Peterborough Public Library Hosting Interactive Community Art Installation For Red Dress Day

The public is invited to a community art installation of ‘The Red Dress’ hosted and occuring at the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space in the Peterborough Public Library at noon on Monday.

According to Statistics Canada, more than 63 per cent of Indigenous women in Canada have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Public Library.

The event is in recognition of Red Dress Day, which is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people (MMIWG2S+) according to the Library.

The dress is on display from April 28 to May 5. The installation invites the community to contribute pieces of red fabric, yarn, beading or other textiles to help create a large, collective red dress. All are welcome to participate and materials will also be provided on site for those who wish to contribute in the moment.

There will be an opening ceremony and smudging with Drumming in the Legacy Space at noon.

Daily smudges will take place each morning from April 29 through May 5 as the installation continues to grow with community contributions.

This project has been developed in partnership with Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle and the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Public Library Staffing Reorganization to Reduce Operation Expenses Says City

Peterborough Public Library is undergoing a staffing reorganization to reduce operating expenses by $120,000, as approved by City Council in the City’s 2025 Budget.

File Photo.

The Library has 60 staff, including a CEO and a manager with all other staff being unionized, non-management staff.

The reorganization will result in a net reduction of one position. Three positions will be eliminated and two new positions will be created, resulting in a net reduction of one position. A fourth affected position will be maintained but restructured to expand its role according to the City.

Services will be maintained; however, they will be delivered in a different way to achieve the $120,000 in cost savings.

Children’s Library services and programming will continue to be provided.

The Draft 2025 Budget for the Peterborough Public Library included a 10.9 per cent or $411,571 increase in the funding requirement for the Library, which would increase to $4,175,845 in 2025 from $3,764,273 in 2024.

The City says a number of factors contributed to the estimated increase in costs, including technology costs associated with software licences and product subscription fees, as well as the first year of operating the new library branch at the Miskin Law Community Complex.

All City departments were directed to provide options to reduce operating expenses in 2025 as a way to lower the required property tax increase.

There were two options for operating expense reductions put forward for the Peterborough Public Library as part of City Council’s 2025 Budget process:

• A $70,000 reduction that would reduce Library operating hours by four hours per week

• A $120,000 reduction that would be achieved through a Library staffing reorganization, that would include the elimination of two positions

Council did not choose the option to reduce Library operating hours but approved including the $120,000 reduction through a Library staffing reorganization, in the City’s 2025 Budget.

Council approved various other options to reduce the property tax increase in 2025, such as ending the lifeguard service at Rogers Cove beach with lifeguard service being maintained at the nearby Beavermead Park beach, ending the maintenance of the ice for skating on the Trent-Severn Waterway next to the Lift Lock, reducing preventative maintenance of City facilities, reducing funding for advertising, and increasing the Peterborough Transit single ride fare by 25 cents.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Volunteer Peterborough Sets Up Shop at Peterborough Public Library

To increase accessibility for helping the community, Volunteer Peterborough announced that they will have a regular presence at the Peterborough Public Library’s main branch starting on Friday.

Ramage has a degree in Humanities. She joined as a volunteer manager in late October of 2023. To date, 1,700 volunteers and 164 organizations interact on Volunteer Peterborough’s online portal. Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

Geneviève Ramage, Volunteer Peterborough’s operations coordinator, will be at a desk in the library’s mezzanine every second Friday from 1 to 3 p.m.

This partnership will increase the exposure of the match-making service between prospective volunteers and non-profits that need their help and expertise according to a media release.

It continues to state that in-person consultations accelerate the process by showing the various groups and the opportunities they seek to fill.

“Since launching in the summer of 2023, we have made countless matches from front-line services to boards of directors,” said Lois Tuffin, Chair of Volunteer Peterborough’s Steering Committee. “However, there are still so many people looking for the right role for them. By offering our services in more locations, we reach those who may not have met us yet.”

“The Peterborough Public Library is delighted to be hosting Volunteer Peterborough in our space,” says Mark Stewart, Manager, Library Services, City of Peterborough. “Connecting people and building community are at the heart of both our organizations so this partnership is a great fit.”

Volunteer Peterborough hosts Wednesday afternoon drop-ins from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office. Visitors can book appointments by emailing volunteer@volunteerpeterborough.ca or calling 705-874-0073.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

New Peterborough Library Branch Set to Open Tuesday at Miskin Law Community Complex

With over 10,000 new titles just waiting to be read, the new Peterborough Public Library Branch at the Miskin Law Community Complex is set to open this Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Jennifer Jones, library CEO and director, cultural services. prepares the Library in the children’s area. The new location features over 10,000 titles with all brand new books. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The library features a contemporary youth-oriented collection, several aisles filled with graphic novels, a children’s area, four public computers and a dedicated display of popular trending titles. All existing library cards from the main branch on Alymer Street can also be used at the new location.

Programs are being planned to operate in the summer, including story time events. The Library will also use the multi-purpose room space on the floor above them.

“This new branch serves as a vibrant community hub where residents can gather, learn and grow together,” said Jennifer Jones, library CEO and director, cultural services.

The branch’s operating hours run Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The branch is located on the main floor of the Miskin Law Community Complex. The facility opened on Jan. 15, featuring two arenas and an indoor walking track. The library was initially scheduled to open on Feb. 1 at the grand opening but was pushed back due to ongoing construction.

A grand opening celebration for the new branch will take place at a later date. A branch name has not been decided. City Council, with input from the Peterborough Public Library Board, will release a name at a future undisclosed date.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent University’s Bata Library and the Peterborough Public Library Partner to Offer On-Campus Recreational Reading Collection

Trent University’s Bata Library and the Peterborough Public Library have partnered to offer a new self-serve library kiosk on campus; promoting community connection and providing increased access to the downtown library’s collection.

photo courtesy of trent university.

“At Trent University, we recognize the profound benefits of reading for pleasure, ranging from stress relief and cognitive development to the enhancement of empathy skills,” said Coralee Leroux, Bata Library’s scholarly resources librarian. “The success of this partnership has created a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange, stimulating curiosity, reducing stress, and fostering empathy among our students and wider community. It is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and a shared vision for education and personal growth.” 

Bata Library is the newest location for the Peterborough Public Library's network of self-serve kiosks, offering access to public library materials for anyone possessing a Peterborough Public Library card, and extending the reach of library resources throughout the city. Other locations include the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

“We’re very excited to partner with Bata Library on this initiative. Our kiosks provide an alternative to visiting our downtown branch for those who want to borrow library materials,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Peterborough Public Library. “When the folks at Trent reached out, it was such a quick and easy yes from us. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to work together and combine our library powers for the benefit of the Trent and local communities.” 

To borrow a book from the Bata Library kiosk, or other kiosk locations, individuals can simply scan their Peterborough Public Library card, enter their PIN, and open the kiosk door to select a book. When removing the book from the kiosk and closing the door, the item is automatically checked out.

For those who do not have a Peterborough Public Library card, registration can be done online. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Public Library and Bird Friendly Peterborough To Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day May 13

The Peterborough Public Library and Bird Friendly Peterborough will be celebrating World Migratory Bird Day in the FOL Community Room at the library on May 13.

photo courtesy of the peterborough public library.

Local environmental and wildlife groups will be on hand to help you with ideas and projects for making your gardens, yards and buildings more bird-friendly.

Learn about Peterborough's new Bird-Friendly City certification, actions the library is taking, and how you can help make our communities more bird-friendly. This event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. will also feature door prizes, a live bird demo by a falconry expert, a family-friendly bird origami craft drop-in by library staff and a bird ID scavenger hunt.

“With our Native Plant Garden creating bird habitat in Library Commons, our new Birdwatching Kits, and bird-safe window treatments, the Library is proud to be a part of this Bird-Friendly City,” says Mark Stewart, Library Services Manager.

The Library will be launching its new collection of Birdwatching Kits that will be available to borrow with your library card. The kits have been made possible through generous donations from Peterborough Field Naturalists and Bird Friendly Peterborough. The kits come in a backpack and contain binoculars, bird identification guides and activities for adults and families.

The grand reveal of the Library's bird-safe window decal installation will be at 2 p.m., making it the first City building to do so in collaboration with BFP. Peterborough’s Bird Friendly City certification will be officially presented to Mayor Jeff Leal. City Councillors, City staff, First Nations representatives and BFP funders, along with the general public are invited to celebrate the day.  

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Public Library Self-Serving Book Kiosks in The Community

The Peterborough Public Library has self-serving book Kiosks in the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre and at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. 

photo courtesy of the peterborough public library.

Library staff restock the Kiosks weekly with popular adult and children's books. All you need is your library card for the easy to use the Kiosks.

How to check books in and out with your library card:

1. Scan the barcode on the back of your library card.

2. Enter your library PIN (your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your phone number)

3. The door will unlock for you to open.

4. If you have books to return, place them on the shelves. It doesn’t matter where on the shelves you place them, please make sure they’re standing upright.

5. If you’d like to borrow any books, take them off the shelves and then shut the door.

6. The Kiosk will scan all the books inside. It automatically checks in any books you have returned and checks out any that you’ve removed.

7. Take your receipt.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Public Library Recognized As Legacy Space

The Peterborough Public Library and its funding partners announce they will be the first public library to be recognized as a Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy Space. 

file photo.

Legacy Spaces are safe, welcoming places where conversations and education about Indigenous history – and our collective journey towards reconciliation – are encouraged and supported. They also serve as symbols and reminders of the important work each of us needs to undertake in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

The library will be celebrating the opening of the Legacy Space on May 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The Library is a busy community hub dedicated to curiosity, discovery and learning. We’re proud to welcome everyone into the space, to learn about Indigenous history, and take actions toward reconciliation,” says Library CEO Jennifer Jones.  

“United Way Peterborough & District is proud to be partnering in bringing a Legacy Space to our community. Peterborough Public Library is already a place for all community members to learn, and the addition of a Legacy Space provides us with a location to grow in our shared reconciliation journey,” says founding funding partner and United Way CEO Jim Russell.

Marcus Harvey, executive director of the Trent University Faculty Association and founding funding partner on this project, says he values the role that Labour can play in the work of Reconciliation.

“Trent University’s longstanding commitment to Indigenous Knowledges may explain why Trent’s unions would get involved in this project from the outset,” Harvey says. “But this as an exercise in Solidarity that fits beautifully with the broader Labour community’s vision for social justice in Nogojiwanong.”

Follow along as the space is built, plan the launch and develop programs and collections to support their commitment to ReconciliACTION on the Library’s website and social media channels. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

The Peterborough Public Library Announces First One Book One Ptbo Title Selection

The Peterborough Public Library announces the selection of the One Book, One Ptbo title: Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice.

moon of the crusted snow by Waubgeshig Rice, book cover.

Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation. He has written three fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies. His most recent novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, was published in 2018 and became a national bestseller.

He graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002 and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host. He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career. Rice lives in Sudbury with his wife and three sons. His forthcoming novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, will be published in October 2023.

One Book, One Ptbo aims to build community through the shared experience of reading the same book and participating in programs and events inspired by the themes found within the narrative.

“I’m thrilled and honoured that Moon of the Crusted Snow has been selected for One Book, One Peterborough. Connecting with readers through public libraries is a very special relationship, and I’m overjoyed that members of the Peterborough Public Library will have an opportunity to read my story through this important initiative,” said Rice.

Copies of Waubgeshig Rice’s book will be available starting in May. Community members can use their library cards to borrow this title in various formats, including traditional paperback, eBook, audiobook and even as a Book Club in a Bag kit.

The library will host programs to explore the book's themes this fall and is actively looking for community partners. If your organization is interested in hosting one of these programs, reach out to the Library before April.

Partial funding for this project was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.

For more information visit the website.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Protests, Counter-Protests and Persistence; Drag Queen Story Time Event Comes to Peterborough Public Library

Regardless of planned protests, the Peterborough Public Library remains unwavered in decision to host local drag queen Betty Baker for Drag Queen Story Time event on Jan. 14.

Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Public Library.

The upcoming event is hosting 19-year-old Peterborough drag performer Betty Baker, and will feature children’s book readings, sing-alongs and puppet shows geared towards kids ages three to eight.

“The books that I read at storytime are about accepting oneself and being creative, and this month we’re specifically focusing on expressing yourself,” says Baker, who has been invited back for story time after the success of a similar event back in September.

As a queer person in a small town, Baker expresses that events such as this offer a chance for youth to enjoy a fun storytime hour and learn about themes of emotion and acceptance in a “fun, colourful, artistic, whimsical and family-friendly” way.

“I’ve been a queer youth in the community, and I was (now) given the opportunity to become the role model I never really had in Peterborough growing up,” they said.

Echoing this message, Mark Stewart and Karen Clysdale of the Peterborough Public Library say they are proud to be offering a variety of programs and events for any and everyone in the community, pointing out that Betty Baker embodies such diversity “flawlessly.”

“What better person to show people that you can be different and still be valued and included than someone who’s grown up in this community,” says children services librarian Karen Clysdale. “Somebody who can say ‘I’ve been there, I’m still here, and I’m happy,’ and I think Betty is a fantastic example of what children can look forward to, and should expect, from their community.”

The library says this will be the first event of a once a month program they are introducing. Clysdale says her and Baker have worked together to choose a number of books for the event from the library’s collection.

“The event is themed like any other story time that either me or my colleague do throughout the year, only we have a guest presenter. These (themes) are being introduced in a natural, age-appropriate way, talking on a level that kids ages three to eight are responsive to,” says Clysdale.

Stewart mentions taking advice from neighbouring libraries who have dealt with threats in the wake of hosting drag story time events, hiring extra security and notifying local police to ensure there will be all hands on deck during the event.

“We’ve covered all the bases to make sure everyone has a really good time,” he assures. “At the last (Drag Queen Story Time) the counter-protest was much bigger than the actual protest, and it was more like a party out front of the library. There was a lot of support from the community and the attendance at the storytime was the biggest I’d ever seen. I know that there’s a lot of love and support, and even that is another level of protection (against) protesters.”

Spearheading said group of protestors is Hill City Baptist Church pastor Ben Inglis and 2021 federal election People’s Party of Canada candidate Paul Lawton.

The pair started the Drag Queen Story Hour Protest event online, and believe that drag story time is seeking to “normalize the fringe” and that the messages portrayed are harmful to children.

“I think a basic reason that everyone coming to protest would agree on is a shared conviction that drag entertainers shouldn’t be practicing their ‘art’ within a hundred miles of kids,” expresses Inglis. “Drag is, and has always been a movement saturated in sexual expression; the costumes, the stage names, the mannerisms. You can’t escape it.”

Inglis says that parents/guardians who take their children to such events are making a “terrible decision they will regret later in life.”

“Everyone of sound mind agrees that there are some things that as a society we should not allow, that's why we have proscriptive laws. The argument that ‘people should be allowed to choose whether they go to Drag Queen Story Time or not’ presupposes that drag queen story time itself a good thing (or at least neutral), and endorsing it will contribute to a healthy society,” says Lawton. “Our contention is that we ought to live out our identities as male and female in the way God made us, and that we should protect children from the false and harmful ideas at the root of Drag Queen Story Time.”

Lawton recognizes the inevitability of counter-protests.

“In principle I have no problem with counter-protesting, frankly it seems only fair,” he says.

It’s through the support of these counter-protestors that Baker says drag queen story time events in the Peterborough community can continue.

“Of course it’s scary to have people spew misinformation and hatred towards you or a community you are apart of online, but the support I have received greatly outweighs any of that,” assures Baker.

The Peterborough Public Library’s message is clear: “Everyone’s welcome at the library,” says Stewart.

It is through this frame of mind that the library extends an invitation to the Jan. 14 Drag Queen Story Time event to its protestors.

“For the people that are coming out to protest this event thinking that it is not age-appropriate, I think they have no true understanding of the scope drag performance can take, and I invite them to come and watch respectfully,” says Clysdale. “I feel like the idea that drag is purely a sexual presentation comes from a lack of knowledge, and in the library we always encourage people to learn more about something that they don’t know enough about.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.