Off the Shelf - January 2018

Winter, we all know it is here to stay, at least for the next few months. To be honest, I am a fan of winter and the activities associated with the season. Whether it be snowshoeing, skiing, or a good old-fashioned snowball fight, winter has its charms. However, there is a breaking point where winter strips activities of their charm due to extreme temperatures, leaving us with no choice but to hibernate indoors. We recently experienced such a cold spell between Christmas and New Year’s.

What do we do when it is too dangerous to play outside? How do we burn off our children’s energy and quench their need for adventure? The library is a great escape from the cold. The library offers more than books. There is tangible play-based learning, new technology like 3D Printing, access to a wide variety of programs, video games, computers, and more.

Unable to make it to the SD&G County Library due to the weather? Not a problem. Enjoy the Library from the comfort of your own home with our robust eLibrary. Read an eBook or eMagazine, or sit back and listen to an audiobook. Take a photography lesson or learn app development with online video instruction available through Lynda.com. Learn how to play the guitar, piano, or drums with ArtistWorks. We can even help to banish the blues with our SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lamps, found at several of our branches. All are free to Library members. If you are not already a member, you can apply by visiting any one of our fifteen branches, or online at www.sdglibrary.ca/apply.

Do not let winter get you down. Call upon your SD&G County Library to get you through to spring. Connect. Create. Explore. But most of all, stay warm.