It’s clear that Joan Schrader really cares about libraries, and she also has an eye for birds.
The fundraising auction recently held by the Agassiz Library Society: Friends of the Library brought the two together.
An original painting by Rosa Quintana Lillo, from her Extinct Bird Series, was graciously donated to the library’s volunteers so it could be used to generate a donation supporting children’s literacy programs in the Agassiz-Harrison area.
Rosa lives in our beautiful little valley, but is a noted artist all over North America and in Europe.
On a cold and stormy day, Joan made the trek to Agassiz Library, and saw Rosa’s striking picture on display. She found its piercing gaze irresistible, and put in the winning bid.
Joan will be sending the picture to live in Portland, Oregon, to be enjoyed by family while the proceeds of her donation will benefit the children in the community, and more people can enjoy Rosa’s art. Everyone wins!
The Agassiz Friends of the Library are thankful that they are supported by the community and can, in turn, support the library and its services.
In another bit of news for a new year, Agassiz Library got new carpeting in the meeting room.
This busy room serves children at storytime and Lego Club and adults at programs such as the Genealogy Club, the Writers’ Circle and much more.
It is also available for exam proctoring and for any group that needs space to meet.
This little reno means that all the wonderful things hidden in cupboards, in corners and on shelves had to be taken out, then put back in.
We are working as fast as we can, so there is a small delay in the start of programming this year, but it will be worth it.
Family Storytime starts on Friday, Jan. 19 at 10:15 a.m. Lego Club will start on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m . (after school).
Grownups can try out the Agassiz Library Hooked on Books Book Club, which will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Also hugely popular is the Agassiz Library Genealogy Club and its next meeting is on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the library.
Check out the website fvrl.bc.ca for ongoing Agassiz Library programming. There is something for everyone!
One of the best parts of the job of librarian is the back-and-forth sharing and hearing. What great things we all find in the library.
Over these cold days, I have on my reading-side table a great recommend – The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell.
It’s the story of a young student named Samantha,who is the last relative and about eight generations away from the famous literary Brontes.
Samantha was homeschooled by an eccentric father, and the characters and plot unfold in a way that keeps you from going to bed at a decent time.
There are lots of name-drops and references to the Brontes and their contemporaries, which makes it a delightful blast from the past.
Keeping it interesting, too, is the intrigue as the bad guy tries to uncover Bronte treasures that the world thinks she has secreted away, and the darkly, interesting professor that Samantha is tutored by. I am savouring it!
My other find was the newly released-to-DVD movie Maudie. This award-winning movie is about Nova Scotia artist Maude Lewis and is such a good film!
If you haven’t been to the library lately, or if you haven’t been to the library ever, let it be a resolution to come down and make use of it. It belongs to you, after all.
It is really worthwhile now, as any fines you might have can be paid off in food items that then go directly to our local food bank at Agassiz-Harrison Community Services.
It’s worth making your way through the slush and puddles to take advantage of this.
While you are in, you can enter to win a book in the Family Literacy contest. In the meantime, stay cozy and see you in the stacks.
– Terrill Scott, library supervisor