October is Canadian Library month and Ontario Public Library Week is from Oct.19 – 25. Madawaska Valley Public Library CEO Natalie Barrington took this opportunity to review many Library events and services with The Current. She began, “All month long, Library visitors can enter their name in a draw for a Chapters/Indigo gift card. We will pull the winner at the end of October.”
On Saturday, Oct.18th, MVPL held an Open House for the community to learn about library services. At top from left: Dorinda and Alphonse Lorbetski, Mary Blank, Jen Mills, Brynley Yantha, and Lynda Lepinskie at the Open House. (Photo submitted) Barrington explained there are information posters up in the Library, and a feedback survey is available for Library patrons all week long. She said, “On Saturday, we offered coffee, tea and baked goods. We provided a scavenger hunt for children, a puzzle for anyone who wished to hang out, a large colouring poster for children, take-home craft kits, and information on becoming a Library Board member. In the afternoon, our Artist of the Month, Nicole Conway, ran a craft workshop, teaching participants to make gift tags with materials from around the house.”
Library membership brings benefits
A library membership is free for residents and property owners in both Madawaska Valley and Brudenell Lyndoch Raglan. A library membership card opens the door to a wealth of resources such as:
- Books, DVDs, audio books
- Nature kits, such as the fresh water kit donated by the Carson Trout Lepine & Greenan Lakes Association
- Passes to museums and Ontario parks
- Puzzles
- Interlibrary loans (and MVPL accepts requests to add books to our collection)
- Digital resources:
- Read e-books with OverDrive/Libby
- Learn a new language with Mango Languages
- Enjoy AtoZ World Food & Travel
- Research your heritage with Ancestry Library Edition
- Enjoy an online movie streaming subscription to Kanopy and Kanopy Kids
Public services at MVPL without a library card
There are also many public services that do not require a library card. Barrington said, “Our programming is free or low cost, and everyone is welcome. Public computers, and WiFi, low-cost printing, low-cost copying and scanning are all available for anyone. We try to bring in community services such as Agelic employment services and Service Canada on a regular basis to ease accessibility to these services for the community.”
How is MV Library financed?
Library CEO Barrington shared, “Our Used Book Sale is our largest fundraiser, open year round, during library hours. Purchases are by donation or fill a bag for $10. We do accept donations of books in good condition, without mold, but cannot accept textbooks or VHS.”
She continued, “The library is a registered charity. Tax receipts can be provided for donations over $25. Donations to the library help keep our programs and services free or low cost. Donations also help us to purchase new equipment for the library. For example, in 2026 we wish to purchase four new public computers (to replace our current public computers) due to the Windows 11 upgrade.”
Volunteers are essential to MV Library
She stated, “We are thankful to many volunteers who work on the Library board, in the book sale, at fundraising events, and who help out with everyday Library tasks throughout the week.”
Barrington reminded Valley residents and visitors, “Any time is a good time to drop by the library, sign up for a new membership or renew your expired membership, and find out everything the library has to offer. See you at the library!”
