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.”

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Construction Underway In Groundbreaking Ceremony For Peterborough's Twin-Pad Arena And Public Library Branch

The shovels dug deep for the twin-pad arena and Peterborough Public Library branch’s groundbreaking ceremony at Morrow Park on Thursday.

The building features an indoor walking track and multi-use space along with the twin-pad arena. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The new community centre is being built on the west side of Morrow Park with construction projected to be completed in fall 2024.

The arena serves as the replacement for the single-pad Northcrest Arena closing in April 2020 and replaces the DelaFosse Library Branch closing in March 2020.

“Our community is working to build our tomorrow together, including investing in community infrastructure and fostering Peterborough as the place to invest, work, live and play,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Infrastructure such as this new hub for recreational activities along with a new Peterborough Public Library branch will become part of the life of the residents of our community while also supporting economic activity by attracting regional and provincial events that use our sports facilities.”

“Today marks the official groundbreaking for the construction of a true community centre for our citizens of all ages,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, Council’s Arenas, Parks and Recreation Portfolio Chair. “It is a much-needed facility to support the community services that our residents deserve and expect. Peterborough deserves this beautiful facility for our essential physical, mental, and social well-being.”

“The design reimagines what an arena and library can be, as a gateway to the City and a destination for a diverse range of residents,” Christina Grimes, Project Architect, Perkins + Will, said. “The plan is composed around a series of pavilion forms for each major use. This helped us create a welcoming civic scale for the building, allowing it to function as both a recreation and learning hub for the community.”

Studies and community consultation had identified an existing need for additional ice/floor time capacity for City recreational facilities users that will continue to grow as the City’s population grows according to a press release.

Construction started in October lead by Ball Construction on the $65.5-million project. About $37 million of the cost comes from development charges levied on new community development to help pay for growth-related infrastructure.

The City will issue an Expression of Interest in the coming weeks to draw interest from all businesses and highlight some of the key sponsorship and Naming Rights available at this facility.

There is a second phase planned for an addition of an aquatics complex but has not been budgeted or approved for now. The project is being designed in order to be ready to proceed with the second phase if funding becomes available.

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Peterborough Public Library Launches Strategic Plan Community Survey

The Peterborough Public Library has launched a Community Survey as part of its 2023-2026 Strategic Planning process.

File Photo.

The survey allows anyone to share their thoughts on the Library’s current programs, services and collections and provide feedback on areas you would like to see improved or enhanced. Community members are invited to participate and have a say in their community library.

The information gathered through the survey will help guide the direction of the library's strategic plan over the next four years.

The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/PtboLibraryEngagement.

Hard copies of the survey will be available upon request at the main library branch and it will be available until Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. 

Community members are also invited to an in-person focus group on Oct. 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the FOL Community Room.

Register for this event at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ptbo-library-strategic-planning-engagement-session-public-tickets-427415440087.

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Construction Set To Begin For Morrow Park Community Centre

Construction crews are expected to begin preparations for a $65.5M community centre with an arena, aquatic complex and library at Morrow Park within the next two weeks.

Photo courtesy of Connect Peterborough.

The first phase of the project outlines two 500-seat pads, an elevating running/walking track, landscaping, public washrooms and storage, team change rooms and two multipurpose rooms.

The complex will include an aquatic centre with an eight-lane pool and warm-up therapy pool once all phases are completed.

A 5,000-square-foot Peterborough Public Library branch will replace the permanently closed DelaFosse library branch on Park Street South.

The twin-pad arena will replace the Northcrest Arena, which was torn down due to structural issues last year.

Construction is set to be completed by the fall of 2024.

"Our new community centre is a much-needed project anticipated by many community members with multiple uses included for all ages,” said Coun. Lesley Parnell, arenas, parks and recreation advisory committee chair. “A major silver lining is (an) addition of a new library branch to replace the outdated DelaFosse building. All conveniently located as a hub for local citizens and sports tourism.”

In a July meeting, Peterborough City Council approved Morrow Park at Lansdowne Street and Park Street as the location for the complex.

A pre-planned reconstruction of a section of Lansdowne Street West running next to Morrow Park is being timed to align with the construction of this new community centre.

Site preparation is said to take six to eight weeks.

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Community Art Exhibit Hosted By One City Peterborough Will Be Hosted At Public Library

One City Peterborough will be hosting an art exhibit at Peterborough Public Library from Sept. 1 - Oct. 16.

Photo courtesy of One City Peterborough.

One City Peterborough runs an Open Art Drop-In Studio as part of their Community Development programming.

Community members’ art will be on display on the main floor of the library, with John Climenhage’s work being displayed in the basement and Em Farquhar-Barrie’s work displayed in the front window.

In addition to their exhibit, One City will also be running drop in collage-making classes on Sept. 20 (1-4 p.m.) and Oct. 1 (1-5 p.m.).

A panel discussion titled One Art, One City: Creating Community Through Art Making will be hosted at the library on Oct. 6, from 7-8:30 p.m.

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Peterborough Public Library Hosting Weekly Story Time In The Park

The Peterborough Public Library will be hosting their ‘Story Time in the Park’ weekly beginning on Tuesday.

Stock Photo.

Every Tuesday Peterborough Library will be at a new park in the city singing songs and telling stories.

• July 5: Barnardo Park - 955 Barnardo Ave.

• July 12: Rogers Cove - 131 Maria St.

• July 19: Knights of Columbus Park - 5 Park St.

• July 26: Kinsmen Park - 1 Kinsmen Way

• Aug. 2: Kiwanis Park - 234 Middlefield Rd.

• August 9: Nicholls Oval - 725 Armour Rd.

• August 16: Millennium Park -130 King St.

• August 23: Riverview Park & Zoo Gazebo - 1300 Water St.

In the event of inclement weather there will be Drop-in Story Time Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. in the FOL Community Room. 

Children under five must be with a caregiver.

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Peterborough Public Library To Unveil Their Native Plant Garden On Saturday

The Peterborough Public Library will celebrate the opening of its new Native Plant Garden on Saturday, with the Peterborough & Area Master Gardeners.

Peterborough & Area Master Gardeners at the Library. Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Public Library.

The Master Gardeners will be on-site in the Library Commons from 10 a.m. to noon to answer gardening questions and to celebrate the opening of the new native plant garden.

Families can also register for the 2022 TD Summer Reading Club, Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages (0-12), interests and abilities. Registrants will receive a free kit with surprises to encourage summer reading. The first 100 registrants will receive a TD Tree Box to grow their own spruce tree.

The Library Commons Garden is planted with species that are native or are near natives of the Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) area.

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Peterborough Public Library is Yarn Bombed For National Deafblind Awareness Month

Roughly 130 squares crocheted together is the newest art piece for Peterborough Public Library as they were ‘yarn bombed’ for National Deafblind Awareness Month on Thursday.

Sarah Grimbly, Deafblind communications coordinator (left) with Mayor Diane Therrien (right) with the roughly 130 crocheted squares hanging on the left side of the Peterborough Public Library upon walking in the main entrance. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Yarn bombing (also known as knitfiti) is a form of street art where yarn is knit, crocheted or wrapped and is displayed in a public space.

The yarn squares were made by people serviced by Deaf Blind Ontario Services (a company that provides services to deaf and/or blind), knitting groups and volunteers. The company’s campaign is in its second year to celebrate those who are blind and/or deaf.

“The individuals we support have both hearing and vision loss and heavily rely on their tactile senses,” said Sarah Grimbly, DeafBlind communications coordinator. “Knitting, crocheting, the feeling of the yarn, that's all very tactile and so it was a great way to get them participating in the initiative as well.”

Mayor Diane Therrien says it is an initiative that Peterborough is happy to get behind and will be effective in helping create dialogue and awareness for deaf and blind people.

“The Peterborough Library is a community hub, there's a lot of people that come through here so the more awareness we can bring to it, the better,” she said. “It's a great conversation piece that people will talk about and spread the word to friends and family.”

Several crocheted projects have yarn-bombed cities all over the province. They exist in parks, downtown spaces, public buildings and more. Participating cities include London, Innisfil and Ottawa alongside Peterborough.

The knitted project remains on the library wall for the month of June.

National Deafblind Awareness Month happens every June since it is the birth month of famed author Helen Keller, known for having vision and hearing loss.

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Peterborough Public Library Partners With Peterborough Area Fundraisers Network To Help Local Charities

The Peterborough Area Fundraisers Network (PAFN) and the Peterborough Public Library have partnered to give local charities free access to Grant Connect’s Community Edition, a database of funders across the country developed by Imagine Canada.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Grant Connect shares public data on foundations and grantmakers’ deadlines, application processes, giving priorities, typical grant amounts and helps non-profits position their proposals for success.

“There are more than 250 registered charities in Peterborough, and corporate, private foundation and government grants are a major source of funding for these charities, especially now as many rebuild from the constraints brought on by the pandemic,” said Alex Tindale, PAFN Executive Chair. “For many smaller charities, access to a resource such as Grant Connect is not possible, our partnership with the Peterborough Public Library gives these local charities access to valuable funding opportunities to the benefit of the community.”

With Grant Connect, local charities will have access to over 11,000 Canadian foundations, 560 corporate giving programs, 370 government grant programs, 120 American foundations, and 200 other kinds of grant opportunities. The one-year pilot project gives charities access to the Community Edition of Grant Connect via the public computers in the Library.

“The library is very excited to add the Grant Connect database to our collection. It is a fantastic new information resource for our local non-profit community,” said Jennifer Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the Peterborough Public Library. “We look forward to seeing the positive impacts it will bring to Peterborough by making funding more accessible to everyone.”

If this pilot is successful, PAFN would work with other local municipalities to provide access to charities in their areas. Training resources on using Grant Connect are also available via PAFN (for members) and the Library.

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Peterborough Public Library Hosts Open House For Community Feedback of Aquatics Complex

Peterborough Public Library hosted an open house for the Community Arena and Aquatics Complex project as the City of Peterborough asked for community feedback on the proposed building on Wednesday.

Phase 1 of the project is expected to start construction this fall and be completed by the fall of 2024. It includes a twin-pad arena and library branch in a community centre that will be built at Lansdowne and Park Streets on the west side of Morrow Park. Photo by Luke Best.

From noon to 4 p.m., the open house invited visitors to view the project display boards and leave questions with city staff about the development.

A public information session will occur virtually between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. The project consulting team, Perkins + Will Architects, will present project updates and site plan design details.

“Our long-anticipated new community centre is well underway with plans for ‘shovels in the ground’ this autumn. We are hosting a public information session to share the design and seek feedback from the community and our user groups on the site plan,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “The design now also includes a new unanimously approved by Council library branch within the same building/footprint.”

The planned facility amenities include:

• A twin pad arena with 500 seats on each pad;

• An elevated walking/running track;

• 12 team change rooms and 2 official rooms;

• A team training centre;

• Office / Administration / Customer Service space for City staff;

• Office space leased to sport group(s);

• A concession stand;

• Two multipurpose rooms;

• Public washrooms, elevator and storage;

• Landscaping and parking;

• Library branch space;

• Competitive 25 metre, 8 lane pool;

• Warm up therapy pool;

• Changerooms.

Attend the public information session Online at: www.connectptbo.ca/arenaandaquaticscomplex via Microsoft Teams.

You can join by phone at: 833-651-1158, Conference ID: 704843826

The virtual Public Information Session will be recorded and posted for viewing following the session.

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