Go on a blind date with a book by choosing a Sweet Book Bag at the Prince George Public Library.
Go on a reading adventure by picking a genre — adult contemporary, a teen mystery, or whatever style you’d like — grab the bag that holds that style of book for a surprise, and the bonus is the free book comes with a sweet treat, and away you go.
This is just one of the many perks of visiting the local library.
On Tuesday, Aug. 16, there is an in-person event called Dot To Dot that’s all about the sky.
“This is a really fun program,” Jen Rubadeau, manager of communications & engagement, said. “It’s all about the stars and looking at the constellations, tricks to finding the North Star, hearing about ancient sky myths and more.”
The science author hosting the Dot to Dot in the Sky presentation is Joan Marie Galat of Alberta, who will conduct the session via Zoom and people can drop in or zoom into cyberspace for this stellar occasion.
The Summer Reading program is still on until the end of August, there’s Lego Time, Teen Gaming and Baby Time. There’s the Downtown Walking Tour and the Nature Walk Story Time out at Huble Homestead to offer a new way to explore the historic site.
For a little fun, there’s still the ongoing Tens to Teens Challenge and the Adult Summer Challenge.
“There’s a ton of things to do, and there’s a lot of great prizes to be had,” Rubadeau said.
For example, the Adults Summer Challenge prizes to be drawn include $100 gift card to Crossroads Brewing & Distillery, a $100 gift card to Betulla Burning, a $50 gift card to Books & Co., and a $50 gift card to The Makerie.
“These programs are for all ages, basically from 10 to 110 year olds, to be able to engage in the community and participate in programs that encourage life-long learning,” Rubadeau said.
It’s not all fun and games at the Prince George Public Library. For vital information, there’s a session on Living with Dementia on Aug. 17 that offers guidance through the decision to move to long-term care and adjusting to that change, presented by the Alzheimer's Society. This is part of a series of sessions geared toward those living with dementia, their caregivers and anyone interested. To register, call the First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.
“This is another opportunity for people to learn about something many people have to experience – it’s not always the fun stuff, but we’re trying to give people a chance to connect and get support,” Rubadeau said.
There’s more fun to be had, of course. This next one is for the Tens to Teens, specifically those from 10 to 18 years old.
“I am super-jazzed about the Cardboard Armour Splashdown taking place Wednesday,” Rubadeau said.
“So people come in and create their own cardboard battle armour and then put it to the test in an epic water fight. So a ton of fun, and we’ll have water balloons and water guns. It’s a two-hour program where the kids are going to take the time to build the armour and then having that big splash party.”
On August 23, there’s a Teens Paint Famous Paintings session, and the theme for this one is the Mona Lisa.
The image that’s on the website is Mona Lisa smiling at a potato chip.
“It’s your own take on it,” Rubadeau said. “What’s your take on the Mona Lisa? I think there’s a lot of fun to be had and we’re really looking forward to seeing the creations.”
There’s going to be a bit of a break as staff switches gears to the fall programming, and on Sept. 6, the Prince George Public Library goes full speed ahead with Baby Time, Lego Time and a Ukulele Jam Session.
There’s even a mid-autumn Lantern Festival on Sept. 10. Make a bunny lantern and learn about the Mid-Autumn Festival with Speak Write Academy’s Cherie Chai. A mooncake tasting will follow.
“So that’s going to be really fun,” Rubadeau said.
“Soon after, we start back with our teen programming and our tech help and seated Tai Chi starts back up again, so lots of exciting things on the horizon.”
For information about the programs and events and how to register for free, visit https://www.pgpl.ca/events.
