Brampton Library Blog

Written by Andrea Querido, Blogger

Category: Blog

Published: 23 May 2019

I love a good life hack. Use cupcake liners to keep bugs out of drinks at an outdoor party? Okay. Keep a cut avocado fresh for longer? Sure. Serve condiments in a muffin tin? I’m in!

Learning about life hacks can feel like falling down a rabbit hole. In fact, a few weeks ago my 5-year-old son and I fell into the abyss of life hack videos (Thanks, You Tube!). So I got to thinking, “What about the library?”

Hacks are not only helpful in making your life a bit easier, but when they apply to the library they can enrich your life too.

And so, I present to you, my Top 5 Library Hacks:

• Go Digital. Looking to pad your pocketbook while still enjoying all of the latest articles from your favourite magazines and newspapers? You can access full­-colour, digital versions of today's top ones from around the world in over 60 languages from the Brampton Library Website. Click here to read now.
• Hottest Books in a Flash. If your Instagram feed is always teasing you with the hottest reads and new releases (like mine is), then you’re probably first in line to grab your copy. Instead of placing an online hold for the latest titles and having to wait (no one wants to be 45^th out of 46 holds!), visit the Lightning Loan display at the front of your Brampton Library. Many of the newest releases are displayed there for a seven-day loan.
• Online Learning. From Meditation and Mindfulness, to Social Media for Business and Introduction to Non-Profit Management, I’ve taken about six courses on Brampton Library’s Online Learning Portal. Currently, there are eight resources that offer hundreds of courses to pique your curiosity and expand your knowledge base.
• Share Your Picks. Did you know you can have your say as to which books the library adds to its collection? Simply Suggest a Purchase and you could see your request added. 
• Streaming Made Simple. Not only does your library card grant you access to books, you can also enjoy music from tens of thousands of popular artists in hundreds of musical genres through Freegal and access over 30,000 Popular Movies, Documentaries, Indie Flicks, World Cinema, Classic Films, TV Series, and more on your computer or mobile device from Kanopy. The best part? You don’t even have to leave the house!

Sharing is caring! What’s your favourite library hack?

Andrea Querido lives in Brampton with her family – which consists of a loving husband, a curious 5-year-old, and a stubborn French bulldog. When she’s not at the library, she enjoys reading, writing, baking, and spending quality time with loved ones. You can follow along with her library adventures right here every month. You can read more from Andrea on her blog whatandreasaid.com.

Written by Rachel Hopwood, Children & Youth Services Librarian

Category: Blog

Published: 02 May 2019

National Youth Week is an annual celebration of youth and their active participation in their community. One of the ways that Brampton youth can connect with their community is through the Library’s Teen Leadership Community (aka TLC).

Our Teen Leadership Community groups meet weekly at each of Brampton Library’s 7 branches from September to June to advise the library on what they and other youth would like to see from us. We rely on this youth advisory to let us know what kind of activities and programs they’d like to try out and to help us plan and develop new and exciting offerings from the library.

TLC is also a place for Brampton’s youth to work in a collaborative environment to develop their personal leadership and communication skills. TLC members come to the library from a variety of schools and backgrounds and work together to help the library plan our teen programs and to find ways to give back to the larger Brampton community.

Since September 2018, our TLC groups have: sought out donations for food banks, animal shelters, and organized hat & mitten donation campaigns; visited a retirement home for seniors; picked up litter in their communities; expressed their opinions, shared their time and so much more.

They have also organized library activities like button making, post-it art, paint nights, and Wii gaming. They’ve created and exchanged mini Escape Rooms with one another. They’ve organized debates, movie nights and learned how to use 3D printers and vinyl cutters. They’ve contributed book reviews to the Brampton Guardian and Desi News. They’ve made new friends and learned how to work as a team at their branch.

In their own words, here are some highlights of the past year…

• Being part of TLC has brought joy and opportunities for me.  I have gained knowledge from other volunteers, leadership and collaborative skill by working with people.  Attending TLC has opened doors for me and give the confidence to take risks. Every time I enter the doors to the program room, I feel motivated to express my ideas and the environment is very welcoming.
• We like being TLC members because we do so many interesting and fun activities together. We stepped out of our comfort zones and sang in front of an audience. We began to socialize and make new friends. And it allowed us to expand our horizons and interact with new people allowing us to portray various different skills and learn new things. This helps us as individuals because we succeed and test our abilities. Being a TLC member is a very exciting experience that helps us learn how to cooperate and communicate with different people.
• Learning more about our community
• Meeting new people and making new friends
• Learning new skills and new forms of technology
• Making people’s days brighter

So, as we near the end of the 2018-19 TLC year, we want to make sure that this National Youth Week (and the rest of the year, too!) we’re honouring all the hard work and dedication of our TLC volunteers. You are such bright, caring, open people and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

If you’re interested in joining Brampton Library’s Teen Leadership Community this fall, please complete our volunteer application form online or at your local branch.

Written by Purva Bhatia, Blogger

Category: Blog

Published: 14 May 2019

The following is a guest blog contribution from one of our lovely customers and mommy bloggers, Purva. Find the original: Mommy Life Blog

I remember reading out loud books to my baby when she was still inside me. They say babies can hear us while still in our womb. I did that hoping she starts loving books even before she is born . For I know, there is no better habit than that of reading. Books nurture us.

I have been continuously reading to my baby, who will turn 2 next month. The efforts have been worth it because she does love books.

Back in India, a public library isn’t a place you’d want to hang out in. While most have a good collection of books, there is nothing to attract young readers.

So, my joy doubled here in Canada, seeing the public libraries here. We recently became a member of Brampton Public Library. It has seven branches in the vicinity, giving me an equal access to all. I can borrow a book from one branch and return it in the other one.

The system allows me to borrow up to 50 items at a time; these include books, magazines, DVDs, and audio books. Plus, there are several activities for kids of all ages. I see people even bringing their 10-month olds to baby storytime sessions. All these are for free (now, that’s tax money very well spent).

These facilities might seem nothing unusual to someone born and brought up here but is extraordinary for someone from a country where these things are unheard of. 

I am happy my little one will grow up believing that libraries are a fun place to spend time in. What else can a bibliophile mom hope for!

Keep up with Purva at Mommy Life Blog. 

Written by Andrea Querido

Category: Blog

Published: 15 April 2019

Word nerd. Book warrior. Reading addict. My name is Andrea Querido and I love the library.

Yes, it’s true. I’ve always found solace in the company of books. They have the magic to take you places when you’re forced to stay where you are, while presenting exciting new (and sometimes life-changing) ideas, challenging beliefs we might have held for years, and encouraging us to grow – even when we think we’re too old to learn new tricks.

In fact, as a resident of Brampton for almost eight years, I have fallen in love with the city library (my reading list is almost at 500!). It’s the cornerstone of the community, filled with dedicated staff always more than happy to assist. Packed with books, Launchpad Tablets for Kids, and DVDs (to name just a few of the amazing resources offered), the library also runs year-round programs for the young – and young-at-heart.

It’s a welcoming place where you can get connected with a new passion, skill, as well other students, parents (their kids’ programs are where it’s at!), and friends just waiting to be made in your neighbourhood.

Plus, you can make book recommendations, download eMagazines and Newspapers, stream films anywhere at any time, participate in workshops and take courses, and enjoy family time with special guests (if you haven’t been to a Bumbling Bert Magic Show, you don’t know what you’re missing!). Talk about fun!

Believe me when I say that the library is THE place to be – and I want YOU to join me! As a weekly visitor, I’m excited to share the latest and greatest reads, programs, and plain old fun your Brampton Library has to offer right here every month.

In the meantime, I need to know – what’s YOUR favourite thing about the Brampton Library?

Andrea Querido lives in Brampton with her family – which consists of a loving husband, a curious 5-year-old, and a stubborn French bulldog. When she’s not at the library, she enjoys reading, writing, baking, and spending quality time with loved ones. You can follow along with her library adventures right here every month. You can read more from Andrea on her blog whatandreasaid.com.