Tiny Art Show returns to Clinton Branch

Tiny Art Show returns to Clinton Branch

Calling all artists of ALL abilities! The Clinton Branch‘s Tiny Art Show returns this spring and we invite you to join in on the creative fun! Pick up a 5” X 5” board from the branch to create your tiny artwork. Use your own art supplies to decorate your board using any medium you choose (paint, draw, decoupage, collage, sew, etc.).

The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 15, 2024. The Tiny Art Show opening will be held on March 23, 1 p.m. Artwork will be displayed in the library from March 23 to April 20, 2024. Tiny refreshments will be served.

Download an entry form and return to the Clinton Branch along with your piece by March 15. Entry forms are also available from the branch.

Art Show Rules:

  • One board per person or group. Available while supplies last.
  • No candles or electrical devices, including battery operated.
  • Objects, paper, and materials of any kind, except food, may be glued to the canvas, but artwork must remain 5” X 5” and must be able to hang flat against the wall.
  • Please write your name on the back of the canvas and include an arrow to show which way is the top.
  • Fill out the entire Tiny Art Show entry form and bring with you when you submit your art.
  • After the show opening on March 23, artwork will be displayed until April 20. Art must be picked up at the Circulation Desk by April 30. Please note, any artwork not picked up will become library property for use as we deem fit.
  • The Huron County Library reserves the right to refuse any work considered unsuitable and/or does not meet these guidelines. Or if it cannot be accommodated safely or comfortably within the library space.
  • By participating in the Clinton Branch Tiny Art Show, you agree to allow Huron County Library to publicly display and photograph your art for promotion and engagement.
The Huron-Perth Period Poverty Taskforce is planning a FREE menstrual product pilot project at local libraries this Fall

The Huron-Perth Period Poverty Taskforce is planning a FREE menstrual product pilot project at local libraries this Fall

The Huron-Perth Period Poverty Taskforce is hosting a pilot project designed to address Period Poverty in the Huron-Perth region beginning Oct. 16, 2023. During this pilot project, select locations, including all library locations in Huron and Perth Counties, will offer menstrual products to all students, visitors, and patrons for FREE.

“Providing affordable solutions to help people manage their periods comfortably and hygienically is absolutely necessary,” said Beth Rumble, Director of Cultural Services and County Librarian for the County of Huron. “This pilot project will not only fill a gap and ease a financial burden for many families, it also addresses the subject of menstruation head on and without stigma.”

“Period Poverty” is a term that refers to the lack of access to menstrual products due to cost or other barriers. Research indicates almost two-thirds of people who menstruate in Canada have missed work or school because of lack of access to necessary hygiene products. Due to stigma surrounding menstruation, these issues are often not discussed.  

It is the goal of the Task Force to ensure equitable access to quality menstrual supplies for all who need them. This pilot project represents one of the initiatives currently being undertaken by the Task Force. The group will also engage in a range of activities, from resource-sharing to improving access to current supply, to advocating for broader, more systemic long-term solutions for Huron and Perth.

The Huron-Perth Period Poverty Taskforce includes representation from:

  • United Way Perth Huron;
  • Huron Women’s Shelter;
  • Optimism Place;
  • Perth County Information Network;
  • Huron County Library;
  • Avon Maitland District School Board; and
  • more 

To learn more about the Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force and the upcoming pilot project, please visit the End Period Poverty page on Huron County Connects: www.connectedcountyofhuron.ca/period-poverty

 

National Indigenous History Month

National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month and staff have compiled a great list of recent releases by First Nations, Inuit and Métis authors from across North America that highlight the diversity of experiences and the common need for continued acts of reconciliation.

For more recommendations check out the list curated by Library staff here or ask us in the branches for more ideas.

Cover image of True North Rising

Memoir – True North Rising: My 50-year Journey with the Inuit and Dene Leaders who Transformed Canada’s North by Whit Fraser

In this captivating memoir, Whit Fraser weaves scenes from more than fifty years of reporting and living in the North with fascinating portraits of the Dene and Inuit activists who successfully overturned the colonial order and politically reshaped Canada—including his wife, Mary Simon, Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General.

Place a hold online…

 

Cover image of Truth Telling

Non-Fiction – Truth Telling: Seven Conversations About Indigenous Life in Canada by Michelle Good

A bold, provocative collection of essays exploring the historical and contemporary Indigenous experience in Canada that reveals facts about Indigenous life that are both devastating and enlightening. Essential reading for those looking to acknowledge the past and understand the way forward.

Place a hold online…

 

Cover image of Unbroken

Non-Fiction – Unbroken: My Fight for Survival, Hope and Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls by Angela Sterritt

A remarkable work of memoir and investigative journalism focusing on missing and murdered Indigenous women, written by an award-winning Gitxsan journalist who survived life on the streets against all odds.

Place a hold online…

 

Cover image of The Berry Pickers

Fiction – The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

A stunning debut by a vibrant new voice in fiction, The Berry Pickers is a riveting novel about the search for truth, the shadow of trauma and the persistence of love across time. This story follows one Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia that is haunted for decades after their youngest child mysteriously disappears one summer in 1962 when they’re visiting Maine to pick blueberries.

Place a hold online…

 

Cover image of Grandmother Begins the Story

Fiction – Grandmother Begins the Story written by Michelle Porter

Award-winning author Michelle Porter makes her fiction debut with an enchanting and original story of the unrivaled desire for healing and the power of familial bonds across five generations of Métis women and the land and bison that surround them.

Place a hold online…

 

Cover image of Funeral Songs for Dying Girls

Young Adult Fiction – Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline

After inadvertently starting rumors of a haunted cemetery, a teen befriends a ghost in this brand-new young adult novel exploring Indigenous identity from the critically acclaimed and bestselling author of The Marrow Thieves series.

Place a hold online…

 

Cover image of Indigenous Ingenuity

Juvenile Non-Fiction – Indigenous Ingenuity by Deidre Havrelock and Edward Kay; illustrated by Kalila Fuller

Spanning topics from transportation to civil engineering, hunting technologies, astronomy, brain surgery, architecture, and agriculture, Indigenous Ingenuity is a beautifully designed, interactive nonfiction work that celebrates North American Indigenous thinkers and inventions. Perfect for fans of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.  ​

Place a hold online…

 

Cover image of Rabbit Chase

Juvenile Graphic Novel – Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée; illustrated by KC Oster

Anishinaabe culture and storytelling meet Alice in Wonderland in this coming-of-age graphic novel that explores Indigenous and gender issues through a fresh yet familiar looking glass. This tale tells the story of Aimée, a non-binary Anishinaabe middle-schooler, who helps Trickster Rabbit track down dark water spirits and save the land from the Evil Queen.

Place a hold online…

 

Cover image of Smile so Big

Picture Book – Smile so Big by Sunshine Quem Tenasco; illustrated by Chief Lady Bird

This special story, from award-winning Anishinabe activist Sunshine Quem Tenasco and artist Chief Lady Bird, introduces readers to concepts of self-acceptance, self-empowerment, and recognition of the unique beauty that comes from within as a magical mirror helps a young girl understand her true beauty.

Place a hold online…

Celebrating Pride Month

Celebrating Pride Month

The Huron County Library is celebrating Pride Month by sharing valuable resources, participating in community events, and hosting activities in our branches.

Here is a round-up of what’s happening throughout June:

Huron County Pride Outreach: The Huron County Library is popping up at Huron County’s first Pride Festival! Find us on the Square in downtown Goderich on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and take in the amazing activities happening throughout the day!

LGBTQ2S+ Resources for young people and their families: Library staff have put together a valuable resource guide to support young people and their families. The guide features links to online resources, books from our collection, local supports, and more.

Book Raffle: The Library is raffling off 10 LGBTQ2S+ books for a variety of ages (picture books, junior fiction, young adult, adult fiction, and adult non-fiction). Find ballots throughout the month of June at all 12 branches or visit us at the Huron Pride Festival.

Pride Panel Discussion: Join us on Tuesday, June 27 from 7-8 p.m., for a virtual discussion on the growing censorship of LGBTQ2S+ books. Registration required

LGBTQ2S+ Youth Gab Sessions: This is an opportunity for youth ages 16-25 to meet in a safe space for youth to discuss their LGBTQ2S+ experiences. This event runs the last Thursday of each month from 5-6 p.m. at the Goderich Branch. Registration required.

Rainbow Wands @ Goderich Branch: Make a rainbow wand on Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to help celebrate Huron Pride’s first Pride Festival! Registration required

Evening Experts @ Goderich Branch: In celebration of Pride Month, we welcome speakers from Huron County Pride on Wednesday, June 21 starting at 6:30 p.m.to speak about this grassroots LGBTQ2+ organization and more!

Origami Hearts @ Exeter Branch: Drop into the Exeter Branch through the month of June to help the library decorate the windows with origami hearts. Available during regular branch hours.

Blind Date with an LGBTQ2S+ Book @ Exeter Branch: The Exeter Branch is hosting Blind Date with an LGBTQ2S+ book throughout the month of June. 

    Ramadan Reading Guide

    Ramadan Reading Guide

    Help celebrate Ramadan with this guide featuring books by and about Muslims from diverse backgrounds and countries. The word ‘Ramadan’ refers to the name of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. In 2023, the holy month is recognized from the evening of Wednesday, March 22, 2023 to the evening of Thursday, April 20, 2023 during which fasting is observed by Muslims all over the world. A staff-created list with even more of our recent favourites can on our online catalogue.

    Book cover for Evil Eye

    Fiction – Evil Eye by Etaf Rum

    The acclaimed New York Times bestselling Muslim author of A Woman Is No Man returns with a striking exploration of the expectations of Palestinian-American women, the meaning of a fulfilling life, and the ways our unresolved pasts affect our presents.

    Place a hold online…

     

    Book cover of Much Ado About Nada

    Fiction – Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

    From the Toronto-based romance and women’s fiction author of Ayesha at last and Hana Khan carries on comes a new Jane Austen inspired second chance romance that celebrates the vibrancy of Toronto’s Muslim community.

    Place a hold online…

     

    Book cover of Brown Boy

    Memoir – Brown Boy by Omer Aziz

    A compelling memoir from a first-generation Pakistani-Muslim man who grew up on the outskirts of Toronto. Weaving together his powerful personal narrative with the books and friendships that move him, Aziz wrestles with the contradiction of feeling like an Other and his desire to belong to a Western world that never quite accepted him. 

    Place a hold online…

     

    Book cover of Halal Sex

    Non-Fiction – Halal Sex: The Intimate Lives of Muslim Women in North America by Sheima Benembarek

    An unprecedented glimpse into the sex lives of female and gender-expansive Muslims living across Canada and the United States as recounted to Moroccan Canadian journalist, Sheima Benembarek.

    Place a hold online…

     

    Book cover of Huda F are you?

    Graphic Novel/Memoir – Huda F are you? by Huda Fahmy

    From the creator of Yes, I’m Hot In This, comes a cheeky, hilarious, and honest graphic novel that asks the question everyone has to figure out for themselves: Who are you? From a Michigan based hijab wearing Muslim woman.

    Place a hold online…

     

    Book cover of The Next New Syrian Girl

    Young Adult Fiction – Next New Syrian Girl by Ream Shukairy

    A debut YA novel about the unlikely friendship between two very different Syrian girls, the pressures and expectations of the perfect Syrian daughter, and the repercussions of the Syrian Revolution both at home and abroad from a Syrian American Muslim author born and raised in California.

    Place a hold online…

     

    Book cover of Salma Makes a Home

    Middle Grade Fiction – Salma Makes a Home by Danny Ramadan; illustrated by Anna Bron

    Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series from an award-winning Syrian-Canadian author, activist and public speaker.

    Place a hold online… 

    Book cover of Moon's Ramadan

    Picture Book – Moon’s Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi

    In this debut picture book, an anthropomorphized moon smiles down on Muslims in different countries around the world as the month of Ramadan takes place. Beautifully illustrated, this book does a great job showcasing the diversity of the Muslim population and the different aspects of this Islamic holiday.

    Place a hold online…

     

    Free Tax Clinics

    Free Tax Clinics

    Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), community organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers file tax returns for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. CVITP volunteers use 10 of our 12 branches as drop-off points for tax returns. To see if you are eligible for this service, check under “eligibility criteria” on this page: About free tax clinics – Canada.ca.

    Our local CVITP program is to be commended for their impressive results. In 2022, they completed 1,102 income tax returns, 787 of which were in Huron County. This meant $2.7 million was returned into our local economy. Nearly $900K of which went to parents through the Canada Child Benefit Program.

    All clinics run at the following branches Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. by appointment only. Call or email your local clinic volunteer to schedule an appointment: