SPL@SH Newsletter
Spring/Summer 09

Find out what has been going on at the library over the past couple of months. This issue says a big “Thank you” from Stratford Public Library. Also, in the newsletter is information about our summer programs and volunteer opportunities. SPL@sh Newsletter

Added July 6, 2009

Canada Day
The library will be closed on July 1st for Canada Day. Regular hours will resume on July 2nd.

Added June 29, 2009

Closed Sundays
May 10 will be the last day that the library is open for its Sunday hours until the fall. Sunday hours will resume on October 17.

Added April 27, 2009

A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Festival
For the second year in a row, librarian Robyn Godfrey is leading talks on plays being presented at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the 2009 season. The sessions are free and are held on Tuesdays in the Library Auditorium.
More information.

Added April 20, 2009

Website Maintenance
Maintenance is being performed on the library's website on Monday, April 13 (Easter Monday) between 10:30 am and 11:30 am. During this time the library's website and online catalogue will not be available. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Added March 30, 2009

DVDS may now be put in the book drop
Renew your items easily online 24/7, or by phone during Library hours....and new this week: borrowed DVDs may be returned anytime using the outdoor return slot!
CDs must still be returned inside the library due to their fragile nature.

Added March 27, 2009

The Friends of SPL Annual General Meeting
April 8, 7:30pm
All Friends of the Stratford Public Library and anyone interested in becoming a Friend are invited to the Annual General Meeting which is held in the Library Auditorium.

Added March 27, 2009

Food for Fines
Thank you to everyone who brought in food to pay off their library fines during Ontario Public Library Week, October 15 - 20. In total we were able to take 85 bags of food to the House of Blessing! Congratulations everyone.

Added December 18, 2007

New Logo!
The Stratford Public Library launched a bright new logo during Ontario Public Library Week Oct. 15-21.
The captivating green and yellow striped umbrella, accompanied by the tagline ‘Open up your world!’ will appear on all library correspondence, brochures and the website.
“We’re really excited about this new upbeat look,” says Sam Coghlan, Library Director and CEO. “We think this is a perfect symbol for the library since everyone is welcome under the umbrella of our many programs and services. The library is a place where you can ‘open up your world,’ regardless of age, interest or ability.”

Added November 21, 2007

New Poet-in-Residence Aims to be "An Ambassador of Poetry"
The Stratford Public Library is pleased to announce the appointment of local poet, Charles Mountford, to the position of Poet-in-Residence at the Library.

Mountford has been assisting the Library for the past five years to bring well-known poets to Stratford, including Canada’s first Poet Laureate, George Bowering. He is a member of The League of Canadian Poets and The Writers’ Union of Canada. He has formerly been poet-in-residence at the St. Marys Library.

In his new position, it is his intention to create a Poetry Stratford reading series and workshop program. He is hoping to bring together Canadian poets of national acclaim with local poets. In order to do this he will draw on interested persons from the local high schools and the community at large. Evaluating manuscripts is not part of the current program, but he can be contacted about upcoming poetry-related programs.

Mountford states, “I am hoping that these programs will increase the interest in poetry in Stratford. We are confident that they will result in more exposure and success for the participants, as well as enjoyable events for the public at large. Certainly, this has happened in other areas, such as London, where published prize-winning emerging writers have come forth as a result of such a workshop and reading series.”

As this Poetry Stratford reading series and workshop program grows we ask for your support. Come out and see our local writers and the top poets in Canada are also being planned, and Mr. Mountford can be contacted by email at cmountford@pcin.on.ca.

Added October 30, 2007

How Libraries Stack Up
Did you know that almost ten times more people visit Canadian public libraries each year than Canadian NHL hockey games in the last three years ... combined? For interesting facts about Stratford Public Library and Canadian Libraries in general, read the Libraries: How They Stack Up document. (pdf, 1MG)

Added August 17, 2007

Knowledge Ontario
Knowledge Ontario is a province-wide initiative that is providing Ontario residents access to improved information resources. Knowledge Ontario consists of six components that will be put in place over time. The components are: Resources Ontario (online electronic resources), Ask Ontario (real-time, virtual reference services), Our Ontario.ca (digital library collections), Connect Ontario (a space for Ontarians to connect and interact with each other), Teach Ontario (online modules/learning tools to help students/teachers/business/individuals to use what Knowledge Ontario provides), and Video Ontario (will provide educational videos/content, particularly health information to Ontarians). The first of these components to become available to Ontarians is Resources Ontario, which provides Ontario residents access to a vast number of electronic resources.
You can access these resources by clicking here.

ServiceOntario @ the Libraries
Stratford Public Library and ServiceOntario are making it easier for individuals, businesses and families to get information and service how, when and where they want them.  Information about Ontario government services is now available at libraries in 42 locations across Ontario, including the Stratford Public Library.
Stratford Public Library is pleased to be able to provide you with the following services, in partnership with ServiceOntario:

• Answers to frequently asked questions about government services

• Referrals to government staff who can provide specialized help

• Access to a wide-range of government information relevant to your personal life, home or business.

Give the Library a call or Askspl@pcin.on.ca today!