Behind the Scenes with Stratford Festival
This May, enjoy viewing rich theatrical content from Stratford Festival. We're excited to offer three 'Behind the Scenes' looks into some of the theatre's most popular shows. Registration is required for each event to receive the video link, which is available for viewing up to one week after the event start time. Click the event titles below to register. 

Now showing...

• Little Women: Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m.
  Join director Esther Jun and playwright Jordi Mand as they delve into the timeless details and relevance of Little Women.

• Richard III: Thursday, May 12 at 6 p.m.
  Join Stratford Festival's Archivists Gianna Babando, Stephanie Vaillant, Christine Schindler and Nora Polley as they discuss Richard III.

• Costume Designs: Thursday, May 19 at 6 p.m.
  Take a deeper dive into the details behind designing costumes for the Stratford Festival with designer Dana Osbourne.

From the Archives: Jubilee Souvenir of the Norfolk St. Methodist Church Guelph
by Darcy Hiltz
The Library’s local history archival holdings contain histories of several local area churches. For example, the "Jubilee Souvenir of the Norfolk St. Methodist Church Guelph 1836-1906" publication is a history of the church with text and photographs contained throughout. 

However, what you may not expect from a jubilee souvenir is how it was bound. Notice the string or yarn used to visually offset or possibly help hold the publication together. In this way, how the material is presented can be just as interesting as the content contained within.

A few years back a researcher interested in learning or researching the practice of book binding used examples from the Guelph Public Library primarily assessment rolls.  Although this item did not serve as one of their examples, it does remind me of their work which cumulated in a thesis. Perhaps you wish to check out the Jubilee Souvenir for yourself! 

For more information about our local history collection, contact our Archivist Darcy Hiltz or phone 519-824-6220 extension 245.

One-on-One Tech Help
We're dedicated to connecting technology help to people of all learning levels. In a Tech Help appointment, you will be paired with a staff member who will provide free, one-on-one tech help at the Main Library.  We offer tech assistance with:  

• eBooks and eAudiobooks
• Simple tablet or phone troubleshooting
• Online Resources
• Basic computer and internet skills
• Video chat platforms

Book your one-on-one tech help appointment today by phoning 519-824-6220.

Learn to Play Disc Golf
Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time to try a new activity! Have you ever played a game of disc golf before? This low-impact sport combines elements of ultimate frisbee and golf. The objective is to complete the disc golf course in the fewest number of frisbee throws. The library has disc golf sets available to check out and there are courses located across the city to play at. Give it your best shot and let us know what you think!       

The Rosa Rattray Early Literacy Fund
The Rosa Rattray Early Literacy Fund was established in 2017 in memory of Rosa Rattray, a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a friend who instilled a love of reading and learning in her entire family. Gifts toward the fund help support early literacy initiatives at the library, providing resources and equipment to help young minds develop crucial building blocks for lifelong learning as well as nurture a love of reading and literacy right from the beginning.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, through the fund, several Early Literacy Stations have been purchased for our library system as well as Playaway Launchpads and educational toys. These learning tools are especially popular – and to date have provided thousands of learning hours for children in our community.

Donate to the Rosa Rattray Early Literacy Fund today.