Librarians in Okotoks are proving there’s more to libraries than just rows of books on shelves. In celebration of Canadian Library Month in October, staff and volunteers at the Okotoks Public Library are engaging youngsters in the arts, highlighting local self-published authors, getting busy with sensory storytime and introducing a human library. “Every year we try to do something to celebrate it,” said assistant librarian Lara Grunow of Canadian Library Month. “We just want to get people at the library to show we are not just books, we actually have a lot of programming and community space and welcome the community to come in and check us out the fun stuff you can do at the library for free.” The first event, Sat-ART-Day at the Library, kicks off Oct. 6 where children can get hands on with library staff and volunteers for an hour creating various art projects. “We thought that art is a really great creative way for kids to come in and have some fun,” said Grunow. “So many of our books here on the shelves have different craft ideas you can do. We pulled some resources and said, ‘Let’s have an art day.’” The day’s activities include crafts with Perler beads at 10 a.m. and decoupage at 11:30 a.m. for children ages four to nine, followed by zentangle at 1 p.m. and hedgehogs books at 2:30 p.m. for children ages 10-16. “Zentangle is taking a black fine-tipped marker and you let your mind wander to create shapes,” explained Grunow. “It’s amazing the kind of designs you have when you let your mind go. For the hedgehogs, the kids will repurpose some of our books and use the pages to turn them into hedgehogs.” On Oct. 13, self-published authors from across the Foothills will bring in their books and be available to talk with the public from noon to 3 p.m. in Indie Author Day, which will also feature author readings. Grunow said the event, which is held worldwide the second Saturday of October, helps self-published and independent authors get discovered and find books written by fellow community members. “It’s just an opportunity for local self-published and independent authors to let the community know they’re here,” she said. “We have so many talented authors writing all different types of materials. It’s our opportunity to give back to them.” Starting on Oct. 16, children with limited abilities up to age 12 can enjoy Sensory Storytime with their aides on Tuesdays from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. This interactive program builds literacy skills and engages senses with books, songs and play throughout the year, said Grunow. “A lot of aids come in here with the youth they’re working with and one of them was saying it would be fantastic to have a story time for our charges,” she said. “We thought we could make this happen, to give them a story time where they will have a safe space and can have some fun.” Grunow said Sensory Storytime will incorporate movement into the stories, such as tactile games to improve gross motor skills. Ending the month-long celebration is a human library, where Foothills residents leading interesting lives or with interesting stories to tell will serve as real live books Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “It’s an opportunity for people with interesting backgrounds to come and act as books so other people can check them out and ask them questions one on one,” said Grunow. “If you have questions about domestic abuse, let’s say you might feel awkward at a lecture, at this setting it’s one on one. You can ask your questions and the people who volunteer their time are sharing their story or their understanding of whatever topic it is they’re presenting.” To be a part of Indie Author Day or the Human Library contact Paula Benson at [email protected] or 403-938-2220. To register your child in Sat-ART-day, go to okotokslibrary.ca. Registration closes at the end of the day on Oct. 3.
