Activities are picking up at the Castor Library.
With COVID-19 era restrictions easing somewhat, librarian Tess Griebel has been hard at work in the library making sure it is a welcoming space for all.
On school professional development days, she has begun offering craft sessions in the library but, unfortunately, due to the pandemic kids participating need to pre-register, and the spaces fill quickly.
Other changes in the library include a seeming increase in library memberships and a growing number of books in the library collection.
According to Griebel, she doesn’t have comparative statistics from 2020 to 2021, but there have been “lots of people” coming in to get memberships.
As for the books that have been added to the collection, they cover a varying range of topics, including cookbooks, poetry, and mindful living.
“We always take suggestions from patrons of what they want to see on our shelves,” said Griebel.
The library has also seen more kids coming in after school to use the library’s iPads.
“The iPads have been popular,” said Griebel.
With the holiday season fast approaching, plans are underway for some festive-themed activities to take place.
Griebel has said that there is already Christmas colouring pages out and available in the library for kids to take.
On Dec. 10, the library will be staying open late, until 8 p.m., participating in the “Spirit of Christmas” event on Main Street.
As part of the event, the library will be possibly doing some crafts and running a book sale.
Later in December, on Dec. 22 from 2-5 p.m., Mrs. Claus will be making her way to the library to have hot cocoa, cookies, and do crafts with kids while Santa gets ready for the big night.
The library will then close for the holidays on Dec. 24, reopening Jan. 3 to its usual hours.
Open three days a week, the library is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2 - 5 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m until noon.