Programs and services at community hubs .... September - December 2018 September is Amnesty Month for Students Getting a library card and clearing up your account just got easier! Your library is committed to helping students succeed. We’ve made it easier than ever for students to get a library card. Library cards are now free for all students in elementary, secondary and post secondary school. To make the sign up process easier, students no longer need to provide proof of a Thunder Bay address to get a library card - your home address AETS partnership 2 will be fi ne! We will also be forgiving fi nes for all students during the month of September! Simply return any items that you have checked out on your current card, or arrange to replace the items (by talking to our staff), and all fi nes and other charges will be cleared! And, as long as materials are returned to the Library, even if they are a bit late, there will no late fees for elementary or secondary students going forward. IKC launch 5 We also have student membership packages for local schools. If you’re a teacher or school administrator who wants more information about library membership for your students, please call Ruth at 624-4206 or email her at [email protected] For more information, please visit your neighbourhood community hub library. youth programs 12-16 Get Social with TBPL .... www.tbpl.ca/joinusonline aets partnership Anishinabek Employment and Training Services (AETS) Partnership AETS is an incorporated, not-for-profit organization, In collaboration with Biigtigong Nishnaabeg - Endzhi- celebrating its 21st year as part of a national network gkinoohmaading (Pic River) Private High School, AETS delivering an Indigenous Skills and Employment (ISET) is working co-operatively for the development of a Training Program. The objective of the national pro- skilled workforce through Ontario Secondary School gram and each of the regional agreement holders, is to Diploma credits (Land Based Fall 2018 Course and increase the participation of Indigenous Citizens in the others). Another partnership is with Leadership Thun- Canadian labour market. Within the North Superior Re- der Bay (LTB), for the delivery of an Aboriginal Youth gion, AETS delivers continuing education and training- focused community leadership program. The Dinow- to-employment programs which build capacity for First igehmin – Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program Nation citizens from the following nine communities, will be implemented based on the LTB model within the and sometimes beyond, under special circumstances: framework of the Seven Grandfather Teachings, the • Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon Medicine Wheel, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effec- Ojibway) tive People. The program is designed to contribute • Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Pic River First Nation) to participant’s cultural, spiritual, mental, physical and • Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First emotional well-being. Nation) • Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First A new key partnership is between the Thunder Bay Nation) Public Library (TBPL) and AETS. This partnership will Most of the major facilities renewal, including eight new • Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation) enable AETS to accommodate its continued growth shared computer workstations, is complete at Waverley, • Michipicoten First Nation to empower the Anishinabek, and support the TBPL’s with some final touches expected to be done by mid- • Pays Plat First Nation Community Hub development, decolonization, relation- September. Please visit our website at www.aets.org • Pic Mobert First Nation ship building and facilities renewal at both Waverley for details and feel free to drop by in person to. Note • Red Rock Indian Band and Brodie. This partnership not only helps AETS in that after September 3, AETS is open to the public on the delivery of services, but also serves as an example weekdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The AETS Board of Directors has a vision to develop when it comes to inclusion and reconciliation. We trust the organization through various strategies, including that the recent Waverley renovation will result in an On behalf of the AETS Board of Directors and Staff, enhanced co-operation with local, regional and national experience that enables people to learn, grow and be we’re excited about the move as we settle into the partners. inspired. space. AETS has been graciously welcomed by the TBPL Board of Directors and Staff, and have already undertaken some internal meet and greet activities. AETS is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Library. Miigwech, Library staff and AETS staff have a little fun at a recent meet and greet. John DeGiacomo, Executive Director [email protected] 2 Inspire Grow Connect www.tbpl.ca anti-racism a priority Thunder Bay Anti-Racism and Inclusion Accord Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL), along with ten other TBPL recognizes, accepts and acknowledges that major organizations, signed a Thunder Bay Anti-Racism racism exists in Thunder Bay and at TBPL. Racism is and Inclusion Accord and announced a Coalition that based on power and access to resources. It divides us will commit to establish goals and report on successes and it is unacceptable. Racism is the problem and only a by working together to address racism and discrimina- strong anti-racism response is the answer. tion in our community. As a member of the Thunder Bay Coalition for Anti-Racism and Inclusion, TBPL commits Actions speak louder than words. TBPL is already taking to: action to decolonize the public library. We have entered •address racism against Indigenous and racialized into a partnership of shared power and resources with persons by setting short and long term goals to meet Anishinabek Employment and Training Services (AETS) the Calls to Action or recommendations of the Seven to create a Community Hub at Waverley Library. This First Nations Youth Inquest, the National Inquiry into will include an Elder in Residence and Indigenous Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Knowledge Centre. This demonstrates that, for TBPL, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission decolonization is a conscious act and not a metaphor. • support an ongoing process of truth and reconciliation It is a process of unlearning the settler colonial culture throughout TBPL and in our community by developing and practice of the public library. It is a sharing of space, and maintaining respectful relations with Indigenous power and resources because we are all Treaty people. We will each look inwards at our organizations, led by governments, organizations and individuals And it is a part of the TBPL Anti-Racism response to the communities we serve, to address systemic racism • report on our goals annually, beginning in June 2019 institutional racism. This response will focus on racism and eliminate barriers. As a Coalition we will: against Indigenous people, because that is clearly the • develop and maintain a Thunder Bay Anti-Racism major racism issue in Thunder Bay, but we will also Resource Guide to support the coordination of the address other forms of racism including racism against Accord visible minorities, Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism. • meet our commitments by working collaboratively, We stand together with the other members of this both internally in our organizations and throughout the Coalition to challenge and tackle racism by holding John Pateman, Chief Librarian/CEO community ourselves and each other accountable. [email protected] Pateman’s Picks Your Library Board Board Meetings Warlight by Michael Ondaatje Eleanor Ashe Members of the public are welcome at the monthly Full Disclosure by Beverley McLachlin Joan Duke Library Board meetings. If you have any special needs The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner Carol Grieve, Chair or want more details, please call 684-6803 at least one Calypso by David Sedaris Kathryn Hantjis week prior to the meeting. Lands of Lost Borders Pat Johansen by Kate Harris Margaret MacLean ● September 13 - Waverley Resource Library I Am, I Am, I Am Jane Todd, Vice Chair ● October 11 - Mary J.L. Black Library by Maggie O’Farrell Richard Togman ● November 8 - Mary J.L. Black Library Councillor Joe Virdiramo ● December 13 - Waverley Resource Library John Pateman, Secretary/Treasurer A new Library Board will be appointed by City Council after the municipal election to serve the community from 2019-2022. Interested? Please contact the City Clerk’s office (625-2230) for details on how to apply. www.tbpl.ca Inspire Grow Connect 3 what’s new? Customer Appreciation Day Increase in Library Hours Tuesday, October 16 We are piloting new hours of operation at some of our locations this fall. After Labour Day, the Waverley Waverley ................11 am - 8 pm Resource Library will open a half hour earlier, at Brodie ....................11 am - 8 pm 9:30 am, every day from Monday through Saturday. Mary J.L. Black .....1 pm - 8 pm County Park ..........1 pm - 5:30 pm County Park Branch Library will offer additional hours on Wednesdays. This location will now be open from In celebration of Ontario Public Library Week and 12 pm until 8 pm. Canadian Library Month, please visit any library location to share in refreshments, meet the library staff, Sunday hours have also been changed to 12 pm - 4 pm and update your library card. This is a celebration, at the Brodie and County Park Libraries. complete with door prizes and give-aways! These changes will remain in place from Labour Day Ontario Public Library Week October 14 - 20 until the end of the year while we assess the results. Closed for Staff Development Day Good Food Box Thursday, September 20 County Park and Mary J.L. Black are Good Food Box order and pick-up sites. Boxes vary from month to month but are always fi lled to the brim with a colourful variety of quality All locations of the Library will be closed on Thursday, fresh fruits and vegetables.