Expansion, Picton Gazette

October is Library Month, a month in which Canadian public libraries raise awareness of the valuable role libraries play in peoples’ lives.

Ontario Public Library week, Oct. 20-26, is designated by the province as the yearly opportunity to celebrate the library services, spaces and resources that enrich the lives of the residents of Ontario.

In Prince Edward County, Mayor Ferguson has proclaimed the month of October as “Library Month” and encourages all residents and guests to visit one of our six branches.

The proclamation recognizes The County of Prince Edward Public Library as one library with six branches, “that connect people, materials and culture to build and sustain a diverse and vibrant community.”

Locally, patrons of the library are very lavish in their praise of services.

That has inspired us to roll out the “Love Your Library” logo to mark the season of library love.

On Sat., Oct. 19th between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. you will see volunteers at various locations in Picton and all our branches selling tags in support of our current major library project – the Picton expansion.

Please give generously to help us grow the County of Prince Edward Public Library to better service you.

October is once again matching month in Prince Edward.

A generous library lover has donated matching funds to help boost the Picton expansion fund, and will match donations up to $50,000, bringing us to a total of $100,000 raised in just 31 days.

At time of writing we are well on our way to meeting this goal and we are not even mid-month yet. So far this month we have raised $26,750.00.

Help us get to $50,000! Your donation on our tag day (and every day this month) will double; $10 becomes $20.

Our gala event to celebrate Ontario Public Library Week this year is Comedy Night at the Library.

On Sunday, October 27th between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm drop in to the Picton branch to be entertained by the County’s Artisanal Comedy Troup: Taste That! The whole troup are performing “library inspired comedy”.

The performers have been together for six years and have performed at the Toronto Big City Improv Festival and the Montreal Improv Festival as well as many locations in Prince Edward County including the Regent Theatre.

As if that’s not enough to keep you amused, Comedy Night at the Library will also feature the wit and wisdom of the ever-popular Frere Brothers featuring Alec Lunn, Mark Despault and Fraser Hardman.

The Frere Brothers, so much a part of County culture, originally formed in Calgary when Alec and his actual brother joined forces.

Mark joined Alec in 1995 and Fraser began performing with Mark and Alec in 2015. Their latest collection of humorous songs of life in a small town is titled Movin’ to the County.

The evening promises to be one of good laughs, good food, good drink and good company.

Tickets are $50 each and available online at www.peclibrary.org, through our branches or a Fundraising Committee member.

Don’t know who is on the Fundraising Committee? Join us and help raise money that will benefit the community for the next 112 years.

-Barbara Sweet