Collecting our stories
Upcoming special events!
Volunteer Meet-Up
Where: Millbrook Branch When: Wednesday, Sept. 13th Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Calling all volunteers! If you are interested in taking part in our Seniors Community Grant, we would love to hear from you. We have a variety of volunteer roles that need to be filled, including visiting those who are unable to come to the library and recording their stories. We would also love to hear from anyone who has writing and/or memoir writing experience.
If you are interested, please come to the Millbrook Branch for our Volunteer Meet-Up. If you are unable to attend and would still like to volunteer, please contact Courtney at tutor@cmlibraries.ca
Official Launch
Where: Millbrook Branch When: Wednesday, Sept. 20th Time: 1:00-3:00pm
We will be officially launching our Seniors Community Grant on Wednesday, September 20th. Stop by the Millbrook Branch from 1:00-3:00pm to discuss the new programs and activities that the library will be hosting and to enjoy some treats. If you have any questions about our upcoming activities, please let us know!
First writing workshop
Where: Millbrook Branch When: Wednesday, Sept. 27th Time: 1:00-3:00pm
The hardest part of writing is getting started. We welcome Beth Deleff who will lead us through some first steps and recommendations about how to start writing a memoir.
Weekly activities – starting September 21st!
Collecting our stories:
We would like the opportunity to hear the stories and experiences of the seniors who live in the area. Join us at both branches to write and chat and share stories.
Where: Millbrook Branch When: Wednesdays Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Bruce Johnston Branch When: Thursdays Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Tech & E-Resource Time:
On Thursdays at the Bruce Johnston Branch and Fridays at the Millbrook Branch, we will be hosting Tech and E-Resource Times. Stop by either branch with any questions you have.
Where: Bruce Johnston Branch When: Thursdays Time: 3:00-4:00pm
Where: Millbrook Branch When: Fridays Time: 3:00-4:00pm
Background information
The Groundwork:
Earlier this year, Karla successfully applied for a Seniors Community Grant. The purpose of this grant is to provide a safe and accepting space for seniors to meet together and socialize.
We will be offering a variety of newly created library programs and activities, designed to alleviate social isolation while providing volunteer opportunities and help participants gain employable skills.
While many of these programs will take place within our branches, we will also be increasing our community engagement by working with similar agencies and bringing activities to those who are not able to come to us.
Previous research:
As the older generation is disappearing, so are their stories. A programming survey done by the CMLibraries in 2022 showed an interest in “assistance with writing memoirs”. We see this as a need in our community that the CMLibraries can fulfill. This project would encourage people to gather and to tell stories before they are gone.
Memoir writing:
A main focus of this grant is memoir writing (although we will encourage writing of any kind). Those who can type or write will be guided to record their own stories, while others who need extra help can have a volunteer transcribe their stories for them.
We will be using a variety of technology, such as computers, VR headsets, speech to text software, zoom, etc. We will also be hosting writing workshops to assist with the memoir writing process.
This project is meant to benefit the community by giving the participants a sense of belonging – even if they aren’t from here. Everyone’s story is important. This project will become an archive of information provided by those who were here in 2023 – protecting memories for future residents and generations.
The plan:
While this project will mainly be geared towards the 55+ community, we will encourage intergenerational involvement – including options for participation and volunteer opportunities to students. Not everyone is interested in sharing their histories, so we want to offer the opportunity for the community to come together in different ways to promote a sense of belonging.
We will be having an expressive art therapist come to the library for a series of art related workshops. During the workshops, the participants can draw a map of where they grew up or an important place in their lives.
We will also be hosting Tech Time once a week at the Millbrook and Bruce Johnston Branches, which will focus on specific topics such as Ancestry, Hoopla, etc.