row: Constable Chad Morrison, Sherbrooke Detachment.

ECRL Board says Goodbye

ECRL Board Chair, Shirley McNamara, second from left, presents outgoing CEO Petra Mauerhoff with a gift on behalf of the ECRL Board and staff at the October 7, 2009 meeting of the ECRL Board of Directors. Ms. Mauerhoff will be leaving the Eastern Counties Regional Library to take a new position out of province. On hand for the presentation were(seated, left to right) Susan Mallette, McNamara, Mauerhoff, Elaine Durling, and Gail Johnson. (Back row, left to right) Myles MacPherson and Tom Kavanaugh.

Volunteer Sector Resource Collection

Eastern Counties Regional Library recently received a collection of books of specific interest to volunteers and non-profit organizations. Having a look at the Voluntary Sector Resource Collection are Aurea Gillis, Library Assistant, (left) and Trish McCormick, Systems Librarian for Eastern Counties Regional Library. The collection is available at branches, Libr@ry link sites, and online at ecrl.library.ns.ca

ECRL 40th Anniversary

	Eastern Counties Regional Library and the Mulgrave branch celebrated their 40th anniversary on Saturday, October 3, 2009 with special guests, cake cutting and a book sale. On hand that day were staff members including : (Back row, standing, left to right) Lesley Carruthers, Laura Warner, Joyce Oliver-Snair, Lana Hadley, Rhonda Strachan, Kathy Fitzpatrick, and Petra Mauerhoff, Chief Librarian (Front row, seated) Victoria Cronin, Mary Landry, Tara O'Neill-Ryan, Mildred Carrigan, and Cheryl Chiavari.
ECRL Chief Librarian Petra Mauerhoff (left) and ECRL Board Chair Shirley McNamara cut the cake to celebrate the 40th anniversary at the library. ECRL headquarters and the branch libraries in Canso, Mulgrave, and Sherbrooke all opened their doors in 1969.
	Avid reader and library supporter, Abbie Warner of Mulgrave, carefully scans the prices at the ECRL's book sale held in Mulrave in conjunction with the library's 40th anniversary. Abbie was also a recipient that day of a Reader's Challenge certificate awarded to children who read 40 books in the weeks leading up to the official ceremony held on Saturday, October 3, 2009

ECRL 40th Anniversary Banner

Mildred Carrigan,(left), veteran staff member at Eastern Counties Regional Library headquarters, and Chief Librarian Petra Mauerhoff hold the banner that will be displayed on the Mulgrave building promoting the anniversary celebrations taking place from September 29- October 3, 2009. Events include a display of works by former Mulgrave resident Bernie MacDonald on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 29 and 30 from 2:30 - 7:30 pm and Thursday, October 1 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm; a display entitled "Memories of ECRL Headquarters and Mulgrave" on Thursday, October 1 from 7:00 - 9:00pm, and the official anniversary celebrations planned for Saturday, October 3 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Opening ceremony, award presentations and cake-cutting are scheduled to start at 1:00, followed by the library's first ever "mini" book sale in the garage, as well as a BBQ and facepainting for children sponsored by the Mulgrave Volunteer Fire Hall and the Town of Mulgrave Recreation Department. The library extends an invitation to the public to come out and enjoy the festivities. For further information, call the library at 747-2597

Margaree Reads

The Drs. Coady & Tompkins Memorial Library was the location of a special celebration, "Margaree Reads", held on Wednesday, July 22 to
honour the Antigonish Movement and to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of Moses Coady's landmark book, "Masters of Their Own Destiny". On hand for the celebration were (left to right) Fraser Dunn, who spoke about Dr. Moses Coady and Father Jimmy Tompkins, Mary Landry, representing Eastern Counties Regional Library, special guest presenter Sr. Peggy MacFarlane, Mary Coady, and Library Assistant Anne LeBlanc. For further information about the book, the work of Moses Coady, and the anniversary celebrations which were also celebrated in Antigonish and in Canso, please visit www.antigonishreads.ca. Picture contributed with permission by Chris
McDaniel, The Inverness Oran.

Presenter Fraser Dunn shares his stories of Coady and Tompkins in their younger days, reflecting on the "historical happenings and conicidences that helped keep them rooted in their mission in their province and abroad." (source: The Inverness Oran, Chris McDaniel, August 5, 2009). Picture contributed with permission by CHris McDaniel, The Inverness Oran.

Canso Reads

Canso Library staff hosted a special "Canso Reads" event on Thursday, July 23 to honour the Antigonish Movement and to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of Moses Coady's landmark book, "Masters of Their Own Destiny". On hand for the celebration were Canso Library Assistant Sandra Dixon, left, and special guests Sr. Peter Claver McNeary and Sr. Stella Chafe from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha. For further information about the book, the work of Moses Coady, and the anniversary celebrations which were also celebrated in Antigonish and at the Drs. Coady & Tompkins Memorial Library in Margaree Forks, please visit www.antigonishreads.ca.

Helene Boudreau visits Petit de Grat

Petit de Grat native and author Hélène Boudreau visited the Petit de Grat Library last week as part of the TD Summer Reading Club program, Agent 009. Hélène spoke about her children's book "Crimebusting and Detection".

2009 Annual Book Sale at HQ

	The 9th annual book sale at Eastern Counties Regional Library attracted crowds of avid readers on Saturday, July 18 during the Scotiadays festival in Mulgrave. Because of the large volume of books available this year, the book sale will continue at ECRL headquarters in Mulgrave during open hours from 8:00am - 4:00pm until August 4. For information, call ECRL headquarters at 747-2597.
Staff were kept busy at the checkout table during the book sale.

Canso Summer Reading Program Play

Canso Library staff and children participating in this year's TD Summer Reading Program enjoyed preparations and performance of their play, "The Case of the Vanishing Student". The play, which was also written and performed by the participants, was performed at the library on Friday, July 24 in keeping with this year's theme, "Agent 009". (Back, left to right) Courtney Bent, Brenden Dixon, Megan Bent, Kasey Dixon, and Logan MacNeil. (Front) Sandra Dixon, Canso Library Assistant.

Staff BBQ

	Franz Bieber puts the finishing touches on the new ECRL picnic table.
On Friday, June 26th, HQ staff held a BBQ at lunchtime. Here they are trying out the new picnic table.

Canso Display for Stanfest

Janet Delorey shows off the library display for the annual Stanfest weeknd coming up July 3, 4, and 5 in Canso.