SPRING TOUCH 2019 SUMMER

kpl.org SPRING/SUMMER 2019

2 Grow and Bloom Hello! Thank you for picking up the Spring & Summer 2019 issue of our new, improved In Touch magazine. With this fresh update, we wanted to bring you stories about the donors, volunteers, partners, and library users who help to make a strong part of an incredible community. We’re also highlighting the many ways you use Kitchener Public Library — the things you learn; the programs you attend that make you laugh, or sing, or ask questions; the businesses and cultural ventures you’re creating with support from the library; and — of course — ­ what you enjoy reading! We’d like to thank the following contributors and participants who helped to create this magazine: The Blondes, Jessica Rediker, Joe Martz, the Waterloo Historical Society, William Muir and , Samantha Kristoferson and Emilio Garcia of KW Professional Organizers, Susan Demeter and family, Glodeane Brown, Emily Urquhart, Brett McNeil, Beth Bowles, Paige Bush, and The Community Edition, Lee Brooks and Robin Molloy. You can find a full schedule of all our activities at kpl.org/programs, and look for a printed program guide, published four times a year, in your copy of Active Kitchener magazine. You can also pick up a program guide at any library location and find it online at kpl.org/intouch. As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, we hope In Touch brings you inspiration for all the ways you can grow and bloom with Kitchener Public Library.

Mary Chevreau CEO Kitchener Public Library 11 32 SPRING/SUMMER 2019

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12 28 INSIDE

2 Grow and Bloom 12 Book Pedaler 19 85 Queen 30 Jump In 2018 Fun Facts 4 Spring Forward: 20 Strings Attached 31 Juneyt Plays in a 7 Day Challenge 13 Flummoxed by Space That Feels Your Phone? 22 Grow with Like Home 6 Dog Days These Books 14 Join the Club 32 Moving Image 7 Art & Artists 24 Your 15 School’s Out Neighbourhood 34 Exceprt from 8 Create, Record, for Summer Library 'Why I Wake Early' and Share by Mary Oliver 16 Your Voice, 25 Our Ink, Our Stories 9 Creating Community Your Community 35 Afterword with a 3D Printer 26 Where Everybody 17 Listen Up! Knows Your Name 10 Beyond the Page 18 Fitting in 28 Eyes on the ION 11 Five Faves Giving Back SPRING/SUMMER 2019

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Spring Forward:

Your life is busy and can sometimes feel overwhelming. We want to help you shed those feelings and spring forward with the season. That’s why we asked KW Professional Organizers to come up with seven daily challenges to help you get started. Since 2012, Samantha Kristoferson and Emilio Jose Garcia have been partnering with Kitchener Public Library, generously leading free workshops to share education about everything and anything i Samantha Kristoferson to do with organizing, minimalism, and self care. & Emilio Jose Garcia KW Professional Organizers SOCIAL BODY want to empower you to feel and be your best. Audit your week. Where Meal plan the next 7 days. For Are you ready? Try this are you spending your beginners, start with dinner only. 7 day Challenge —› time? Does your calendar You’ll discover less stress, better match your goals? food, and money saved.

FAMILY MIND You define your family. You can meditate. Make a phone call today Protect 5 minutes for this practice to someone you want to sometime throughout your day. catch up with.

STUFF WORK Let’s declutter a drawer. Time to tidy. Take 30 minutes to Pick a spot: Kitchen, office, create a clear working area for

bedside table. Sort, purge, yourself. Put things away, and Video Tutorials systematize, and enjoy. make room to highlight a favourite We all learn in different ways. photo or piece of art. Some of us are better learners with visuals, some of us with written instructions. That’s GIVING BACK why KW Professional Organizers created video Think of three things you’re tutorials to go along with each grateful for. Afterwards, of the challenges. Want more go out of your way to do For more info on organization, help? Watch the videos here: something selfless. Big or minimalism, and self-care: kwprofessionalorganizers.com/kpl small, you decide. kwprofessionalorganizers.com

o Find Your Why o Soulful Simplicity Check out these books by Simon Sinek by Courtney Carver recommended by Samantha and Emilio (plus one that they wrote!) To keep your momentum going forward. t Organizing for the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

o Minimalist Kitchen by Melissa Coleman o A Recipe for an Extraordinary Life by Emilio Jose Garcia & Samantha Kristoferson o In Gratitude by Jenny Diski SPRING/SUMMER 2019 FEATURED ARTIST – JACQUELINE GORI

Jacqueline Gori’s dog has Gori was able to present saved her life five times Arden with the painting Dog Days since she got him about when they met before four years ago. Trained a Centre in the Square 6 as a support service performance. Artist combines her talent with dog, Samson is a yellow Much of her time, her love for service dogs Labrador retriever who however, is spent on helps calm her symptoms helping to raise funds for of post-traumatic stress non-profit organizations disorder, which include t that work with pets and Jacqueline Gori anxiety, depression, and service dogs. She does this suicide attempts. by planning, collaborating Because Samson has given with authors, and creating her so much, she wants artwork for books. to give back in a way she “My way of coping was to knows how: by creating art. throw myself into a project “I’ve been an artist for that was life-saving, and most of my life. However, life giving,” Gori says. in August 2015, I was “I especially love drawing diagnosed with PTSD. for charity.” It was then my focus She partnered with New went to dogs,” she says. Hamburg author Nancy Gori has drawn hundreds Silcox for the first book of dogs, and one graphite In Service: Portraits of Dogs portrait takes about 20 that Change Lives, published hours to create. She draws last year. Proceeds from every hair on the dog using books sales go to National a full range of graphite Service Dogs. pencils, creating about Projects in the works two commissioned pieces include Workin’ Like A Dog, per month. Do’in Nuthing Like a Cat with She likes to play with the proceeds going to Kali’s dog for about an hour before taking “ I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE DOG GIVES photos that she’ll ME NATURALLY, AND SEE THE JOY use as source material for the THE DOG GIVES ITS OWNER. YOU CAN finished piece. SEE DISTINCT PERSONALITIES.” “I want to see what Wish Cancer Foundation the dog gives me naturally, (a cancer charity for and see the joy the dog pets) and I Love Labs: gives its owner. You can The Cooperslane Legacy, see distinct personalities.” for Canine Support When Passions Collide The only time she did Services, which helps not draw from her own people train their own Portraits by Jacqueline Gori photographs was when service dog. In the Art Gallery at Central Library she painted Jann Arden’s When she’s not working July, 2019 Morkie. Gori was given on commissions, or permission to take it from creating dog portraits her Instagram account. Gori will also demonstrate her techniques for books, Gori operates After posting the finished in the Artist at Work program in July. Art School from project, Arden wrote, her home in Breslau. Details at kpl.org/artist-at-work “It’s just so good.” SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Art & Artists 7 We’ve got new exhibits by talented local artists at Central Library each month. Just drop in during open library hours. The Art Gallery is located on the lower level. You can also meet the artists at their opening reception, and be inspired by artist-at-work demonstrations each month. MARCH JUNE The Eternal in the Now The Raucous Joy of the – Sight and Insight Raven's Call – Art Gallery Paintings and drawings A Rusted Development by Jon Tobin – Theatre Lobby Opening reception: Mixed Media by Chandra Rice Wednesday, March 6, Opening reception: 7 - 8:30 pm Thursday, May 30, 7 - 8:30 pm

APRIL JULY Eavesdropping Paintings by When Passions Collide Isaac Watamaniuk Canine Portraits: Sketches and Opening reception: paintings by Jacqueline Gori Thursday, April 4, Opening reception: 7 - 8:30 pm Thursday, July 4, 6:30 - 8 pm

MAY Kitchener Waterloo AUGUST Society of Artists Members Show Leftie Selfie Opening reception: Alternate-hand drawings and Thursday, May 2, paintings by Meg Leslie 7 - 8:30 pm Opening reception: Thursday, August 1, 6:30 - 8 pm o Vista by Dennis Merchant

CHILDREN’S ART SHOW Central Library Theatre Lobby Gallery, Ages 4 – 12. Bring a drawing or painting into July 13 – September 7 any of our library locations from June 1 - July 6. Meet the Artists: Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 - 8 pm Art pieces will be mounted and displayed.

For more info go to kpl.org/art-exhibits and kpl.org/artist-at-work SPRING/SUMMER 2019

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Create, record,

Heffner Studio continues to evolve and grow, so get ready to get your voice out into the world! Kitchener Public Library is excited to be moving forward with the renovation of its popular media lab, Heffner Studio. This creative area, located on the main level at Central Library, will provide library members with free access to the tools, space and support to create, edit, and share their digital media projects. Virtual reality headsets, 3D printers, 3D scanners, software for coding, audio recording, video editing, digital illustration and more will all be available. Building on the existing success of Heffner Studio, the renovated space will boast four fully equipped, soundproofed recording studios, equipped with iMacs, instruments, recording hardware, and software for recording, editing and sharing original songs and podcasts. We’re busy planning a full schedule of innovative programs, workshops, and artist demonstrations to kick off the launch of the new space. Stay tuned for details on the evolution of this highly anticipated space.

kpl.org/heffnerstudio i Photo by Jesse Maranger SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Creating Community with a 3D Printer 9 As often as two or he’s printed dice that work to get started. Because I how the technology sparks three times a week, for him, with large, high- have the time, I’ve figured creativity and ingenuity in you’ll find Alexander contrast markings that make out ways to streamline the children. Through Alex’s MacNabb in Heffner them easier to see. He’s process,” he says. “I like to own tinkering, he has Studio — the digital created dice in all shapes teach, and I been able to and sizes, including the Iike problem “I LIKE TO TEACH, AND I recommend media lab at Central complex ones required to solving.” LIKE PROBLEM SOLVING.” ways that the Library — designing play Dungeons and Dragons. library can Librarian Kevin Page, and printing items tune the printers so that With all of his experience manager of Heffner Studio, using the 3D printers. customers have higher using the 3D printers, as says Alex is helpful to staff chances of producing A big fan of playing board well as a background as an by recommending ways to quality prints,” Kevin says. games with friends and electrician, Alex has made improve the service so that family, some of the first it his mission to share the customers of all ages get 3D printers are available items Alex created were tips and tricks he’s learned. better, more reliable, prints. on a permanent basis at dice. Why not just buy Central Library and at each “I see mothers and children, “Alex sees the value that them? Alex lives with community library. For grandparents, babysitters 3D printers add to his multiple sclerosis and a beginners, we offer programs with kids, and they want community, specifically related visual disability, and to create simple projects Alex can be very t Alexander MacNabb temperature and humidity sensitive, and sometimes uses a walker, another reason he loves visiting the library on a regular basis. “In the summer, the air conditioning saves me. In the winter, the sidewalks and ramps are always clear. It’s a place for me to get out of the house, so my wife and I can each have some space. It’s something for me to focus on.”

Are you looking for a place to explore, create, and edit using new digital media tools?

Check out what we have to offer at kpl.org/heffnerstudio SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Beyond the Page 10 Kitchener Public Library book clubs are a good way to meet people with common interests and dig deeper into your latest great read! New members are always welcome, and you can attend as many or as few meetings as you like. We hope to see you soon! Central Library Coffee and Crime, Wednesdays @ 10 am Grand Reads, Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm March 6 – Force of Nature by Jane Harper March 20 – The Alice Network by Kate Quinn April 3 – Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger April 17 – The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah May 1 – IQ by Joe Ide May 15 – Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee June 5 – T he Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks June 19 – Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline & Sarah Pekkanen July 17 – Wonder by R.J. Palacio July 3 – The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham Aug 21 – Birdie by Tracey Lindberg August 7 – I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara Central Library Reading Central, Wednesdays @ 7 pm March 13 – Shelter by Jung Yun April 10 – This is Not My Life by Diane Schoemperlan May 15 – Women Talking by Miriam Toews June 12 – Great Alone by Kristin Hannah July 10 – Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain August – No book club Country Hills Modern Classics, Tuesdays @ 10 am March 26 – Birdie by Tracey Lindberg April 30 – The Giver by Lois Lowry May 28 – Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward June 25 – Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett July 30 – Fun Home by Alison Bechdel August 27 – The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

“Reading brings us unknown friends” – Honoré de Balzac

For more details and to register, go to kpl.org/book-clubs FEATURE – GLODEANE BROWN SPRING/SUMMER 2019

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o Glodeane Brown, photo by Jessica Rediker

t Flux, Five photos by Joe Martz Glodeane Brown is a local writer and arts advocate who started the popular Culture Fancier blog in 2016. In a past life, she was an interior designer. She’s a board member of CAFKA (Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area) and is currently a student at Humber College earning a graduate certificate in Arts Administration & Cultural Management. You can read her work at www.culturefancier.com. Here are five of her favourite things:

Q Favourite recent read, Q Favourite local festival or event: watch or listen: A I'm biased, but I'm going to A Black Girls Rock!: Owning Our say CAFKA. It's free, it's fun, it's Magic. Rocking Our Truth. Edited educational, and it brings the by Beverly Bond community together. Plus, it's for the Super inspiring stories and gorgeous whole month of June. Hello, summer. photographs of powerful, inspiring black women. I originally borrowed Q Favourite thing to do at the library: it from the library but I'm actually going to buy two copies. One to A Where to start? I love exploring highlight and make notes in, and the art exhibitions and attending another for the coffee table. panels and talks. Also, looking at Flux never gets old. Q Favourite food: Q Favourite things to do on a day off: A I enjoy a good vegan burger. A Catching up with friends, catching up on my never-ending reading list, enjoying live music, or going to an art event.

Check it out: Black Girls Rock! Edited by Beverly Bond SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Inaugural City of Kitchener Book Pedaler visit Bike Fest 12 2018 Fun Facts We'll be riding our new library bike and book trailer to community locations and events across the city in the summer Grand River Stanley Park Farthest of 2019. You’ll find us at Bike Fest, Victoria Park, and more! branch – 10.3 km round trip trip

KW Art Gallery – Most 700 metres round trip Shortest frequent trip destination

Victoria Park – Locations Parks, festivals, 9 visits (not counting visited porch festivals, cycling through the park trivia contests, en route to other destinations) and more Worst hill Benton Street cycled from Charles Street to St. George Street Have we met? FAQ’s Most frequently heard questions: We might have met you at Neighbours Day, the Ontario “You’re with KPL?!?” Street Block Party, Schneider Creek Porch Party, or Kidspark or “Is it hard to ride up hills?” (Answers: Yes! and Yes!)

Stay tuned to kpl.org for more location updates.

Would you like the Book Pedaler to visit your next community event? Email [email protected] with the subject line "Book Pedaler." Please be sure to include: • The event name • Date, time, and location of the event • Information about the event • Contact name, phone number and email address For more information, go to kpl.org/book-pedaler SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Inaugural City of Kitchener visit Bike Fest Flummoxed 13

Tech Tutors is a multi-generational community learning experience. Grand River Stanley Park Farthest Our group of friendly, engaged volunteers work at some of the top tech branch – 10.3 km round trip trip companies in Waterloo Region. Some are newcomers gaining experience for their résumé, or young professionals adding to their experience, and all are engaged community members who want to give back. They’ve helped KW Art Gallery – Tech Tutor participants: Most 700 metres round trip Shortest • Learn Excel • Set up a candidate frequent trip website for destination • Set up a FitBit a local election • Save precious Victoria Park – Locations Parks, festivals, • Search for family photos 9 visits (not counting visited porch festivals, jobs online from a device cycling through the park trivia contests, en route to other destinations) and more This year we’ve partnered with a local app By the numbers Worst called Epoch, which connects local tech hill Benton Street companies with volunteer opportunities cycled from Charles years of in the community. It’s been a great way to Street to St. Tech Tutors promote the library to young professionals 4 George Street who haven’t been to the library since they Have were a child, as well as a meaningful way we met? FAQ’s volunteers Most frequently for people to connect with a volunteer 9 heard questions: experience without a full commitment. “You’re with KPL?!?” It’s like speed dating for volunteering! We might have met you at Neighbours Day, the Ontario learning Street Block Party, Schneider Creek Porch Party, or Kidspark or “Is it hard to ride “The best stories I have from Tech Tutors 1-ON-1 up hills?” (Answers: involve helping seniors with communicative Yes! and Yes!) technologies. When a senior comes to people who get Tech Tutors to learn about using Facebook, 200+ help every month email, instant messaging, or Skype, after teaching them the basics, we help reunite them with loved ones from around the world whom they have not seen in a long time. We’ve also shown them the power NEED A TECH TUTOR? of the internet, such as being able to read Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm and watch the news in their home country. Central Library, 85 Queen St. N. I helped a woman in her mid-80s access the news from her home country of Brazil, Just drop in, no registration required! which allowed her to ‘re-visit’ the country after many years of not being able to return home, or even read media in her own native language.” – ANTHONY TRINH, VOLUNTEER For more info go to epochapp.com SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Join the Club 14 Every afternoon from Monday to Thursday we offer After School Clubs that give kids in Grades 4 to 8 a place to relax, hang out with friends, game, create, build, and play drama games. Maker’s Club Builder’s Club We bring out all of our craft supplies We bring out building and robotics and give kids the chance to create materials that provide endless hours whatever they want. They also have of creative fun for kids who like to the opportunity to learn new skills tinker with technical challenges. like knitting, sewing, folding origami, sculpting, and much more. Drama Club For actors, improvisers, and kids who Gamer’s Club just want to explore performing or build We provide laptops and set up confidence, this is a fun place to try out our gaming consoles so that kids different characters, play drama games can game together with their friends. and make new friends.

As with all of our programs, the clubs are free and no experience is required!

For more information about our After School Clubs and hundreds of other children’s programs, go to kpl.org/signup SPRING/SUMMER 2019

School’s Out 15

Using your library doesn’t mean being cooped up inside all summer. Our summer programs and events are designed to get kids and teens active and inspired wherever they are: whether that’s at the library, with their friends, or in their community. TD Summer Teen Summer Reading Club Challenge 2019: Natural Submit creative photos of completed challenges o Photo by World created by our (You)th Veronica L. This summer, the TD Advisory Council for a Summer Reading Club chance to win awesome invites you to unplug and prizes all summer long! take a moment to explore You can finish these the stories and science of challenges anywhere and nature through adventure submit the entries online. and play. Join the club, track Plus, each entry earns you your summer reading and a ballot into our grand prize participate in our awesome draw of a Best Buy gift card. uPhoto by “Some of the best memories are programs! The first day to Muhammad Q. For more info go to made in flip-flops.” Kellie Elmore sign up at all KPL locations youthkpl.weebly.com tPhoto by is Thursday, June 27. Mikayla F. Kidspark Teen Summer Volunteer Sunday, August 18 @ Victoria Park Opportunities Save the date and join Over the summer months, us for Kidspark, a free we need help with Reading family festival. Hands-on Buddies, Summer Reading fun including sports Club, and shelf reading. activities, live music This is a great way to meet performances, bouncy people and fulfill your castles, arts and crafts, community service hours! science demonstrations and more. Let your For more info go to imagination run wild! kpl.org/volunteer/opportunities

All (You)th photos were submitted by local Go to kpl.org/programs for our full daily youth for the 2018 Teen Summer Challenge. schedule of activities SPRING/SUMMER 2019

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Photo by Imaan M. Your Voice, Your Community (You)th A virtual connection between the youth of Kitchener, their library, and their community that focuses on youth-created content and volunteer opportunities. Check out reviews on podcasts, TV shows, and more by our (You)th Reviewers, plus original art and amazing photography created by our Photo by Nelaab A. (You)th Artists in Residence at the links below! @youth.kpl Youthkpl.weebly.com

(You)th Profile "I think way too much, that is safe to say. My mind never shuts off and I often lose myself trying to understand myself. As unique and beautiful as my understanding of everything is, I will never completely understand others or how they understand, just as they will never of me. I don't just mean the perceived intention of things, but how they perceive everything. Reading, listening to podcasts, watching shows or movies calms my mind, and reviewing what I experience allows me to better understand my own perception. I share this perception in hopes that others may understand my views. This platform has been incredible for this, and I love being a part of a community that understands a bit more." – THOMAS S., (YOU)TH REVIEWER

All (You)th photos were submitted by local youth for the 2018 Teen Summer Challenge. Photo by Imaan M. FEATURE – EMILY URQUHART SPRING/SUMMER 2019 Listen 17 Whether you’re new to listening to podcasts, or a huge fan who just needs to talk about your favourite episodes, For more on the Dorothy Shoemaker Prose Emily Urquhart can help. and Podcasting awards: kpl.org/ She’s the host of our podcast dorothyshoemaker club, the judge of our Dorothy Q What do you think the Shoemaker Podcasting and best podcasts bring to Prose Contest, and an award- the art of storytelling? winning writer and folklorist. Check it out: A The best podcasts Beyond the Pale

create a link between by Emily Urquhart Q What are your you (the audience) and t favourite podcasts? the story, making you care Emily Urquhart. so deeply that you simply Photos by Jessica Rediker A My favourites are what can't turn away. It's that I like to call ‘tell me a story’ link that I'm always chasing podcasts. I want a narrative. as a listener. When this I want a beginning, middle happens, it's magic. and end. The podcasts that do this best can be serialized, like Someone Knows Something, or S-Town, but others can tell a Q Which podcast would satisfying story in one episode, you recommend for a as with This American Life, complete beginner? Radiolab, Invisibilia, Modern A You could start where Love, The Memory Palace, I did: This American Life. 99 % Invisible and Jonathan Alternatively, CBC has a Goldstein’s bizarre and great show called Podcast wonderful Heavyweight, to Playlist that gives you a name a few. I also like to learn taste of a variety of podcasts. but sometimes you need to (A member of the KPL Podcast trick me with your witty Club recommended this show banter — here’s looking at to me — Thanks Karen!) you, Secret Life of Canada!

Q Any podcast pet peeves? Q How and when do you listen? A I can’t listen to unedited A I am generally tackling podcasts. Listening to housework when I listen. the entire audio file from Podcasts are the bright spots an interview or to the in my endless laundry cycle. host’s unfiltered musings Sometimes it’s a more communal on life can be unbearable. experience. On family road Podcasting is an art, and trips we listen to kid-friendly like all arts, you must shows like Six Minutes, The work to polish it into Unexplainable Disappearance its best form. of Mars Patel, Becoming Mother Nature, and on our next trip we’re going to try the new kids show from CBC, Tai Asks Why. SPRING/SUMMER 2019 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT – BRETT MCNEIL Fitting in Giving Back 18 As a young professional with a busy career, Brett McNeil knew he wanted to give back to his community, but worried that he wouldn’t be able to commit to a long-term volunteer position. Brett works as a co-ordinator of network relations and programs for the Canadian Digital Media Network, a Communitech initiative. He also has his own branding and lifestyle website — bhaus.ca — and an active social life. That’s why Reading Buddies turned out to be the perfect opportunity for him to share his time. Reading Buddies pairs adults and teens with early readers for reading practice and literacy activities. The group meets in the evening once a week for an hour, and each session runs for about 8 weeks. Volunteers can choose a seasonal session that fits best with their personal and professional life, and take a few months off before signing up again. “It’s exactly one hour, once a week, and you get to help mold a kid’s brain. How cool is that?” Brett says. He works downtown and lives in mid-town, so location was also a factor. It’s just a 10-minute walk from work to Central Library for him, but Reading Buddies is offered at all five Kitchener Public Library locations, so it’s convenient both for volunteers and for parents and caregivers who are bringing their children to the program. Brett found out about Reading Buddies through Pitch In, a Communitech event where tech leaders “pitch” volunteer opportunities to the audience on behalf of “ It’s exactly one hour, local non-profit organizations. once a week, and you (Thanks to Calvin Chu, founder get to help mold a kid’s and CEO of Palette Gear, who pitched on the library’s behalf!) brain. How cool is that?” “What I was super thrilled to see was a diverse group of children,” Brett says. “Some kids would power through a book, and some were just learning how to read.” “I got a sense of accomplishment from volunteering, and the kids get a sense of accomplishment too. When it ended, one of the kids asked if I was coming back. To know I’d made an impression on a kid I was helping? That’s rewarding.”

i Brett McNeil, photo by Jessica Rediker To find the right opportunity for you, go to kpl.org/volunteer/opportunities SPRING/SUMMER 2019

o t Musician Hawksley Workman, author of the book 19 Almost a Full Moon, photos by Will Muir

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t A community performance Queen of Karma Chameleon with Choir! Choir! Choir! See the full performance on our YouTube Magical performances by famous channel, photo by Jesse Maranger Canadian singer-songwriters. Intimate interviews with some of the best authors from Canada and the U.S. Important conversations on everything from racism in our community to the ethics and challenges of artificial intelligence. 85 QUEEN is our premiere series at Central Library.

Don’t miss our biggest, best events. Go to kpl.org/85queen to see what’s coming next!

t Musician Tom Wilson, (formerly of Junkhouse and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings) author of the book Beautiful Scars, photo by Will Muir

o Musicians Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson of the Skydiggers, photo by Will Muir SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Strings 20 A donation of 50 ukuleles will see mic night at Boomers, became involved threads of music running throughout in musical theatre, and volunteered at the community for years to come. St. John’s Kitchen. t John Demeter was a John Demeter loved playing guitar, collecting Through his love of vintage guitars, generous volunteer and guitars, and encouraging others to play. he also had a friendship with Bob Egan, accomplished musician. But after he passed away in 2016, manager of community development at his family found a Kitchener Public Library. "My hope for the ukulele way to make sure that So when Susan and her John’s spirit lives on program is to bring people children Steven and Jessica in music that is being together to explore, learn and decided they wanted to heard throughout our have fun through music." memorialize John’s life community today. meaningfully, and through “He was quite an accomplished guitarist,” music, they made a generous donation to says his wife, Susan Demeter. John, who KPL for the purchase of 50 new ukuleles. owned The Carpet Store, was active in the They’re now being used in beginner music local music scene, playing for the bands lessons for both children and adults, at Blue Devils and Lucky Dog. He ran an open various library locations. Jack Stevens and Calvin Mills are both earning a bachelor’s degree in community music at Wilfrid Laurier University, and led a four-week ukulele workshop at Central Library. “It was nice to see both the parents and their kids enjoying learning and creating music together,” says Calvin.

o Jack Stevens and Calvin Mills teach ukulele to beginners at Central Library.

Check it out:

To find ukulele programming Borrow an instrument, including ukuleles, guitars, violins, keyboards, (no experience necessary!), check drums and more from the Sun Life Musical Instrument Lending Library: our calendar: kpl.org/signup kpl.org/instruments “It was such an amazing experience for both of us,” Jack says. "There is no greater feeling as a facilitator than seeing someone succeed. Everyone worked so hard, and I’m so happy we had the opportunity to do this.” Some sessions of ukulele lessons end with a performance or singalong. Beginner players from the library have performed at Sunnyside Home and the Village of Winston Park. It’s a new initiative, and one that will grow over time. “My hope for the ukulele program is to bring people together to explore, learn and have fun through music. There is something quite magical about 20 ukulele players all playing together,” Bob says. “My blue-sky dream is to create a ukulele choir of 50 to 100 people that gather to bring musical celebrations to all corners of the community — nursing homes, hospitals, schools, soup kitchens and civic events.” Susan said this kind of ripple effect is exactly what John would have wanted to see. “Ukuleles are simpler for beginners to learn,” she says. “He’d be so excited. During his last five years, he did a lot of charity work. He loved helping people. We didn’t even know about a lot of it, until people told us at his funeral.” We’re grateful to the Demeter family u The Demeter for this generous donation, and for the family wanted impact it will have in spreading music to celebrate the and joy throughout the community. life of husband, father, and grandfather John.

To find out how your donation can make a difference: kpl.org/donate SPRING/SUMMER 2019 Grow with 22 These Books Come alive with these books, audiobooks, movies and albums. u Utopia Want more recommendations? Album by Björk Go to kpl.org for more suggestions.

t t Bangkok Wakes To The Adulterants, Rain, Novel by Pitchaya Novel by Joe Dunthorne Sudbanthad

i Small Fry, Memoir i Crazy Rich Asians, Film by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

t The Care and Feeding of t The Hundred Wells of Ravenously Hungry Girls, Salaga, Novel by Ayesha Novel by Anissa Gray Harruna Attah

i i Bowlaway, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Novel by Elizabeth Biography by Andrea McCracken Warner SPRING/SUMMER 2019

t The Spirit Almanac: t The Bold World, A Modern Guide to Ancient Memoir by Jodie Self-Care, Book by Emma Loewe Patterson & Lindsay Kellner 23

i She Would Be King, i A Story From Chikamatsu Audiobook by Film by Kenji Mizoguchi Watéyu Moore

t t A Year of Embroidery, The Happiest Book Ever, Book by Yumiko Higuchi Children's Book by Bob Shea

i Epic Hikes of the World (Lonely Planet), i The River, Peter Heller Book by Alex Crevar

t Green, Novel by Sam Graham-Felsen t The Familiars, Novel by Stacey Halls

i i Era of Ignition, Sr3mm, Biography by Amber Album by Rae Sremmurd Tamblyn SPRING/SUMMER 2019 Spotlight on a branch Your 24 Considering its size, the Forest Heights Community Library sure packs a punch! Built Neighbourhood in 1976, this neighbourhood branch is one of the smallest, but continues to be one of the busiest, with about 17,000 visitors each month, borrowing 28,000 items!

We are very proud of The KPL Kids programs French Immersion Tutors is Heights Community Library strong partnerships with allows us to take the library a unique program; bilingual is committed to supporting our neighbours at Forest out into our community. volunteers help students digital literacy. Along with Heights Pool, Forest Heights We connect with kids with vocabulary, reading, computer access, wireless Community Centre, and aged 5 – 11 at Forest math, homework and more. connectivity, printing Forest Heights Collegiate Heights Community Centre During English Conversation and scanning services, Institute. for a weekly evening of Circles, volunteers engage customers may borrow crafts and fun. with newcomers, practising iPads and MacBooks to Together with the City English skills while talking, use in the library. And we of Kitchener and Forest We regularly welcome our listening, learning, and now have a 3D printer Heights pool, we offer neighbouring Forest Heights laughing about life in permanently installed and Active Adults, a morning Collegiate Institute students, Canada. Forest Heights ready for you to use, no of body and mind fitness and each year the visual arts Library also offers well experience necessary! for adults ages 50+. students showcase their — attended board game Participants enjoy an aquafit creative book sculptures in Last year, Forest Heights evenings. It’s heartening class, then learn something the library during Freedom library got a much-needed to see how playing games new each week — from to Read Week. interior makeover. If you brings generations together! travel to computer security, haven’t visited us in a Dedicated volunteers allow health topics, and more, at a In addition to collections while, or are new to the us to expand our offerings. library presentation. and programs, Forest neighbourhood, please drop by. We’d love to meet you.

By the numbers 7,873 people have attended an Active Adults program at Forest Heights in the past 10 years.

Forest Heights Community Library 251 Fischer-Hallman Road kpl.org/fh

o Forest Heights Community Library SPRING/SUMMER 2019 Our Ink, Our Stories 25

Libraries are spaces full of stories: not just the books, movies, and music on our shelves, but the stories our customers carry with them. Every once in while we glimpse an individual’s inner world from a tattoo on a shoulder, ankle, or arm and wonder: what’s the story behind that? We partnered with The Community Edition to share your ink, and your stories. Here’s just one of them. Craig and Parker By Beth Bowles Kitchener resident Craig Sears’ entire arm is covered in his seven-year-old son Parker’s drawings. This isn’t a case of a child on the loose with permanent markers; from Sears’ shoulder to his wrist, Parker’s drawings are tattooed on his skin — Sears’ way of communicating to his son that he will i Craig & Parker Sears always love and support him. Last year, Parker was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The diagnosis offered a lot of answers to unanswered questions, and gave Sears the opportunity to reframe the methods he chose to connect with his son. “I’m glad we got this diagnosed so soon, because now I can understand him,” Sears said. That’s where the idea for the tattoos came from. Sears explained that all over his house, Parker has taped up pictures that he’s constantly drawing. It’s those pictures that Sears has tattooed all over his arm, done by Cam Davis of Berlin Tattoo in Kitchener. Sears hopes the tattoos will act as a way to show Parker how much he loves him and how important it is to him that the two connect in a way that Parker knows how. “I think we all [have to] take a good long look at ourselves and realize that there’s more behind the picture of people.” This interview has been edited and condensed.

Check out more tattoo stories at OurInkOurStories.com and watch for a special exhibit coming up at Central Library in May

io Photos by Paige Bush SPRING/SUMMER 2019

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Where Knows Your Name Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. is an inclusive community space (with good beer!) Shelves stacked high with board “He had a whole business plan for games. A couple of toddlers dancing a brewery done and in a drawer as the band warms up. An older before we even met,” Lee says. couple holding hands as they sit In 2012, the couple left their across from each other at a picnic jobs and moved to the (original) table. Groups of young professionals Berlin in Germany so Robin could playing trivia or music bingo. become a certified brewmaster These are just a few of the scenes at VLB Berlin, an institute that you might see as you step inside was founded in 1883. Descendants Beer and Beverage on Victoria Street North. After returning to Canada, they did contract brewing while they “We’ve never wanted to be exclusive searched for the perfect space. and just for beer snobs,” says It wasn’t easy to find, and it wasn’t co-owner Lee Brooks. “We’ve always easy to create the warm, lively thought of it as a community space.” venue you see today. They started Lee and her husband Robin Molloy by spending 10 days jackhammering opened the brewery in 2016. Before out the old cement floor to replace it. that, she was a special ed teacher At that time, their son was just three and he worked in a bank. But Robin years old, and was often at work had a dream. SPRING/SUMMER 2019

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with them. Running a business as Library for the first time, for a Book Pedaler trailer and take a family led organically to it being fundraiser. Since then, they’ve set part in trivia nights. an inclusive space where everyone up and served their award-winning “KPL events are a priority. We feels welcome. brews for several big music, author like that it’s a community hub. and cultural events “It’s an extension of You inviting us in — you’re offering "It’s an extension of at Central Library. our lives, and the way even more to people. They can we live our lives,” Lee says. our lives, and the way It’s not something go to the library, see a musician they do to make like Hawksley Workman or Ron Descendants is a full- we live our lives" money. “We look Sexsmith, have a beer, and pick service restaurant and retail store as at events as a partnership. It’s not up some books,” she says. well as an online shop, selling their just marketing and promotion.” three core craft beers: Harbinger, “I think with technology, and El Buscador, and Reynard the Fox, as Lee says the focus for most of isolation, it’s important to have well as seasonal and one-off brews. the events they attend outside spaces like KPL and Descendants “We’re not chasing trends. It’s not their doors is on local non-profits. that offer more than one thing. who we are, it’s not what we do.” They look for symbiotic partnerships You need that to draw people with a purpose. In the summer, out of their houses.” Also in 2016, Descendants created librarians have been known to cycle a pop-up bar at Kitchener Public descendantsbeer.com over to Descendants with the KPL

Check it out:

t The Comic Book Story of Beer, t Drink Beer Think Jonathan Hennessy Beer, John Holl and Mike Smith

i National Geographic i Will Travel for i The Brewer’s Tale, Atlas of Beer, Nancy Beer, Stephen William Bostwick Hoalst-Pullen & Beaumont Mark W. Patterson SPRING/SUMMER 2019

This spring, Waterloo Region is set to launch its most ambitious public transit project in history. Here’s a look back at where we’ve Eyes on come from, starting with a horse named Joe. 28 the Ion Photos courtesy of Waterloo Historical Society 1935 Private bus company granted license to operate u Two streetcars on King Street West, looking crosstown bus services in towards Ontario Street, Berlin, 1907 September; area of Duke and Frederick streets used as a central terminal 1888 1st ceremonial spikes for street 1939 PUC Transportation railway line struck by mayors of Berlin launches crosstown bus and Waterloo on June 30 for the Berlin service on 4 routes on & Waterloo Street Railway May 1; comfort station 1889 Construction starts in August on and City Hall square a single track laid down King Street from became bus terminal Waterloo to Berlin; shipment of 6 street 1940 Bridgeport trains cars arrive by rail; Harry U. Clemens was replaced by bus service the driver of the first horse-drawn street on June 1 car. Horse was named Joe.

1888 1940

o Horse drawn streetcar, Berlin, 1889

u 1895 First electric street railway car Double street railway rolled down King Street on May 18 tracks being 1903 Preston & Berlin Electric Street laid on King Street, looking Railway begins operation from Preston west from to Albert Street station on Feb. 5; Queen, prior allowed to run trains up King St. as to paving, in far as Water St. for a monthly fee Berlin, 1910 1911 Hydroelectricity replaces steam generated electricity for o Berlin & Waterloo street railway system on Apr. 1 Street Railway Royal Mail car #10 on King 1925 Kitchener Public Utilities Street, Berlin, 1905. Commission (PUC, formerly Light Conductors in uniform Commission) begins investigation are visible on of crosstown bus service to the streetcar augment street railway SPRING/SUMMER 2019

o Streetcar at the intersection of King and Queen Streets, Kitchener, 1940

29 2000 Region of Waterloo assumes the transit operations of Kitchener and Cambridge, under

2005 iXpress service launched, connecting Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo along King Street corridor

2011 Region of Waterloo council approves light rail 1941 Gas rationing and other wartime measures curtail transit plan on June 15 rail-to-bus conversion plans 2014 Light rail transit construction begins on Aug. 21

1945 Decision made to replace street railway with 2015 ION bus rapid transit service begins, covering trolley coaches on Aug. 23; new service to start 17 kilometers between Fairview Mall and Ainslie Street Jan. 1, 1947; deterioration of street railway stock, Terminal in Cambridge expensive maintenance and difficulty with parts replacement cited as reasons for conversion 2016 Discovery of old corduroy road under King Street North in Uptown Waterloo on March 14 1946 Street railway system paralyzed by severe ice storm on Dec. 27; dead cars pushed or towed 2017 First LRT vehicle from Bombardier arrives to Kitchener Junction yard at ION operations facility in Waterloo on Feb. 27

1946 2015 2019

1947 Trolley coach service starts on Jan. 1; 2018 LRT tracks completed and testing begins free rides for the day 2019 Full ION service is launched! 1973 City of Kitchener (Kitchener Transit) assumes operation of PUC Transportation services on Jan. 1 1973 Trolley coach service ends on March 26; Save the date: diesel buses introduced The annual Genealogy Fair is being held at 1974 Central transit terminal opens on lower Central Library on Saturday November 2nd. floor of revenue building at Duke and Frederick More info: kpl.org/genealogy-fair streets in September

1975 Construction begins on Strasburg Road transit centre in Nov; new facility opens November, 1976

1988 Construction begins on Charles Street transit terminal; new facility opens on Oct. 14, 1988 u Trolley bus on King Street East, Kitchener, 1954

Visit your local library for more information, or go to kpl.org or go to information, more for library local your Visit donate donate suggest a purchase suggest a program suggest lead a workshop volunteer perform for Music in the Lounge Music in the Lounge for perform piano on our grand practise or event a program attend speaker a guest become be a youth reviewer or artist-in-residence reviewer be a youth something in Heffner Studio create as an artist-at-work demonstrate join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram Facebook, on Twitter, join the conversation Contest Photo Record Region the KPL/Waterloo enter needs or non-profit business your for a room rent art in the Art your Gallery at Central exhibit visit us and bring your friends, family members or neighbours members friends, family visit us and bring your contest & Prose Podcasting Shoemaker the Dorothy enter

With five library locations and plenty of ways to join us, being a to join ways of locations and plenty library five With is easier than ever. community Library part Public of the Kitchener Jump In Jump

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 30 PROFILE – LOCAL MUSICIAN SPRING/SUMMER 2019

u Juneyt Juneyt Plays Yetkiner in a Space 31

On a grey-sky weekday afternoon, Juneyt Yetkiner plays flamenco guitar for an attentive audience in the Reading Lounge at Central Library. “I love playing here. It’s one of the most intimate concerts,” he says. “I saw a woman in the audience crying. Obviously we’re connecting; it’s like you’re one-on-one with people.” Music in the Lounge features free, live performances by talented musicians, and all ages are welcome to attend. “I had to improve my English as much as I could. Guest performers have included Jesse Parent, Lynn So I read a lot of computer books. And Harry Potter.” Jackson, JoJo Worthington, Amy & Dominic Dinino, Juneyt went on to earn two diplomas in computer and Traces Steel Drum Band. programming and applications from Conestoga College, After Juneyt’s performance, he packs up his gear and heads and also attended the University of Waterloo, and downstairs to chat with a group of newcomers who are worked at RIM, Apple, and in banking. attending an English Conversation Circle about his own Now he’s a critically acclaimed and award-winning experiences as a newcomer to Canada. full-time musician. He’s worked with famed classical He arrived in Kitchener from Turkey in 1999. Originally, he guitarist Liona Boyd, and travelled in Europe, slept in a shelter, which closed during the day. During that Asia, and North and South America performing time, and when he later moved into a basement apartment, at various festivals. the library was a light-filled refuge for him. In 2017 he won Toronto Independent Music awards in “I was here daily. Sometimes twice a day. I felt safe here,” the Best Instrumental and Best Classical categories, he says. “Nobody judged you at the public library. Nobody and is a regular favourite in the Record Reader’s pushed you out.” Choice Awards. He also regularly volunteers with local non-profit organizations. Juneyt would listen to music (the Gypsy Kings were a favourite) and get lost in books as he prepared to attend “I love this country so much,” he says. post-secondary education. “I wish I could do more.”

Borrow an instrument Live performances Juneyt didn’t start playing guitar until he was Join us for Music in the Lounge, regular 18 years old. It’s never too late to learn something live performances by talented musicians. new! You can borrow an instrument for free from No registration required; just drop in. the Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library at KPL. More info: kpl.org/live More info: kpl.org/instruments Check it out: Juneyt: Passion + Music SPRING/SUMMER 2019

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Moving Image From breaking news to you, in minutes.

It’s mid-day on a Tuesday on their location, as news system which contains all 1,000 photos each day, and the pieces of the next happens throughout the day. pieces including the story, including staff photos, daily edition of the Waterloo Assignments are allocated photograph and graphics. wire-service photos, and Region Record are starting the night before, but if a social media feeds. “It allows us to plan both to come together. photographer is closer print and website at the For 13 years, the Waterloo to a breaking news story After climbing wooden same time,” he says. Region Record and and is sent there, another stairs from the Record’s Kitchener Public Library photographer will need to A photograph may be lobby, Rod Frketich takes have partnered to operate take over his assignment. published to the website time out of his busy day to a community-wide contest within 10 minutes of being chat about his role as the “That’s the rush part. I may for amateur photographers. sent from the photographer. newspaper’s photo editor. say ‘I need you there in Frketich and his staff The website is updated with 10 minutes,’” Frketich says. recently judged nearly Putting the paper together news as soon as it comes in. 1,000 entries, choosing is like a working a giant After shooting the assignment, Larger feature assignments three winners and one or jigsaw puzzle, says Frketich, the photographer sits in his are worked on in between two honourable mentions who has worked there car or a coffee shop, edits breaking news, without the in each of four categories. since 2007. his photos and then emails strict deadlines. the best two or three shots On this day, like every to Frketich. “If the best photo doesn’t other, Frketich’s job is to fit in, we may need to move move the Record’s three The photo editor then the story to where the photo staff photographers, chooses which photo to has more play,” said Frketich shifting them to different use and uploads it to a who looks at approximately o assignments depending content management Rod Frketich SPRING/SUMMER 2019

33 5 TIPS FOR o Photo by Brooke Robinson BETTER PHOTOS 1 Cropping Take the time to crop photos to give it a focal point and better composition. Cropping is often necessary. u Photo by 2 Depth of Field Kim Barnes Pay attention to the background. A background t Photo by should be enhanced or minimized depending Murray Leis how it fits into a photo. A photographer may want to blur out the background, or have it in focus. For example, a winding staircase may be best if entirely in focus. For a portrait, however, the photographer may want to blur out the background.“A bad background can destroy a good photo really quickly,” Frketich says. 3 Light Be aware of the light. “See the light and where it’s coming from and where it falls on a subject, the part you’re trying to emphasize. With photography, you’re painting with light, so it’s to your advantage to see where the light is coming from.” 4 Framing PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST Good framing, using some sort of compositional Awards Ceremony element such as a tree branch in the foreground, will focus the eye onto the subject, Frketich says. Public unveiling of the winning photographs, with commentary and award presentation by Rod Frketich Monday, April 1 at 7 pm, Central Library 5 Always have a camera A photo exhibit of winning images will be displayed at Always have a camera handy so that if you see Central Library for the month of April. In May, they will something, the camera is available. Frketich be moved to ’s Berlin Tower ARTspace. always travels with a camera. He shoots mostly for enjoyment, but publishes one or two in the For more info go to kpl.org/photocontest Record each month. SPRING/SUMMER 2019

34 Hello, sun in my face Hello, you who made the morning and spread it over the fields and into the faces from 'Why I Wake Early' of the tulips by Mary Oliver SPRING/SUMMER 2019 Afterword 35

“ There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” Artist Henri Matisse

“ I could bring my favourite flower. Maybe yours would be the same” Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell

“ You can cut all the “Unless you flowers but you cannot are here: this keep spring from garden refuses coming.” to exist.” Poet Pablo Neruda Poet Aberjhani

"She wore flowers in her “ Where flowers bloom, hair and carried magic so does hope.” secrets in her eyes.” Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady Author Arundhati Roy

“In the spring, at the “ Plant a garden in which strange end of the day, you plants grow and mysteries bloom.” should smell like dirt.” Author Ken Kesey Author Margaret Atwood

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." Poet Theodore Roethke kpl.org

KPL NEAR YOU: Central Library 85 Queen St. N. Country Hills Community Library 1500 Block Line Rd. Forest Heights Community Library 251 Fischer-Hallman Rd. Grand River Community Library 175 Indian Rd. Pioneer Park Community Library 150 Pioneer Dr.