What runs the world? Words! We all know that deep down. We have rules composed of words that run our lives, towns, countries … we have books, newspapers, lists, signs, songs full of words. And we tell stories with words and that may be one of their best uses. Because its all about the word, I want to entice you to wake up your inner writer and get yourself ready for the Annual World of Words Writers Workshop & Reading event. This annual program is a joint venture of the Kent-Harrison Arts Council and FVRL Agassiz Library and this year, we are nearly speechless with excitement as we have booked author Aislinn Hunter. She has just released a new book, “The World Before Us” in Canada, with its imminent release in the US and UK following in March. Aislinn is a writer of fiction, poetry and non-fiction and her words spring from a life of eclectic interests, time spent living in multiple countries, plus an education in Art History and Creative Writing. There may be a little influence gleaned from experiences with a husband and border collies. All grist for the mill. Award winning author, Helen Humphreys says of Aislinn, “Once in a rare while a novel comes along to remind us of what great fiction can do: creating a world so sublimely felt that, for the hours we spend reading, we are lifted out of our own lives, and when we return we find ourselves immeasurably altered and enriched. The World Before Us by Aislinn Hunter is such a novel.” Ms. Hunter will offer this years writers workshop on Saturday, March 7, from 1 to 4 pm at Agassiz Library. As always, this is free, and registration is optional, but we encourage you to call Agassiz Library to ensure your spot. It will be an active writing experience, and you will be guided by a pro to get your words out, and on paper. To add to this weekend of word-ificness, Aislinn will be doing a reading from her new book as well as from her other works of fiction and poetry at the Ranger Station Art Gallery at 7 pm the same day. Who needs to leave town to enjoy workshops and readings?
To follow up with a few more library tidbits, have you heard of the new weekly clubs we are trying out this year? Wednesdays is the grown ups chance to play everyone’s favourite word game, Scrabble. Wednesdays in March, from 2 to 4 pm, lovers of the letter come and can drop in and enjoy a game of Scrabble with a new friend, or bring an old friend. All skill levels welcomed, strictly for fun. Game boards, coffee and Scrabble dictionary supplied. Equally fabulous is our weekly Lego© Club. For school age kids, it doesn’t get much better than spending time after school on a wintery day with a room full of Lego© and friends, new and old. The power that Lego© cannot be underestimated. It builds creativity, literacy skills (seriously!) and friendships – a perfect partnership that truly illustrates the truth of FVRLs vision … Read. Learn. Play. This happens every Thursday from 3 – 5 pm, and has been extended to go until the end of March. 15 pounds of new Lego© has just been purchased for the Library by the most wonderful of volunteer groups, the Agassiz Library Society: Friends of the Library, so send your kids to the library for an afterschool snack and some quality Lego© time. One more classic Agassiz Library program to mention is the Friday Preschool Storytime. It is going strong, and just because we have made our way through the alphabet, doesn’t mean the fun ends. March is World Cultures Month in libraryland, and we have special musical guest, Sam Taylor bringing sounds from around the world to our preschoolers. Sure to be wonderful for the small and the tall. Every Friday in March at 10:15, free, drop in, Crackle says – be there or be square!
I do have one announcement that you should be aware of. Starting on Wednesday, March 11, we will no longer be open until 8 pm on that day. The library will be closing at 5 pm every Wednesday hereafter. In a perfect world we would be here 24/7, but, alas, the world isn’t quite perfect yet.
As I head back into the stacks, I just want to let you know that if you liked the Ducktivities Pro D day workshop, or family members missed it, Fraser Valley Regional Library has a great selection of books that can inspire and guide your own ductape projects. Drop in to get one, order online or ask us to help. You are nobody until you are packing something in your life made of daringly designed ductape. On that note, keep reading and see you at your library.
Terrill Scott, Library Supervisor