Agincourt District Libraries Blog

Tea & Books @ Aginourt Branch

Have some Tea & Books!

Join us for an entertaining and relaxing afternoon and listen to librarians review and discuss recent publications, upcoming titles, and their all time favourite books.

Have a cup of tea and get some great reading suggestions for the summer!

 

Upcoming sessions at Agincourt Branch include:

• Tuesday May 28 2-3pm

• Tuesday June 25 2-3pm

• Monday July 29 2-3pm

• Monday August 26 2-3pm

No registration is required, just drop in!  Please call 416-396-8950 for more information.

 

Not Your Average Mom Books

What makes a Mom "good" or "bad"?  Last year I picked up Amy Chua's controversial book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.  This is not my typical reading material, but I had heard a lot about it.  Surprisingly, I could not put it down--I was riveted! It was like an inside peek into one family's life dominated by a super tough Mom...sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes enraging and sometimes heart-wrenching.  Let's face it there are all kinds of Moms in this world,from June Cleaver to Joan Crawford : inspirational Moms, celebrity Moms, tiger Moms and drunk Moms.  In honour of Mother's Day, check out some books about extraordinary women and their children.

In Mom and Me and Mom (eBook), after spending her childhood living with her Grandmother, Maya Angelou chronicles the sometimes difficult reunion with her mother Vivian Baxter.  The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius (eBook) is an account by Kristine Barnett about raising her autistic son, and genius, Jake.  The Lost Daughter by Mary Williams is a memoir of a young woman, born to a family in the Black Panther movement and ultimately adopted by film star Jane Fonda.

             

Amy Chua juxtaposes Eastern and Western parenting styles in Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (eBook).  Young Toronto writer Jowita Bydlowska delivers a raw portrait of alcoholism, motherhood and rehab as a Drunk Mom (eBook).  What does it mean to be a 'good' mother?  Ayelet Waldman explores the question in Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities and Occasional Moments of Grace (eBook).
                         

 

National Poetry Month @ Agincourt Public Library with Scarborough's own Poet

OK ... so you have read many poems, but have you ever met a real poet and wondered what makes him tick? Here's your chance to find out!

Agincourt library is pleased to be hosting award winning Scarborough poet, Jeevan Bhagwat, who will read from his wonderful new collection of poems, "The Weight of Dreams" (c. 2012).  This collection is considered to be "a journey through the sensitive soulscape of unrequited love ..." (Loanna Nealon, New England poet). Jeevan indicated that he was a former English Conversation Circle volunteer, right here at Agincourt library many years ago. His work has been published in numerous literary magazines, and he has twice been awarded the Scarborough Arts Council Poetry Prize.

 

Please join us for an enjoyable and relaxing evening on :

Tuesday, April 30  @ 7:00 pm, Agincourt Library, 155 Bonis Avenue, Toronto

(Near Sheppard Ave & Kennedy Rd). For more details, please call: 416-396-8950

              

Toronto Public Library encourages the joy of reading, creativity, thought exchange and penmanship with its writers groups and various book clubs, held online or at many branches. Many of these programs are ongoing and we are adding more all the time.

Poetry speaks to us in many ways and sometimes transports us into the mystical, magical, spiritual, social, romantic or political realms, transcends many rich and diverse cultures, generations, time and place. If you are an ardent poetry lover, or you have just discovered an interest, you will find many old and new gems in our library. Below are a few selections: 

     

The finalists for the most prestigious Griffin Poetry Prize, both International and Canadian, have recently been announced. You may participate in Guess the Griffin 2013 Winners and win a copy of the new poetry anthology.

 

Toronto teens are encouraged to participate and submit poetry, short story, or art contributions to the Toronto Public Library's Young Voices annual publication, or join one of the many Youth Advisory Groups (YAG) located across the city; while newcomer kids, grades 2 to 6, enrolled in the Toronto Public Library's Leading to Reading program, are encouraged to be creative, learn to read and write in English and submit their poetry and other contributions to the Leading to Reading coordinators. For more information on the YAG and Leading to Reading programs, please ask at your nearest branch.

If you happen to be in our neighbourhood, I invite you to visit Agincourt library, meet our friendly staff, hang out in our large and welcoming space, pick up our monthly program calendar, use our many free computers and wireless internet service, browse and borrow from our collections, including our poetry and other book displays.

 

 

 

 

Get into Spring Gardening!

The weather outside may still be a bit chilly, but Spring is here and that means it is time to start planning and organizing your garden!  Now is the time to research new plants or plant comibinations, start seeds or think about trying something new. With some preparation now, soon you will have a beautiful and bountiful garden!

Why not come to our Spring Gardening Workshop at Agincourt Branch, happening on Tuesday April 16 from 6:00-7:30pm?  Join Toronto Green Community's gardening expert for a hands-on workshop on the basics of starting your spring garden!  Get tips about how to start plants from seed, transplanting seedlings and how to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs in your backyard and on your balcony.  Call 416-396-8950 for more information or to register.

Here's a selection of some great books to inspire you!

         

 

                      

                                 

 

Meet Author David Tucker

On Tuesday, January 8 from 2:00-3:00 pm come to Agincourt Branch to meet award-winning filmmaker David Tucker as he discusses his debut novel One Way Ticket.

Comprising three short stories, One Way Ticket explores the jagged psychic journey of characters forced to rewrite their life narratives or be destroyed by them.

Best known for his work on CBC's The Nature of Things, Tucker has garnered numerous international awards including a Gemini, a Chris, Gracie and Prix Italia.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. 

For more information call 416-396-8950.

Happy Holidays from Agincourt Branch!

 

Check out these alternative Christmas trees made out of old books!  This is a fun project if you happen to have any old (not library) books lying around your home!

• Learn how to make a Christmas tree out of old paperbacks and here's how to do the same from a hard cover book.
• Or, you can learn how to stack books, similar to the picture on the left here.

Martha Stewart  also teaches you how to use old magazines to create stunning table top "trees".

 

Don't let Holiday Stress get you down

It's that time of year again. Even the most easygoing among us will get frustrated circling the mall parking lot looking for an empty space, braving the crowded stores and dealing with frazzled shop assistants.  In our quest to find the perfect tree, decorations and gifts we might start to feel a little stressed out.  Throw in a busy schedule of parties, entertaining and travelling, and we might get really anxious.  Then add some family drama, baking disasters, weight gain, and the thoughts of paying off all those extra bills in January, and we are faced with ultimate Holiday Stress!!  Enough.  Time to take control of the Holiday Season, and learn some stress relief techniques to ease tension and help you relax. Here are some books and dvds to help you get back on track:

 

        




Remember to take some time for yourself during the holiday season and you will feel healthier and happier.  If your New Year's resolution happens to be getting healthy, Agincourt Branch will once again be offering the popular program  Stress Management Thru Restorative Meditation.  Call us for more information or to register.

Agincourt Branch Closure Update - Front Entrance

Agincourt Branch will close at 5p.m. on Sunday November 25 for two weeks for the installation of a self serve check-in sorter. 

 Here is a glimpse of what your new front entrance will look like:

architectural rendering by Ken Fukishima

 

Remember, during the Agincourt Branch closure you can return library materials to any Toronto Public Library Branch.

You can pick up your holds at Bridlewood Branch, and MAP passes will also be distributed there, starting on Saturday Dec. 1st.

Other nearby libraries include: Steeles Branch, Maryvale Branch and Woodside Square Branch.

Visit the bookmobile stop at Glamorgan, 120 Dundalk Drive, every Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information, call Answerline at 416-393-7131 or visit torontopubliclibrary.ca

 

Agincourt Branch FAQ - Which eBook Reader should I buy?

This is a question we get asked frequently at the Reference Desk.  Which eBook Reader is best?  Kobo, Kindle, Sony, Nook?  Well, we can't tell you which one is best but we can certainly point you in the direction of some resources that will give you basic information, facts and things to consider before you purchase that eBook Reader or tablet.  Here are a few helpful tips.

First, if you intend to check out eBooks from the library, go to www.torontopubliclibrary.ca, and click  on Downloads and Ebooks, then choose the link to Overdrive.  Here you'll find a list of supported eBook devices.  As of writing this article, the only major eBook reader not supported is the Kindle.

You can also check out Consumer Reports for comparisons and ratings of popular eBook Readers and tablets.  We have copies in the library or you can access them online through our list of Online Magazines, Newspaper and Journals.  The library also has Reference copies of the 2012 Consumer Reports Buying Guide, a valuable resource when buying any big item.

            

Some important things you might want to consider are: 

• price: how much do you want to spend?
• size and shape: is it too big or too small? 
• Do you want a display that is colour or monochrome e-ink (easier on the eye and less glare) and can you adjust the size of the font to display larger print?
• Is wireless connectivity important: do you want an eBook Reader that can do more than just display books, i.e. check your email or surf the web.  

Here is an article from PC magazine with tips on How to Buy an eBook Reader and a comparison of the Best eBook Readers on the market.  Finally, if you have any questions ask the experts -- the sales staff in the store-- and usually there are devices on display so you can try it out a little bit before you buy. 

Having trouble getting library eBooks on or off of your device?  We're here to help you so ask staff at the Reference Desk.  Watch for classes on downloading eBooks as part of our regular schedule of User Education  @ Your Fingertips classes here at Agincourt Branch.  Happy eReading!

Autumn Activities for Kids

Here are just a few autumn (craft) activities that kids may enjoy,

Autumn tree craft: This simple activity requires a large cut out of a tree (can be posted on a door or wall), which can be decorated with leaf cut outs (by tracing your hand). You can also collect and add leaves that you have found during your Sunday afternoon walk. Learn new words by writing a word on a leave… post the new word on your tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn  Collage art: This activity requires a collection of leaves, crayons and some imagination.

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn wreath: Using leaf cut outs to create a wreath. Simply cut out leaves in various colours. Other crafts idea include leaf rubbing, place leaf on a hard surface with vein side up, by covering the leave with a piece of paper you can rub the crayon over the leaf. The result is a leaf imprint. You can also make a hand turkey by tracing your hand over colour  paper and overlapping the hands to make feathers.

Autumn wreath   

 

Check out our library books on Autumn and crafting such as the Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone