2021 Teen ETCH Creative Art Contests
Attention all teens in grades 7 through 12! Are you looking for an opportunity to express your creativity through your writing and/or digital design? Enter the Guelph Public Library’s 2021 Teen ETCH Creative Art contests either by submitting a short story on any topic and/or showcasing your artistic talents by creating a digital art piece.

Email your submissions to teens@guelphpl.ca by 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021. Short story entries must be in your own original writing, 1,500 words or less and typed, single-spaced in Word. Please do not submit your stories via Google docs or PDFs. All artwork entries need to be submitted as a high resolution .eps, .pdf or .jpg file. Your submission must include the title of your story and/or art piece, your full name, school, grade, phone number and guardian’s name.

Each story contest finalist will be paired up with a local author mentor, who will share writing techniques to help polish their final submission before judging. Prizes will be awarded to the top three submissions in each of the following categories: Grades 7 to 8, Grades 9 to 10 and Grades 11 to 12.

What are you waiting for? Start creating your short story and art piece today!

Vocamus Press Writing Series
Are you an aspiring writer? Join Vocamus Writers Community for their free virtual writing series! Every Sunday in February at 2 p.m., listen to a local guest speaker discuss different aspects of the writing profession. Register for each session:

• February 7: Writing with Intercultural Sensitivity
   with Kim Davids Mandar
• February 14: Photographs to Improve Creativity with Anna Cox 
• February 21: Writing for the Stage with Graeme McClelland
• February 28: Poetry and the Particular with Mike Chaulk

Make 2021 your year to start writing! 

Spreading some Library Cheer!
It’s time to spread some Library love this February! Set a goal to complete a Self-Care Bingo challenge each day. Complete five (5) activities in a row, column or diagonal on your bingo card for chance to win a prize generously donated by The Community Company.

It’s easy to enter! Snap a photo of your completed card and email it to contests@guelphpl.ca by February 28, 2021. Prize draws will be held in early March.

“Community is core to everything we do and we are proud to partner with this self-care initiative,” shares Justin Chan, Founder of The Community Company.

To get started, download and print the library’s self-care bingo card from the library's website or visit any library location during curbside service hours to pick up your bingo card. Take time for yourself this month, have fun and spread some cheer!

From the Archives:
Did you know the Guelph Public Library is one of the oldest public libraries in Ontario and has been 'officially' a free public library since February 10, 1883? This photograph shows part of the Carnegie Library interior. The Carnegie Library was built in 1905 on the corner of Norfolk and Paisley street with a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. It eventually proved too small to serve Guelph’s growing population and was demolished in 1964. The current main library now resides on the same location. Explore more of Guelph's rich history today!

Celebrate Black “Heritage” Month with Guelph Black Heritage Society
The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS), in collaboration with the University of Guelph’s Cultural Diversity Office and the Guelph Black Students Association, has announced it will recognize February 2021 as Black “Heritage” Month. 

For over 25 years, February has been referred to as Black History Month in Canada, following a motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine – the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament. Celebrating the past has always been the focal point of Black History Month although this year, GBHS and its partners have decided to do things a little differently. 

“This month will commemorate past and present accomplishments within the Black community, and set sights on our bright future ahead,” explains Denise Francis, GBHS president. “While we will continue to acknowledge the resilience and bravery of those who came before us, we must recognize that Black history and experiences are much more than the narrative of slavery.”

During Black “Heritage” Month 2021, the GBHS will feature its #ChangeStartsNow initiative, providing virtual educational programming on Black heritage and culture as well as relevant resources on diversity, discrimination and anti-racism. 

Continue reading this article on the library's website and learn more about GBHS free (donations encouraged) virtual events and Top 100+ resources as we honour the past, celebrate today and look toward the future.

Photo Credit:
@ward1studios and @emilyvictoria_designs

There's a Book for That: Children's Books
Each month, Children's and Teen Librarian Ben will share books on the topics you ask about for your families. This month showcases LGBTQ children books, picture books that have a non-fiction element and classical music recommendations.

Challenge us with your tough questions by emailing askus@guelphpl.ca.

Make Every Day Family Day: Board Game Fun
Family Day is a great time to take a break and spend the day with your family and the people you care for in your life. While library locations are closed to observe this holiday, this doesn't mean we can't be a part of your Family Day celebrations! A family game night is a fun way to spend time with your kids. If you are looking for a new or different board game to play, then the Children’s Department at the Main Library has a collection of family friendly board games that you can borrow. Ticket to Ride: First Journey, Planet and Pandemic are just a few of the games available for you to check out for curbside pickup. Click here to check out our list of board games and plan your family game night!