May is marvelous at the Lethbridge Public Library’s downtown Main Branch location, including a seed library just in time for spring.
“People can borrow seeds to grow their own healthy food and contribute to a sustainable community,” says Jonathan Jarvie, a resource sharing librarian.
According to Jarvie, there are three steps to borrowing from the seed bank. “The first step is to browse and borrow. People can select what plants they would like to grow and check out the seed packages.”
The second step, Jarvie explains, is to sow and grow. “Where people plant, tend and enjoy their garden.”
Jarvie notes the third step is to reap and return. “If they are able, they can harvest seeds from what they’ve grown over the course of the summer and bring them back to the library to be packaged and borrowed by gardeners for the next growing season.”
Last year, the library gave out just under 3,000 packages of seeds to the community.
Next Saturday from 2-4:30 p.m., the Main Branch presents “Speed Friending.” Similar to speed dating, “Speed Friending” is for people looking to make new friends. Participant registration is required online with 16 slots available.
“It’s a chance for people to meet new people in the community. One of the things I’ve heard from all ages, from seniors to people in university, is Lethbridge seems to be a hard place to make new friends,” says Jarvie. The slots are just about full for next week’s event, but because of its popularity, the event will return.
To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, the Main Branch features a Medicine Wheel Wellness Workshop this Monday and on May 20 and May 27 from 6-7 p.m. The library’s Indigenous Services team will be highlighting sacred elements of the Medicine Wheel: Physical, Spiritual, Mental and Emotional. Registration is encouraged to ensure sufficient materials are available.
On Saturday, the Main Branch celebrates the works of the community’s young artists at the Kids’ Art Show Gala from 1-3 p.m. This year’s art theme is “A Splash of Colour.”
“It’s an opportunity for kids to bring in their art and for it to be shown off to the community. We’ve repurposed a glass display case up in our north wing, where kids can drop off their art and it will be displayed, so everyone can see it,” says Jarvie.
An all Disney-based “Name that Tune” Night is coming to the Main Branch May 28 at 6 p.m. “It’s great for all ages. People can come as a family with teams of up to six people and there’s a trophy for the winning group,” adds Jarvie.
For all upcoming programming at the Lethbridge Public Library visit lethlib.ca/events.
