Read freely.Freedom to Read week is celebrated annually at the Stratford Public Library and at libraries across the country.

Through reading, we are able to expand our minds and explore places we never thought possible.

By defending the freedom to read, libraries protect intellectual freedom and raise awareness about censorship. Stratford Public Library - Ever. Wonder.

"Yes, books are dangerous. They should be

dangerous - they contain ideas." - Pete Hautman

Freedom to Read Week

FEB 23 - 29

19 ST ANDREW STREET | 519.271.0220 | SPLIBRARY.CA

JAN & FEB2020

for kis

9:45 – 11:30

WED JAN 8

TO JUNE 24

PARENTS & TOTS (PLOW) Play, sing and read together! Join Public Library on Wheels (PLOW) to share in the fun of learning. Library materials are available to take home and enjoy. LOCATION: AVON MENNONITE CHURCH (90 GREENWOOD DRIVE, STRATFORD)

BABY STEPS Giggles! Bounces! Oh My! Join Diane for a morning of rhymes, songs and stories for babies with their parents and caregivers. Come early to socialize and play before storytime. WEDNESDAYS, 10:15AM - 11:15AM | FEB 5 - MAY 27 STORY STARTERS Activity stations bring stories to life which help children learn through play, talking, singing, listening and reading. THURSDAYS, 10:30AM - 11:30AM | JAN 23 - MAR 26

WEEKLY

FAMILY LITERACY DAY DEAR FAMILIES | 3:30-5:00PM Dear families, you are cordially invited to a Family Literacy Day event in partnership with the Stratford Perth Museum. Attendees also enjoy free admission to the Museum. LOCATION: STRATFORD PERTH MUSEUM, 4275 HURON ST. FAMILY LITERACY DAY PARTY | 6:30-7:30PM Come and celebrate Family Literacy Day through songs, stories and games. LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

MONJAN 27

2:30 - 3:30

SUN JAN 19

CUSHION CONCERT Take in the beautiful sounds of the cello and clarinet with Kaye and Ron Royer. Join in the musical fun with hands-on demonstrations of the instruments. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STRATFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

PA DAY FUN IMAGINE THAT | 10:30-11:30AM Kids can turn boxes into airplanes, blankets into forts, and sticks into magic wands. There is no limit to the imagination! Let your imagination soar at this PA Day program. CARDBOARD CONJUNCTION | 2:00-4:00PM Ever wonder what wonders you can make out of cardboard? Create amazing recycled cardboard creations all afternoon! LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

FRIJAN 31

MONDAYS6:30 – 7:15

WHALE OF A TALE Looking for ways to make learning to read a playful experience? Join us for interactive storytelling, songs, puppets, crafts, and play. LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

for kis

MAKERSPACE OPEN LABSEver wonder what you can create? Try a 3D print, use the vinyl cutter to make custom projects, turn photo negatives into digital files, or design with Adobe software. You can even try coding a robot! A knowledgeable staff person will help get you started. Makers must have a valid Library Card. Closed January 1 and February 15.TUESDAYS 1-4PM WEDNESDAYS 1-4PM THURSDAYS 6-8:30PM SATURDAYS 1-4PM

WEEKLY

Youth ages 9-11 must have an adult with them during Open Labs.

for teens6:30 - 8:00

TUE JAN 28 FEB 11 FEB 25

EARN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER HOURS Get your community volunteer hours while making new friends and helping out your community at Library LEOs! Snacks and supplies provided. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STRATFORD & ST. MARYS LIONS CLUBS LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

3:30 - 5:00

WED JAN 15

TO FEB 12

SEW SIMPLE Learn how to hand sew after school with your friends and create some great projects! All supplies provided. Ages 9+ REGISTER: shengeveld@stratford.ca / x 131 LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

SAT FEB 1

TO JUNE 6

SATURDAY FUN PAWS 4 READING | 10:30-11:30AM The best listeners are our four-legged friends, so who better to read to than our furry companions? St. John Ambulance volunteers will be visiting us with their therapy dogs to join in the fun on the first Saturday of each month from January - June. LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY LOWER FLOOR LEGOMANIA | 2:00-4:00PM Imagine! Build! Create! Discover the endless possibilities of LEGO during this free, drop-in program for all ages. LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

READING BUDDIES Reading is better with a buddy! This 8 week reading support program gives children one-to-one reading practice with a trained volunteer. Both French and English reading buddies are available from 4:00-4:30pm or 4:30-5:00pm. LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY LOWER FLOOR REGISTRATION BEGINS JANUARY 6. PROGRAM RUNS FEBRUARY 4 - MARCH 24. REGISTER: TMACGREGOR@PCIN.ON.CA / X 140

TUE FEB 4

TO MAR 24

DROP N' SWAP: ACCESSORIES EDITIONDROP: FRIDAY JANUARY 10 | 12:00PM - 5:30PM Drop off your clean, gently-loved accessories at the Library. Donors will receive an early bird voucher to shop on January 11 at 10am. [See website for acceptable items: splibrary.ca/drop]

SWAP: SATURDAY JANUARY 11 | 11:00AM - 3:00PM Bring your own bag and "shop" for treasures (no money required!) Donors can start shopping at 10am. LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

for aults

CAREGIVER CONNECTION GROUP Do you provide support or care to someone? Connect with other caregivers for a coffee break on the 4th Monday of each month. LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

MONJAN 27 FEB 24

10:30 - 11:30

PINTS AND PAGES Come meet – over a pint – and discuss whatever it is you've been reading - be it a book, a magazine, a blog, or even a Twitter thread. LOCATION: The Queen's Inn, 161 Ontario St. JAN 20 | FEB 17 | MAR 16 | APR 20 | MAY 18 | JUN 15, 6:30-9:00pm

OPERA NOTES WITH ANN REYNOLDS What's the difference between a cabaletta and cavatina? How about a soprano or soubrette? Explore the world of opera with Ann Reynolds. REGISTER: rgodfrey@stratford.ca / x 132 LOCATION: STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

FRIDAYS IN

FEBRUARY2:00 – 3:00

FRI JAN 10

& SAT

JAN 11

et' Do ! 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Bullet Journaling

Learn how to make the most of the short

winter days!

WED JAN

8

Sugar Scrub

Mix up your own sugar scrub that doubles as a winter skin rejuvenator!

Salsa Dancing

Get your groove on with Elizabeth Bernal at this intro dancing session!

Beat the winter blues and try something new! Registration required. Register with Robyn at rgodfrey@stratford.ca / x 132

WED JAN15

WED JAN22

FULLWED FEB

5

Cookie Jar Gardens Craft a cookie jar

garden (aka winter air purifier)

FULL

WEEKLYTECH TUTORSWant to use your device to its fullest? We can help with that! Tech Tutors are available for free, drop in sessions, three times a week on the main floor of the library. Bring your device and get support. (No tutors available January 4)TUESDAYS 10:30AM - 12:30PM WEDNESDAYS 4:00PM - 6:00PM SATURDAYS 10:30AM - 12:30PM

NEW NEIGHBOUR NIGHT New to the area? Haven't met anyone around town? Drop in for refreshments at New Neighbours Night, the perfect opportunity to gather at the library, meet other new people and local organizations! JAN 23 | FEB 27 | MAY 28 | JUN 25, 6:30-8:00pm Located in the Program Room

FreeDOM to ReaD WEEK FEBRUARY 23 - 29

IN THE STACKSBLIND DATE WITH A BOOK We dare you to check out one of these banned books from February 1 - 14th. Rate your date for a chance to win great prizes.

INTERACTIVE BOOK DISPLAYS Give the wheel a spin to see the many reasons why books are challenged!

BANNED BOOK TRADING CARDS Collect one-of-a-kind trading cards for a chance to win a prize!

BUTTON MAKING WORKSHOP Drop into the MakerSpace on Saturday February 29th from 1-4pm to make buttons promoting intellectual freedom. RISKY READING FOR TEENS Try out the banned book guessing game and check out the restricted section to see which books would have been banned 30 years ago.

BANNED BOOK TALKS Watch our daily book talk videos to find out the best challenged books and why you should read them next.

ONLINE QUIZZES Try our online quizzes to find out which banned book is your next great read.

BANNED BOOK LISTS Get full lists of our favourite books that have been challenged over the years.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

@stratfordpubliclibrary

@splibrary

@splibrary

Want more info on Freedom to Read week? Visit freedomtoread.ca

WHAT ARE SPL STAFF READING?

• We All Fall Down by Daniel Kalla

• Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow

• Akin by Emma Donoghue

• Primeval by David Golemon

• The Girl Who Lived Twice by David Lagercrantz

• Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis

• City of Endless Night by Preston & Child

• Murder on Millionaires' Row by Erin Lindsey

• Three Women by Lisa Taddeo

COMMUNITY ART CURRENT EXHIBITS: Stratford Quilt Club | Main Floor | January 12 - February 22 Cozy up with hand-crafted textile arts from the local quilt club. Photos of Kyiv | Auditorium | January 12 - February 22 This exhibit shares small moments from the perspective of a third generation Ukrainian Canadian travelling back to Ukraine for the first time, in the relatively quiet era of the early 2000s. UPCOMING EXHIBITS: Change Her World | Main Floor | February 22 - 27 Change Her World is a Canadian charity whose primary mandate is the education of girls in Northern Malawi, Africa. This exhibit will highlight accomplishments and invite people to learn more about how Change Her World is changing lives and communities.

Primeval by David L. Golemon "This book is a wild ride of a read that will keep you turning the pages. You don’t have to read the others in the series to understand what’s going on. Fans of James Rollins, Clive Cussler, and Steve Berry will like this New York Times best-selling author. " - J. Draper Chicken Girl by Heather Smith "Thirty or forty years ago, "Chicken Girl" might well have been banned in some school and public libraries because it addresses issues such as sexual assault, queer identity and coming out." - S. Hengeveld

BOOK REVIEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Find more great book reviews at spl.bibliocommons.com

LIBRARY HOURSSUNDAY 2PM - 5PMMONDAY 10AM - 9PMTUESDAY 10AM - 9PMWEDNESDAY 10AM - 9PMTHURSDAY 10AM - 9PMFRIDAY 10AM - 6PMSATURDAY 10AM - 5PM

If you require this document in an alternate format contact the Library by phone 519-271-0220 or email askspl@pcin.on.ca

CONNECT WITH US

UPCOMING CLOSURES Wednesday, January 1 (New Year's Day) Sunday, February 16 (Family Day) Monday, February 17 (Family Day)

19 ST ANDREW STREET | 519.271.0220 | SPLIBRARY.CA