Smiths Falls Public Library
81 Beckwith St N K7A 2B9 Smiths Falls, ON, Canada

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We recently uploaded a number of postcards to the Smiths Falls Digital Archive. This collection was lent to us by David Maddock, and serves as a great addition to the visual history of the town! You can view the collection online here: https://vitacollections.ca/smithsfallsdigitalarchi/results

Due to the province-wide lockdown, the Smiths Falls Public Library is open only for curbside pickup service starting Monday, December 28. In-person browsing and services like photocopying and computer use will not be available during this time. You can place books and other items on hold using our online catalogue at smithsfalls.insigniails.com or by calling us at 613-283-2911. Staff will contact you when items are available and arrange a time for pickup. As always, our online catalogue of ebooks and audiobooks through OverDrive and Libby is open 24/7.

New Take & Make craft kits for kids are ready to go! - Stained Glass Frames for ages 4-7 (pattern will be a random nature/animal shape) - Stained Glass Lanterns for ages 8+ Please email Debra at [email protected] to request a craft kit. Take & Make kits are available on a first come, first served basis. Limit of 1 per child. Kits will be available via curbside pickup by appointment only. Please do not come to the library without first contacting us.

This week’s LEGO Challenge: Towering Heights! Find this idea and more in the LEGO Games Book: 50 Fun Brainteasers, Games, Challenges, and Puzzles!, available for curbside pickup. Reserve online at smithsfalls.insigniails.com or call us at 613-283-2911. - You can do this by yourself or challenge family and friends... - Give each person the same number and size of LEGO - Set a timer for 60 seconds - Stack as many LEGO bricks as you can! - When the timer stops, set it for another 60 seconds - Is your tower still standing? Is it the tallest? Share a picture of your tallest LEGO towers in the comments below!

Happy #FridayReads! We just added these mystery and suspense books to the collection (full list below). Go online at smithsfalls.insigniails.com to reserve for curbside pickup. You can also call us at 613-283-2911 or email us at [email protected] Robert B. Parker’s Someone to Watch Over Me by Ace Atkins... The Ancient Dead by Barbara Fradkin Twelve Days of Winter by Stuart MacBride The Scorpion’s Tail by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous No Fixed Line by Dana Stabenow See more

We are still open for curbside service during the lockdown, but due to Stay-at-Home measures we are operating with limited staff. It may take longer than usual for us to respond to inquiries and to fill orders for pickup. Please leave us a message and we will get back to you as quickly as we can! Thank you for your support and understanding. TIP: You can check your account and renew and reserve library items online by visiting smithsfalls.insigniails.com Need to reach us?... Call us at 613-283-2911 or email us at [email protected] You can also send us a message on Facebook. Need something to read right now? Check out our collection of ebooks and audiobooks on OverDrive. Log in using your library card at odmc.overdrive.com or download the Libby app on your device to start browsing. Visit www.smithsfallslibrary.ca/ebooks for helpful guides on how to get started.

Although the current lockdown and Stay-at-Home order may limit certain activities, there are still safe and fun ways you can enjoy the outdoors by yourself or in a small group! Find some tips you can use even during the winter in these books and more, available for curbside pickup at the Smiths Falls Public Library. Call us at 613-283-2911 or visit smithsfalls.insigniails.com to reserve. ... Hiking Trails of Ottawa: The National Capital Region and Beyond by Michael Haynes The Hiking Companion: Getting the Most from the Trail Experience Throughout the Season by Michael W. Robbins Birds of Ontario by Andy Bezener Birds of Ottawa and Vicinity by Gerald McKeating Basic Essentials: Cooking in the Outdoors by Cliff Jacobson Camping Guide: Camping Skills You Need by Edward T. Nickens Be A Survivor by Chris Oxlade 1001 Fishing Tips: The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Catching More and Bigger Fish by Lamar Underwood Forest Animals: Field Guide & Drawing Book by Walter Foster Jr. 100 Easy-to-Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens by Lorraine Johnson 100 Best Plants for the Ontario Garden by Steve Whysall Wildlife Gardening: How to Bring Birds and Bugs to Your Backyard by Martin Cox

Due to the upcoming province-wide lockdown, the Smiths Falls Public Library will be open only for curbside pickup service starting Monday, December 28. Other services like photocopying and computer use will not be available during this time. Our last day open to the public will be Thursday, December 24 (1:00 3:00 PM). You can place books and other items on hold using our online catalogue ( smithsfalls.insigniails.com ) or by calling us at 613-283-2911. Staff will contact you when items are available and arrange a time for pick up. As always, our online catalogue of ebooks and audiobooks through OverDrive and Libby is open 24/7.

Spend more time outside this year by joining the Smiths Falls Public Library Get Outdoors Club! Share your outdoor adventures and photos with us using the hashtag #GetOutsideSFPL This week’s challenge: How to Hand-Feed a Chickadee 1. Make sure you have a feeder in your yard and keep it filled regularly. Sunflower seeds are a favourite of Chickadees.... 2. Stand 3 metres back from the feeder for about 10 minutes. Each day stand a little closer until the birds don’t mind you standing right beside the feeder. Be as still as possible. You can try making soft ‘pishing’ noises if you like. 3. Remove the feeder and fill a bowl or cup with the seeds. Hold the bowl with your hands where you had the feeder. DO NOT MOVE. You are a tree now, just holding the feeder. Do this for as long as you can manage everyday for a few days. 4. After a few days of the birds eating from your bowl, try using your bare hand. Pour the seeds into you hand and hold them out. Be VERY still. They might fake you out a few times flying in close then flying away. Remain still and earn their trust. Soon one will land on your hand! Find this activity and more in The Big Book of Nature Activities: A Year-Round Guide to Outdoor Learning by Jacob Rodenburg, available on OverDrive or Libby.

A reminder that our hours today, Thursday, December 24 will be 1:00 - 3:00 PM. We will be closed for Christmas and lockdown and begin curbside pickup on Monday, December 28. Have a Merry Christmas!

Keep your kids reading over the holidays! There’s still time to come in and pick up a copy of our next Virtual Kids' Book Club title: Restart by Gordon Korman. Contact Debra at 613-283-2911 or send an email to [email protected] to register and your child can join us to talk about the book on January 28! Grade 5 and up.

Congratulations to the winners of our Holiday Movies Photo Contest! Winner: Jenn Brown It’s A Wonderful Life Runner-up: Ayden Giff A Christmas Story

Christmas is this week! Let’s see what holiday themed books you have! Show us your Christmas collection!

Come in and grab some books and movies to enjoy over Christmas! Our Holiday Hours start this Thursday, December 24. Thursday, Dec 24 (1 - 3 pm) Friday, Dec 25 (CLOSED) Saturday, Dec 26 (CLOSED)... Sunday, Dec 27 (CLOSED) Monday, Dec 28 (1 - 8 pm) Tuesday, Dec 29 (1 - 8 pm) Wednesday, Dec 30 (1 - 8 pm) Thursday, Dec 31 (1 - 3 pm) Friday, Jan 1 (CLOSED) Saturday, Jan 2 (10 - 4:30) Sunday, Jan 3 (CLOSED) We are back to regular hours on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Contest Alert! To kick off Canadian Library Month, we want to hear from you! What does the library mean to you? Write a short response or poem about why you love the library, or about your favourite library-related memory and you could win a prize! Responses can be submitted online via the link below, or in person at the library. Please read and make sure you understand the full contest rules and conditions before submitting your response.... Submit online responses here: forms.gle/oKs3DjejBfjVhpdr6 Entry forms for in person responses can be found at the main desk. Terms and Conditions: By submitting a response, you agree to allow the Smiths Falls Public Library to publicly post your response online across social media platforms such as Facebook and the Smiths Falls Public Library website. Responses may also be displayed in library. If your response is selected as a winner, you agree to have your response and name shared as part of the prize conditions. You must be a member of the Smiths Falls Public Library to participate and be eligible for a prize. If you are under 18, you must have permission from a parent or guardian to participate and be eligible for a prize. Responses containing offensive, vulgar, or plagiarized material will be automatically disqualified. Entries must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 17th, 2020 to be considered for a prize. Only one entry per person.

Thank you to Ron Labelle for his support of our children's department. Handmade craft items made by a local artist just in time for Christmas - just what we want for our Christmas shopping!

Hey everyone! Last week we showed off the books we read the most. A common trend among the books was that they were mostly childhood favourites. This week we want to see books that were signed by the author! Tell us the story behind that!

Here’s what’s happening this month!

This year marks 20 years since the start of First Nations Public Library Week. Since 2000, First Nation Public Libraries have used one week of the year to raise awareness of their resources, services, programs and activities. First Nations Public Library Week is celebrated the first week of October to coincide with Canadian Library Month. Visit https://fnplw.olsn.ca/ for daily online programming and activities. #FNPLW

September 30 is #OrangeShirtDay, a day to respect and honour residential school survivors, and to remember those who did not make it. For more information about the history and significance of Orange Shirt Day, visit www.orangeshirtday.org We have a number of children’s titles about Indigenous issues such as residential schools and reconciliation available at the library. Come in or call us to borrow the titles featured below and keep the conversation going. Every Child Matte...rs. The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer Speaking Our Truth: A journey of Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith These Are My Words by Ruby Slipperjack Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton As Long as the Rivers Flow by Constance Brissenden and Larry Loyie Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell Stolen Words by Melanie Florence Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past by Cindy Blackstock Spirit Bear: Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams by Cindy Blackstock Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams by Cindy Blackstock Spirit Bear and Children Make History by Cindy Blackstock

Virtual teen night starts this week! Be sure to register if you or your teen wants to participate!

Happy Monday! Last week we saw our patrons Oldest books. The oldest was a book from 1895! Second oldest was a tie between a copy of David Copperfield and a cook book from 1903. Third was a historical atlas from 1905-10! Wow! This week show us the book you’ve read the most! Just like last time take a picture of the book, share it in the comments below and tell us about it!

Attention parents of Teens! Teen night will be temporarily moving online to Zoom! If you’d like your 12+ teen to participate please register with an email and sign the permission form. We will be starting in October! Make sure you or your teen are following the @sflibraryteenpage on Instagram or Facebook so you don’t miss out on what’s going on!

Introducing a new online program for bookworms of all ages! Look at my Book is like show and tell with your books! Each week there will be a new theme. This week’s theme is oldest book! So in the comments below share a picture of the oldest book you own and tell us a bit about it. What year was it published? Is it first edition? Did you get it new or did you inherit it! We are looking forward to seeing what you got!

Happy #ReadAnEbookDay! What ebook are you currently reading? Check out what we have available at odmc.overdrive.com! Share what you’re reading or why you love ebooks with #EBOOKLOVE on social media for a chance to win a Libby Swag Kit! To learn more visit readanebookday.com

There's still time to vote for your favourite to win the 2020 Evergreen Award! Click below for more information and to view this year's nominees. Ballots can be cast online through the link below OR on paper ballots available at the main desk. One vote per person.

The Friends of the Smiths Falls Library are hosting a Pop-Up Book Sale this Saturday, September 19, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in front of the library. Fill a bag for $10! Please follow physical distancing guidelines. Hands must be sanitized before viewing (sanitizer will be provided).

Come in and pick up a free "Back 2 School" Take & Make kit for teens! Available at the main desk while supplies last.