April 22nd is Earth Day! What is that you might ask? Earth Day is an annual international day of environmental activism. It was started by the Earth Day Network in 1970 to raise awareness of the effects of environmental pollution. Since its founding, Earth Day has moved 1 billion people in 190 countries across the world into action against climate change. Learn more about Earth Day here.
2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, making this Earth Day even more special than usual.The Earth Day Network was pushing even harder for a far reaching global campagne this year, with events and support registered world wide. Unfortunately because of the COVID 19 pandemic, Earth Day has had to rethink its 2020 movement.
“The coronavirus pandemic does not shut us down. Instead, it reminds us of what’s at stake in our fight for the planet.”
However, they are not letting COVID 19 crush their spirits or thier campagne. They have moved Earth Dayonline!
While we may not be able to participate in physical Earth Day events and gatherings, we can still join in from home. Every action counts when it comes to saving the planet. Here are some things you can start doing right now to lessen your environmental impact:
Turn off the lights - if you are not using a particular space in your house, turning off the lights can help conserve energy
Switch to LED lights - they last longer and use much less energy than regular incandescent lights
Wash your clothing in cold water - this saves the energy required to heat up the water for a warm wash (and is more gentle on clothing, so you can rock your style for longer!)
Buy a water filtration system - instead of buying plastic water bottles, you can buy a water filtration system system and a reusable water bottle. Not only it MUCH better for the environment, but it is also more cost effective.
Buy less - the less you buy, the less there is to throw out.
These tips are only the tip(ha!) of the eco-friendly lifestyle iceberg. Did you know that you can still access library resources while we are closed? Our ebook and e-audio book collection is available online 24/7, come rain, shine, or pandemic. If you would like to learn some more check out our ebook reading lists below.
While Earth Day may only take place once a year, remember the Earth needs us all year round. No matter where you start, help do your part in protecting our planet.
Brampton Library is pleased to announce that it is helping the CovidStop.ca crowdsourcing initiative, organized by Shop3D.ca, to make protective face shields for health care workers.
Brampton Library staff is using the Library’s 3D printers to make parts for the protective face shield. As the parts are printed, they are sent to Shop 3D.ca’s facility, where they will be assembled with a clear plastic sheet and head strap.
From there, the protective face shields are ready to be distributed to health care workers, pharmacists, social workers and others who are at high risk of infection, working in close contact with their patients.
Magazines and newspapers are also a part of the digital resources that Brampton Library offers its members. You can get access to digital versions of popular magazines and newspapers containing world-wide news. If you enjoy keeping up to date on the news or if your favourite pastime is reading magazines, then the e-magazines and online newspaper resources Brampton Library offers are for you! The process of borrowing newspapers and magazines is as simple as clicking one button. A Brampton Library membership is required to view newspapers and magazines.
For newspapers, the topics available range from world-wide news, politics, and local news. With magazines, the topics range from food, home, entertainment, fashion, travel and much more. It is up to you to choose the topics you enjoy! Brampton Library offers online newspapers and magazines from a number of platforms and these include RB Digital (formerly known as Zinio), PressReader, Proquest Historical Newspapers, the Brampton Newspaper Index and the Ontario Newspaper Index.
RB Digital carries collections of current and popular magazines. I have been using this platform on my mobile phone to read magazines related to fashion, food and design to keep up with the latest trends! I also like to read my favourite publications to stay up to date on world news and events. These magazines are updated regularly, so you can rely on getting up to date information without worrying about waiting for holds. Another feature I enjoy is that I can keep these magazines after I borrow them, which means I can keep a record of the magazines I have read in the past.
PressReader has an extensive collection of magazines and newspapers in over 60 languages. I personally enjoy how the publications are organized and categorized for a seamless search. I also use this platform to keep up to date on world news. I enjoy reading their publications relating to decor, architecture and design. They give me inspiration on how to organize, update and style my space.
You can use this page to access and find out more about the other eMagazine and Newspaper resources that Brampton Library offers.
Working in close collaboration with our partners at the City of Brampton and Peel Public Health, we are today sharing the update that all Brampton Library branches will remain closed until further notice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ‘plank’ the curve of contagion.
Knowing how much you rely on our branch services makes our decision especially difficult, but all of us must practice physical distancing at this critical time.
Some important take-aways:
If you have borrowed library materials, please do not return them to our drop boxes until we reopen, overdue fines will not be charged on these items
Our ‘holds’ service is not currently available. It will resume when we reopen
While we cannot interact with you in person, our online library service continues. Our Digital Library offers Brampton Library cardholders a full range of eResources, eAudiobooks, eBooks for all ages, online learning, and more. You will need your library card to get started. If you don’t have one, click here to get one today. There are no restrictions to digital access when you sign up online.
We miss you and look forward to welcoming you back! Please keep in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @bramptonlibrary. Share what you’re reading and let us know how you are coping. We will post regular updates here and on social media.
With Black History Month coming to an end, I hope that you have been able to read a few of the books that I have recommended. If not, I have more recommendations and it is never too late to start! This will be the last installment of the series, in which I will introduce titles on the topics of self-love and acceptance. I have divided them into kid-friendly, adult fiction and non-fiction categories.
These books play a large part in displaying how it is to be a person of colour. While reading these books, you get to step into the character's shoes and experience their life, some more than others. In the end, you leave with an understanding of their thoughts and struggles. I especially love this collection because it breaks down generalizations and stereotypes that lead to detrimental ways of thinking in our society. You’ll find themes of body positivity, self-love, religion, sexuality, intersectional identities, humour, abuse, self-discovery, inspiration and mystery. So read along if these are your areas of interest and place requests for book holds online.
Kid Friendly
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
Genesis Begins Again is the story of a middle school girl who tries to find self-love and acceptance in an environment that does nothing but make her feel bad about her dark skin and features. Her dad is a gambler and an alcoholic who spends all the rent money. It is a regular occurrence for her family to get kicked out of the house because of unpaid bills. Genesis faces bullying in school and has a list of 96 things she hates about herself. Her father, mother and grandmother regularly point out the tone of her dark skin and her hair. This leads her to potentially cause physical damage to her skin by trying to scrub it with bleach. Recommended for ages 11 and older.
New Kid by Jerry Craft
A graphic novel about a boy who gets enrolled into a mostly white private school even though his previous school was predominantly black. He is forced to balance his new and old friends and challenges his new classmates’ beliefs about people of colour while they challenge his beliefs and stereotypes about white people.
It’s refreshing to see a book that relates to the real issues and experiences children go through in middle school, especially when they are the new kid coming in with a different perspective. Recommended for ages 8-12.
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
This story is about a boy named Norris who moves from Montreal, Quebec to Austin, Texas. He prepares himself for the move by characterizing real American teenagers from the movies he watches. As a result, he ends up categorizing all his classmates, judging them by assigning them names.. These names include: “hairy armpits”, “the cheerleaders”, “the jocks”, “the loners”, and “the manic pixie dream girl.” In the end, Norris realizes that the characteristics he’s assigned to the people in his school are not as they seem. Recommended for ages 13-17.
Interested? Borrow this book at one of our branches to follow Norris and find out what it's like to be the new black kid from Canada in an American school.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes
A story book highlighting the experience of black boys and men at the barber shop. The feeling of getting a fresh trim is related to feeling like royalty. Recommended for ages 5-12.
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds
A humorous tale based on the adventures of middle schoolers on their way home from school. Included in the ten stories are the characters going through funny and embarrassing moments, and dealing with illness, heartbreak, and friendship. Recommended for ages 10-14.
Fiction
My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Themes of gender, violence and family ties run through this story which is set in Lagos, Nigeria. Older sister Korede must protect her younger and more beautiful sister, Ayoola at all costs even if she is a murderer. This book cannot be summarized any further or I would be providing spoilers! This is a perfect read if you love thrillers, murder-mysteries and dark comedy.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
This book represents voices that have been marginalized or “othered” and reveals complexities of the identities of marginalized women of almost every age. It follows the life of a teenager and her mother, the life of a successful investor and her mother’s story emigrating from Nigeria to Britain. It also tells the story of friends and lovers. There is much intersectionality of black women whose stories are not typical. This book tells their stories and the complexities that come with them. It also challenges the ideas of these intersectionalities.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
A coming of age story about sexuality, finding your voice, dealing with strict parents, religious influences, body positivity, family dynamics and the male gaze.
Nonfiction
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
A funny memoir written by Trevor Noah. He tells funny stories of his childhood in South Africa while addressing issues such as apartheid, racism, segregation and discrimination.
Black enough: Stories of being Young and Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi
An anthology of stories from various authors which highlight the different ways that one can be black. These stories challenge the narrative of blackness through the themes of identity, wealth and poverty, relationships, sexuality and immigration. This book especially emphasises how being black comes in different forms and looks many different ways as opposed to the stereotypes and portrayals in popular media.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
This is a book about self-discovery as Jacqueline searches for her strengths and learns about her history. Growing up in New York during the civil rights era post segregation, Jacqueline makes friends who together, seek to learn more about the civil rights movement and discover their love for Angela Davis.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
A book about Maya Angelou’s life from age 3 to 16. Maya recounts her experience with racism and segregation, family relationships, abuse, self-discovery, violence, rape, and sexual identity.
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