Libraries revert to curbside service on Dec. 30

Shannon Lougheed and Herald the Library Dragon (pictured) will be “popping” Clearview Public Library’s balloon Christmas tree behind locked doors due to the province’s decision to move Southern Ontario into lockdown.
This means that your library will only be able to provide curbside service again from Dec. 30 until the end of lockdown. During this time, we will not be charging fines on late materials but we do encourage you to return library assets on or by the due date so that other patrons may enjoy them after their quarantine period.
While you are safe at home, you may wish to join us by participating in our extensive selection of virtual programming. 
New: junk diaries – this free online program will take you through a journey of remembrance as you follow along with our 13 topic questions posted to our Facebook page every Tuesday night from Jan. 5 to March 30 at 6 p.m. Your responses are to be written at your leisure. These then will be bound into a finished legacy memoir when you attend our Zoom workshop hosted by a professional scrapbook artist on Saturday, April 3 at 11 a.m. 
New: conversational Spanish – This meet-up program on Zoom is open to the general public who are interested in practicing their Spanish speaking skills in a friendly and informal online environment starting Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. Elizabeth Alavarez (staff and host) will send a meeting invitation to the email address that you provide at registration at www.clearview.library.on.ca.
If you wish to order your list of books, movies and music by telephone, please call one of the branches: Creemore (705-466-3011), New Lowell (705-424-6288) and/or Stayner (705-428-3595). The staff in all three branches are more than happy to provide suggestions or to organize a ‘Blind Date with a Book’ package for you.
As we depart 2020 to enter 2021 and the world of hibernation (next step up from living in the hermitage), please take this opportunity to learn something new or to take comfort in a good story.  Nothing is new and there is a great story somewhere in Clearview Public Library’s stacks that will give comfort or entertain you during this crazy time.
Happy New Year!

Michele McKenzie is deputy CEO of Clearview Public Library.