Hygge, the Danish word to describe a cozy or special moment is catching on in these parts. It’s a terrific way to endure the long, dark, cold winter months. Wrap yourself in warmth and surround yourself with items that make you happy while enjoying a hot beverage! Or try Fika, a Swedish word that roughly translates to enjoying coffee and cake with a friend. We’ll be trying our hand at Hygge on January 15–aebleskiver, coffee, tea (which is very FIKA), and making our own beeswax candles in a china tea cup. Now doesn’t that sound cozy!
Blessings of the Season…
The spirit of the holidays is upon us and the staff here at Perth East Public Library have been busy with some festive projects. Our student page, Joy, has created this wonderful “Book Tree” which has garnered many compliments and comments.
A few witty patrons have requested one of the titles from the bottom row! However, Joy is way ahead of them and built her tree from withdrawn books — no worries about this turning into a game of Jenga.
How about “Unwrapping a Good Read” over the holidays. Samantha has been busy wrapping books and preparing tags for this fun program. Simply read the synopsis, check out one you like and take it home and unwrap it to reveal a great surprise!
From the Staff here at the library we wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!
The Marvelous Adventure known as “unloading the book drop”…
Many of you have heard the story of Dewey Readmore Books, the cat that was discovered in a library drop box and is now a resident of that library. The strange items discovered in the public library drop box are limitless. In our small-town we have found such things as stuffed animals, money, water gun, oranges, hot chocolate (that was a mess!), coffee cups, leaves, and the list goes on. We consider ourselves fortunate that we have not been the recipients of human waste which is frequently found in many a library drop box!
Taking Book Titles literally…
Hmmmm……looks like someone was eating our copy of “The Tooth Book”. Maybe we can harvest some DNA from the teeth marks and track down the culprit! 
Don’t forget to Vote in our Municipal Election!
Did you know that in Ontario, public libraries are primarily funded by their local government? That is one reason why it is so important to vote to ensure good stewardship of your tax dollars. If you’re undecided on a candidate, check out an All Candidates Night in Shakespeare, Rostock or Milverton.
Shelf Humour
Staff giggles result when “What Happens in Vegas” is shelved right before “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”!
I work with people who hate spiders…
Several co-workers have a huge aversion to spiders (a shriek was heard not fifteen minutes ago as a wee black spider crossed the room). Not having such an aversion, I have sometimes taken on the roll of spider-trapper. I’d like to say I then release them back into their natural habitat but, ummmm….nope.
Since the Brady Bunch vacationed in Hawaii back in the 1970s that has always been a dream destination for me. Who can forget the curse of bad luck they experienced and the tarantula making its way across Peter Brady in bed. I was fortunate enough to visit Hawaii this year and they do indeed have some big spiders there.
Antarctica is the only continent without a spider population. This is good though because spiders eat insects which is beneficial for crop protection. Don’t hate on spiders–we need them!
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs…or is it?
Have you heard the saying “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”? So true! I was thinking how decadent it would be to lie in bed with a good book listening to the rain hit the window as a big rain storm passed through. I hadn’t had a chance to decide on which book I would curl up with when the sun came out and dried up all the rain. So now I will dream about sitting on the porch with the sun on my face while I crack open my new selection…wait–is that thunder I hear in the distance? Oh boy.
Do you have your library card?
Here at PEPL we’ve had a three-month long drive to encourage patrons to bring their library card to every visit. As a staff, we had become somewhat complacent about checking items out to people without their card. Needless to say we are human and thus capable of making mistakes and from time to time an item would be checked out erroneously. I’m pleased that we have had such a high rate of compliancy this week when the policy took effect making a card mandatory for any checkouts. A few die-hards are resistant to bring their card along and for those folks I ask, “Do you go shopping without your credit card, debit card or cash?” By simply presenting your library card, you have access to well over 20,000 physical items. Well worth it!
Dallas’ Donuts
Happy Birthday Dallas! Who is Dallas you ask? Why he is our CEO’s husband and today is his birthday. Dallas is celebrating with delicious DeBrodnik’s Donuts and the PEPL staff is so fortunate to get in on this sweet treat. Life is good surrounded by books and donuts.
