Library outreach team will be at farmers’ market

On March 17, the world as we knew it at the Clearview Public Library came to a screeching halt.
We were just about to kick off an active week of March break programming plus start our move into the new Stayner Branch at the Clearview Community Arena Hub.
Then the constraints of limiting the C-19 Pandemic hit. Everything changed in a split second.
Now 16 weeks later, here we are today at the beginning of Stage 3 on July 17. During these past four months, we are happy to report that we have made a successful move to the new branch at 269 Regina Street in Stayner. 
Like the Creemore and New Lowell Branches, we are now offering curbside pick-up three days a week. Order your books on-line and we will have them ready for you to pick up at an appointed time. If you are looking for something new to read, we are happy to offer our reader’s advisory service or to make up a mystery parcel of literary treasures for you. Please call Creemore (705-466-3011), New Lowell (705-424-6288) or Stayner (705-428-3595) for assistance. 
Maximum efforts have also been exercised to energize our virtual cyberspace presence during this time (www.clearview.library.on.ca and facebook.com/Clearview-Public-Library). One of the very special programs that we are offering as a “Boredom Buster” is our virtual summer reading program for all ages (0-99 years). To register, visit clearviewpl.redsquared.com for activities, crafts, games, missions, prizes and reading suggestions to stimulate and engage your brain cells. We can safely assure you that “you and yours” will be pleasantly challenged either by participating in individual pursuits or by racing each other on the games and missions to accumulate points to trade in for prizes. 
On Saturday, August 1, the Library Outreach Team will be hosting a booth at the Creemore Farmers’ Market. Not only will we be promoting our library services, but we will be selling children’s books and cookbooks that have been weeded from our collection. Reading recovery will never be as much fun as this because of the great ‘food for thought’ that we will have on offer!
Our adult book club will take a slightly different format by utilizing the Overdrive avenue of book selection on the internet. Please take note that we will be reading A Body at the Book Club by Elizabeth Spann Craig for discussion via a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. Anyone with a valid Clearview Public Library card is able to check this book at the Overdrive website or by using the Libby App. Spoiler Alert: our heroine’s wacky personality in this cozy mystery is the perfect antidote of sass and fun to brighten these challenging times and did I mention that she is an octogenarian? 
It will be interesting to see what new changes that the next 16 weeks bring as we constantly evolve here at the Clearview Public Library. 
Remember, nothing beats spending time by reading/watching/listening to a good story to bust boredom!

Michele McKenzie is deputy CEO at Clearview Public Library.

Contributed photo: Clearview Public Library’s very own Paper Bag Princess, Shannon Lougheed, showcases the information about the Clearview Public Library’s Virtual Summer Reading Program and Curb Side Pick Up Program.