News from Ruth E. Dickinson - your local library branch
Celebrating Black History Month at the Library
February is Black History Month! Across Canada and in other countries around the world, we celebrate the contributions, cultures and stories of the Black community.
This year at the Library, we invite you to explore and reflect on how Black communities have resisted oppression in the past and today through a variety of activities. The program includes talks, poetry workshops, historical discussions and more.
Unleash your curiosity and come discover interesting facts and stories. There is something for everyone and for all ages!
📝 Arts can Teach - Poetry workshops with Ariel Clarke (Virtual): Join Educator, Writer, and Artist Ariel Clarke for a 4-week session of virtual poetry workshops. Tuesday February 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 6:00 pm on Zoom. For ages 13-18. Registration required.
📚 Author conversation with Leslie Roach: Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 pm. Join us at the Sunnyside branch for a conversation with Author, Poet, and Speaker Leslie Roach, who will discuss her experiences with racism in the past, and how she broke into the literary world. For adults. Registration required.
📜 Retracing history with Dr. Amadou Ba on Zoom: Monday, February 13 at 6:00 pm in English and Wednesday February 15 at 6:00 pm in French. Dr. Amadou Ba is a historian, political scientist, researcher and writer with a PhD in History, a Master’s in Political Science and a Bachelor’s in Education. He will talk about some of the history and contributions of the Black community in Canada.
💬 Chat with Catherine Hernandes: Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 pm at the National Arts Center (Peter A. Herrndorf Place). The OPL, in partnership with the NAC, will showcase award-winning author and screenwriter Catherine Hernandez who will be presenting her speech "What would Ms Hina Do?" The performance explores the themes of community and allyship in the context of Black History Month
Don't forget to follow us on our social media! There will be a collaborative activity on the OPL's Instagram platform with local Black leaders. Come see their responses to various questions and take part in the conversations!
🦉 Sensory Storytime
Our Storytime welcomes and respects the needs of children aged 0-6 years living with developmental disabilities and/or Autism, who may face barriers related to sensory experiences, show signs of, or are at risk for a developmental delay. Join us on Saturday, February 11 at 2:00 pm! A family member must be present for the entirety of the event. Offered in partnership with Mothercraft Ottawa.
✳️ Granny Squares for Warmth ✴️
Join us to crochet and join granny squares, to share and learn crochet stitches and techniques and to build a sense of community by making blankets for those in need.
Everyone is welcome! Tuesday, February 14 at 3:00 pm. The Granny Squares for Warmth (GSFW) group was created in November 2020 as a Barrhaven-based group with a mission to create and donate hand-made blankets in the Ottawa area.
Group members arrange for donations of yarn, crochet or knit granny squares, join the squares into lap blankets, baby blankets or single bed blankets and donate the blankets to organizations such as long-term care homes, women’s shelters, homeless shelters, maternity wards and more.
✍ Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest 2023
Do you love to write, draw, tell stories and play with words? Do you dream of becoming a published author someday? If you answered yes and are between the ages of 9 and 18, then the Awesome Authors contest is for you!
Until February 24, 2023 you have the chance to submit a piece of writing in English and/or French in the following categories: poetry, short story, comic/graphic novel, poésie, nouvelle, bande dessinée. For full contest details please click here.