Author reading and signing - The Azrieli Series 3 Holocaust Survivor Memoirs

The Azrieli Foundation is launching their 3rd Series of Holocaust Survivor Memoirs with a rare opportunity to hear one of the authors speak. On Wednesday June 8, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., you are invited to Barbara Frum Library for The Azrieli Series 3 of Holocaust Survivor Memoirs. 

Come and experience a remarkable first-hand account of survival and personal triumph.

   

For more information and to register, call (416) 395-5440.

Eh List Cancellation

It's with deep regret to inform you that our concluding author visit for the 2011 Spring Eh List has been cancelled.  Anne Fortier, author of Juliet, is unable to visit the Barbara Frum Library due to family issues.

We do have some good news though.  Drum roll please... For the first time in Barbara Frum's history, we will offer four Eh List author visitations in the fall of this year.  The Eh List is an opportunity for Toronto Public Libraries to showcase Canadian literature from across the country and we're thrilled to extend our support in the fall.  Stay tuned for the dates and confirmed Canadian authors.

 

Training and Practice Makes Perfect

Practice makes perfect – this is very much the case with learning something new, especially the computer and the Internet.  But sometimes it’s hard to practice on your own when you don’t know where or how to begin. 

If you asked a family member to help you, perhaps you were lost in the demonstration of things.  Your nephew probably told you to “do this not that and go here not there.”  I’m almost certain that none of it made any sense to you.

Let’s be real, chances are if you were able to access this article, you are likely an experience computer and Internet user.  But what about your parents or grandparents, have they ever bothered you for training lessons?

At the Barbara Frum Library, we offer one-on-one computer lessons from the very start of the computer learning process – no prior experience required.  The core advantage of this service is that each learner is paired up with a librarian that knows how to socialize the roundabouts of the computer and the Internet, so you don’t just get someone showing you how to do something, you get the explanation behind it as well.  It’s a proven fact that knowing the “why” behind a fact and getting the verbal communication of it, helps with memory retention.

If you know anybody that may be interested in this service, please call us and inquire about the USER ED program.

Gardeners at Work: Sprucing up the Front Garden at the Barbara Frum Library

If you stopped by the Barbara Frum Library on Saturday afternoon, you likely saw a group of inspired gardeners at work.  Backed by the experience and wisdom of our Senior Group members and the young muscle power of YAG members, we were able to facelift our front flower garden.  See a snapshot of the transformation below:

            
                Before Gardening                                                         After Gardening

It all started with some garbage removal and pruning, we setup two subgroups – pruners and litter removers - and within half-an-hour we were ready to get our babies in the ground.  Of course, the gardening process was much more than that but for the sake of simplicity, lets just say that we planted a colourful mix of Asiatic Lilies, Cheddar Pinks, Coreopsis and Pansies.

            
        Pruning and litter removal                                     Getting those perennials in ground

There is nothing cliché about this project.  It was empowering to see the cultural exchange between different generations of people in the community.  One of our YAG members spoke strongly about the removal of the evil "demon spawns," a phrase that he gave to the abatement of cigarette buds.  The seniors chuckled and nodded their heads in agreement, cigarette buds do spawn evil!  The friendly exchange between the seniors and youth dispelled inaccurate stereotypes which suggest that disparate groups do not get along.

            
        Teens just want to have fun                                          Friendly gardeners

The gardening project was truly a concerted effort, everyone who partook in the event provided both informational and physical contributions to the garden.  Thanks a million to those that participated.  You are the ones that made this project a success.  And thanks to the community for your encouragement and kind words.   

A special shout-out to: Regina, Eleni, Herb, Akhila, Jinyan, and Damen for making this a successful project.