The idea for READ: Recipes, eResources and Discussion was dreamed up on a sunny Thursday afternoon in the Branch. Heidi, an avid Library user and keen home-cook, stopped in the Branch to check out a popular baking cookbook that she had on hold. The cookbook she was checking out, Butter Baked Goods, sparked a conversation about great chefs, cookbook authors, and podcasts. (If you're looking for baking inspiration yourself, we've also put together a list of Heidi-approved baking cookbooks.)
That conversation sparked an idea: a monthly recipe writing and discussion group where neighbours could share recipes, discover new ones, and explore free library resources together. Williamstown, like many rural communities in SDG Counties, is an agricultural hub. We thought our community might enjoy a place to gather and talk about food. We wanted to create a space where neighbours could meet to preserve and share family recipes, to discuss food trends, and connect over home cooking. We also wanted people to get excited and learn about new eResources that anyone can use anywhere, even in their kitchen. But READ isn't just about recipes. It's about reading, writing, sharing stories, discovering trusted information, and preserving family traditions. Mostly, we wanted a space specifically for gathering, trading favourite recipes, and discussing home cooking. After all, we all eat.
We started to plan. One of the challenges we ran into was that unlike our book club kits, which have 10-12 copies of the same book, we didn’t necessarily have 12 copies of the same cookbook in circulation. We explored the SDG Library’s Digital Library resources and saw that we could all access the same recipes online, on demand, from reputable sources featuring tried-and-tested recipes, such as Taste of Home magazine through our PressReader accounts, all available at no cost with an SDG Library card.
We also wanted READ to be welcoming and accessible. Rather than asking participants to prepare dishes ahead of time or bring food to share, we removed the expectation altogether. Instead, we focused on creating a relaxed writing and discussion group where everyone could exchange family favourites, online discoveries, and recipes they're intrigued by but haven't yet tried to make. Attendees are also welcome to use Branch craft and writing supplies to copy down recipes shared during the discussion.
And that's how READ: Recipes, eResources and Discussion came to life. Registration is now open! Check out the calendar of events for this program along with the many other amazing programs the SDG Library has going on this Fall. We're looking forward to seeing what recipes and stories our community brings to the table, just as Heidi did that sunny afternoon. Whether your favourite recipe has been in your family for generations or came from a website you discovered last week, we'd love to hear its story. Bring your curiosity and your favourite recipe, and you might just leave with a few new favourites of your own. If that sounds like your kind of evening, READ might be for you. Everyone is welcome!
Register for READ: Recipes, eResources, and Discussion Program
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