Happy 2012!

Keeping Up Locally
One of my New Year's resolutions is to try and stay up on what's happening in and about Stratford. It's not only important for my job, but also for my personal life. There's a lot of interesting things happening in Stratford! Check some of these sites out - they are all about local news, events and services.

The Beacon Herald

The Beacon Heralds is Stratford's daily newspaper and their website has many of the published articles, photos, obituaries and classified. The Beacon can also be followed on Facebook and on Twitter, so be sure to follow them for up to the minute news.
If you are looking for back issues of the Beacon, SPL has access to the paper digitally from April 2000 to the present.

Stratford Gazette

Stratford's weekly paper - the Stratford Gazette, is also a great way to stay up on what's going on in Stratford. The Gazette even has a free mobile app to stay in the know on the go! Many articles from the back issues can be found in the library's Infotrac Newsstand database [access with your library card number]

i on Stratford

I on Stratford is a new multimedia interactive website for local news and entertainment. Read articles, watch videos, comment, share. You can connect with them on facebook, twitter and youtube pages as well.

Start Stratford

The arts and culture community in Stratford is a thriving community. Start Stratford is an online magazine that showcases the vibrant and diverse art community in the Stratford area. For instance the January issue of Start Stratford profiles Joyce Campion, Daniel Ramjattan and Poetry Stratford.

Graham Television

Graham Television focuses on news and entertainment in Perth County. Stories are provided in video format for you to enjoy. There are even live local programs! For videos of past Library events, click on Local Scene and then Authors.

Tech Tip

Returning eBooks early is something that is important to do when you have finished reading one of the downloadLibrary eBook titles. This removes the eBook from your account and allows someone else to enjoy the digital title (and in turn, reduces wait times for everyone!)
If using Adobe Digital Editions: Open Adobe Digital Editions > In Bookshelf View, Click on the arrow in the left corner of the book you want to return > Select Return Borrowed Item.
If using Overdrive Media Console on an Andoird or iOS device: Open Overdrive Media Console > Look at book title list > Click edit in top left corner > Click the delete circle on left of screen then the Delete button > Return then Delete.
If using a Kobo Vox: Connect to your wireless connection > Open Overdrive Media Console > Look at book title listing > Press and hold your finger on the book you want to return > A menu will appear - Press Delete > Press Delete and Return.
If using a Sony PRS-T1: Connect to your wireless connection > Open Overdrive Media Console > Look at book title listing > Press and hold your finger on the book you want to return > A menu will appear - touch Return Book

CJCS Radio

CJCS Radio is a go-to source for most Stratford residents. It gives you access to local news, sports, obituaries, weather, road reports, school and bus cancellations, community events and so much more. They too have a free iPhone / Blackberry app and are on Facebook.

Stratford Community Services

If you are looking for information on local services - this is it. Through the Community Services Department website, you can get information on all the different recreation programs offered by the City, book a facility, get information on the parks, transit and cemetery. This is also where you will find information on the 2012 Stratford Winterfest.

Leisure Activity Council

You know that great handbook of community event and services that comes out a few times a year? It's put out by the Leisure Activity Council. You can find the current (and past) handbook and monthly calendars on this website.

211 and Information Perth

Information Perth has a long history with the Stratford Public Library. It started with a binder that we kept full of information on community services and organizations here at the Library. Eventually we digitized the information and partnered with local organizations to add more information and keep it up to date. Now Information Perth is a program of the United Way and is the backbone of 211, the telephone service for information.

Stratford Smart City

In 2011, Stratford was honoured to be named on of the top 7 Smart Communities by the Intelligent Community Forum and we made it to the top 21 already for 2012. Check this site to keep up on the city's progress in becoming the most intelligent community in 2012.

Upcoming Events

Whale of a Tale

A FREE evening drop-in Family Story Time for preschoolers on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 7:15pm.  Bring your young ones in their pjs! Weekly Themes
Mondays 6:30-7:15pm | FREE | Library Auditorium

Winter Storytime Registration

Storytimes at the Library are offered in three eight week sessions per year. These storytimes are FREE thanks to the Friends of the Library! To register, call the library on January 11, 2012 after 10am at 519-271-0220. Program details

Help! I Got an eReader for Christmas!

Did you ask Santa for an eReader this Christmas? Perhaps a new Kobo, a Sony Reader, or an iPad? And now that you have one... you are wondering how to get the library's ebooks on it? You can do it yourself by using our printable help sheets, but we are also offering a number of sessions to give you a hand.
Drop In Support Clinics Bring in your eReader (and laptop) and get hands on assistance getting started.
- Saturday January 7, 1-3pm
Donuts & downloadLibrary Seminar Come watch a demonstration and learn how to download eBooks and transfer them to your eReaders. Bring a coffee... we will have the donuts.
- Tuesday January 10, 2-4pm
- Wednesday January 11, 6-8pm
- Saturday January 14, 1-3pm

Donation Day

The Library is happy to accept donations of gently used books, books on cd, compact discs and videos. Donations may be dropped off at SPL on one of its designated Donation Days. For further information, contact the Library at 519-271-0220 ext. 34. Donations should be dropped off between 10am and 5pm at the back door of the library (off the parking lot). Ring the buzzer to be let in. The next Donation Day is January 27, 2012.

Thursday Theatre

Come to the Optimist Hall on Thursdays at 1:30 to watch a feature film! (doors open at 1pm) Thursday Theatre is a program held in partnership with Community Living Stratford and Area. Movie listing
Thursdays 1:30-3:30pm (approx) | $2pp (includes snack) | 72 Water Street, Stratford [map]

Good Book Group

The Good Book Group is an ever changing group of people who enjoy getting together to discuss books. They meet at the Library on the 4th Tuesday of each month, 7pm. For details on upcoming books click here or call John Patterson for more information - 519-273-3523.
January 24 7pm | Library Auditorium | The Know-It-All by A. J. Jacobs [Non-Fiction]

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