Author Archives: Lauren

Seed Library

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Seed Library

What is the Seed Library?

Blueberry in a pile of seed packages.

Our Seed Library is a free service of the Hanover Public Library. You do not need to be a member to enjoy this service. Our aim is to foster well being and community through the sharing of resources. Just like a Public Library, a Seed Library works on the basis of borrowing seeds for free. You can return any unused seeds back to the Library as long as they are in their original package. We provide a wide range of organic and heirloom vegetables, flowers and herbs. Looking for something specific? Ask the front desk staff today!

How Does it Work?

Visitors are allowed to take up to 5 packets of seeds per visit. This allows us to service as many people as possible. Select any combination of up to 5 packages, then use the provided check-out cards to write the types of seeds you are taking and hand the card into the front desk staff. This allows us to keep track of what we need to replenish.

How do I “Return” my seeds?

We will take back any unused seeds as long as they are dry, clean and in the original package. We also can accept any donations of new packages of seeds including: vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruits. You can drop off your donations to the Library front desk staff.

Why do we need a Seed Library?

According to the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit 1 in 6 households in Grey-Bruce are food insecure. They also reported that 1 in 5 children living in Grey-Bruce live in a food insecure household. Being food insecure means that these households do not have enough money to buy food. By having a free Seed Library and providing the community with the knowledge and tools to grow their own food, we can begin to reduce the number of suffering families and create a food stable community.

Pepperjack sits behind a growing stock of basil.

Growing Tips!

Some Seeds like to be started indoors

  • Start these seeds inside according to the time on the packet. Plant them in good quality soil near a bright window or light source
  • Before you take your plants fully outside they need to be hardened off. This means taking them outside for a few hours each day gradually increasing the length of time. This allows them to be exposed to wind and sun which will toughen them up.
  • Examples: Tomatoes, Peppers, Celery and Eggplant.

Plants like Space

  • Start these plants outside as directed on the packet.
  • Example: Peas, Carrots, Corn and Onions.

Some seeds like to be started outdoors

  • In small spaces only plant 1 of each type of plant. Ex. one pepper plant and one tomato plant
  • In larger spaces keep different varieties of the same plant away from each other to avoid cross pollination

List of seeds currently available

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Flowers
  • Herbs
  • Kohl Rabi
  • Leafy Greens
  • Leeks
  • Melons
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Pumpkin
  • Radishes 
  • Rutabaga 
  • Sprouts
  • Swiss Chard
  • Squash 
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnip, 
  • Zucchini 

How to place holds on Koha

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How to place holds on Koha

How to place holds using the online catalogue

It’s easy to request items or “place holds” online! There are 4 basic steps.

If you don’t have a username and password for your library account, or you’ve forgotten what it is, contact us! You can come by the library, call us at 519-364-1420, or e-mail us at library@hanover.ca.

Once you have your username and password, visit the library’s website: hanoverlibrary.ca

Step 1: Find Koha

On the left side of the page, you will see a blue square with the word “koha” on it. Click on the word ‘koha.” If you have a phone or small tablet, scroll down to find “koha” below the menu.

screen shot how to place holds first step

Step 2: Log in to your account

On the right hand side of the screen is a place for you to sign into your account. Enter your username and password and click log in.

Log in to your account screen shot how to place holds log in screen

Step 3: Find items

Now you can see what’s available and place holds on items you want to borrow. You can search by title, author, or subject.

Browse the quick links

If you want to see what’s new in our collection, click on Home and scroll down to the list of links.

screen shot how to place holds quick links screen

Use the search bar

You can also use the search bar to search for a specific item. We will search for “Summer Island” by Kristin Hannah.

screen shot how to place holds. simple search bar

If you want to learn more about the item, click on the title.

how to place holds screen shot results summer island

Step 4: Place the hold

Click on “Place hold” to put the item on hold. Your name will be added to the list of patrons waiting to borrow this item when it is available.

how to place holds page screen shot detail page summer island

Click “Confirm hold.”

how to place holds. screen shot confirm hold screen.

You will now see the confirmation page.

how to place holds. screen shot summary screen.

You will receive an phone call or e-mail when the item is ready for you to pick up.

Changing your password

When signing into your account for the first time, be sure to change your password to something only you know, not something that will be easy for someone else to guess.

Scroll down your account page until you see the link “Change my password,” and click on that link.

Follow the prompts to change and confirm your password.

You are now ready to place holds!

how to place holds.screen shot change your password screen.

Ready to place your holds? Choose a selection below!

New fiction

New non-fiction

New DVDs

New large print

Children’s

No More Late Fees for Children’s Items

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Children’s items are now fine-free!

The Hanover Public Library is pleased to announce that for 2023, we will not be charging late fees on overdue children’s items. You heard that right!

We know how important it is to introduce children to reading, so with that in mind our library Board has decided to stop charging fines on overdue children’s materials.

Families with children might borrow a lot of items at once so a daily fine per item that is overdue adds up very quickly, which is unfair. We want to remove that barrier because we know that introducing children to books at a young age sets them up for success in life. We want to encourage everyone to introduce their children to reading!

The Hanover Public Library will continue to charge for children’s items that are lost or damaged.

We will still be charging fines on young adult and adult materials so items are returned promptly and we can continue to serve everyone efficiently.

Mom and child reading a children's book together.

Holiday StoryWalk

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4th Annual Holiday StoryWalk®

The StoryWalk®is a fun outdoor activity for the whole family! Read a story page by page as you walk through the Heritage Square in downtown Hanover. Read the story from now until December 31st.

Drop off your completed ballot at the library to be entered into a draw for an awesome prize. Pick up your map and ballot at the library or download them here:

Storywalk Map 2024Download

Fill in the ballot to win a prize: https://forms.gle/8D9jfRvADUggKEMZA

The Hockey Jersey book jacket image.

The Hockey Jersey by Jael Richardson with Eva Perron is also available to borrow from the library! Place a hold on the book here: https://koha.hanoverlibrary.ca/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=84929&query_desc=kw%2Cwrdl%3A%20hockey%20jersey

Territory Acknowledgement

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Territory Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge and honour the land upon which this library stands as the historic and Traditional Territory of the Anishinabek Nation. We recognize and thank The People of the Three Fires, known as Ojibway, Odawa, and Pottawatomie Nations. And further give thanks to the Chippewas of Saugeen, and the Chippewas of Nawash, known collectively as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Map showing Traditional Territory of the Saukiing Anishnaabekiing Saugeen Ojibway Nation Treaties.

Learning about treaties & how they continue to shape the province today is an important part of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Read more about the history of treaties in The Saugeen Ojibway Nation at: https://www.saugeenojibwaynation.ca/resources

In recognition that municipal boundaries are an ongoing colonial construct that ignores First Nations traditional territories, First Nations people with a status card or band membership of a local First Nation, and who are living in the traditional Saugeen Ojibway Nation lands, including Treaty 45 1/2, will be entitled to free library membership. In the spirit of original treaties, the library shall share its resources with mutual respect. The Hanover Public Library will continue to provide books and materials by First Nations and Indigenous authors in its collection. 

These actions are a part of the Hanover Public Library’s mission as a welcoming and upbeat community hub that fosters lifelong learning.

Watch a Storytime With Stephanie on YouTube

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Watch Storytime With Stephanie on YouTube

Join in online, anytime to watch a Storytime with Stephanie. All books presented are from our library, so check the library catalogue to place holds.

Watch most recent episode of storytime here: https://youtu.be/f_jSz46uBzY

Enjoy the full playlist of Storytime videos here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBp1u2MpsNPgqiyOySe5JdJAFL_k1voXr

Loved the book that was read? Place a hold on it from our library catalogue!

Go to the Library Catalogue

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation also celebrated as Orange Shirt Day, will be observed September 30th. This day calls on all Canadians to remember the history of residential schools, through the experience of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, and the intergenerational impacts of its legacy on First Nations and Indigenous peoples. 

Activities Honouring the Legacy of Residential School:

In our library, we intend to recognize the day in various ways. To raise local awareness of the Indigenous issues around Residential School and the long lasting damage it caused in their families and communities.  One action we can take is to educate our community, to further the cause of reconciliation and honour those lost children by sharing the stories of residential school survivors, their families, and communities. 

At the library, we will recognize this day by inviting our patrons to:

Every Child Matters
  • Read and promote the books we have on Residential School, Indigenous matters and books by Indigenous authors. We have created suggesting reading lists for adults Indigenous Matters reading list and for kids Talking About Residential Schools for Kids reading list
  • Encourage people to read and learn about the Residential School system and the pain and lasting damage that it caused to survivors, their families and all Indigenous people
  • Provide a Make and Take craft kit with a related theme and information

A national Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

Resources to read and learn about residential schools

  • Visit Grey Roots Museum to view Saukiing Anishnaabekiing presents Our Stories, which will invoke Anishinaabe creation stories while pointing towards reconciliation.

 

yi-trc-calls-to-action-update-full-report-2020Download

Borrow the internet

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Resource Currently Unavailable

Hanover Public Library is launching a new technology service with the help of local Hanover business, Electrical Contacts Limited.

You can now “borrow the internet” with your library card! The library has purchased 6 Kajeet SmartSpots to lend to library members who may not have internet at home or lack reliable broadband internet.

The Kajeet SmartSpot is a portable wireless hotspot that you can borrow from the Library. It can provide free internet access using the Bell or Rogers cellular network to Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, tablets, and PCs. They are perfect for you to use at home, away, or on-the-go anywhere in Ontario!

Kajeet Smart Spot kit. Showing the smartspot, USB charge cord, power connecter and carrying case.

Library customers just need a Wi-Fi-ready device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to use this electronic device.

What is a SmartSpot?

A SmartSpot is a small portable device that connects your laptops, smartphones, tablets or other wireless-capable devices to the internet through a mobile phone network. Just as you can use the wireless network in the library, you can now carry that connection with you to access the internet on the go. The Kajeet SmartSpot comes in a kit. The kit includes a SmartSpot, a charging cable and power adaptor along with instructions for connecting and troubleshooting.

What Can I do with a SmartSpot?

Kajeet SmartSpot set up on a park bench with a laptop.
Take the internet with you anywhere you go!

Connect multiple devices to the internet, wherever you are! Work, learn or communicate online.

Where will it work? Anywhere in Ontario that is covered by the Bell or Rogers cellular network. So you can use it in the park, at the cottage, while you travel or at home.

Borrowing and returning

Loan Period: 14 Days

Holds: Allowed

Renewals: Not allowed

Eligibility: Full library membership in good standing. An adult must sign the User Agreement.

Borrowing & returning: In person – You must sign the Kajeet SmartSpot User Agreement at checkout. Please do not place SmartSpots in the book drop. We ask that you return the SmartSpot kit in good condition, fully charged, and give it directly to staff to prevent damage.

Overdue and replacement fees

Overdue fees: $1.00 per day to a maximum of $200.00; Data is turned off the day after the SmartSpot is due.

Replacement charges for lost or damaged items:

  • SmartSpot: $200.00 (Other parts: up to $50.00)

Borrower Responsibilities

Please remember that data usage is shared – be considerate in your choice of activities. Each of these activities uses approximately 1 GB of data.

  • Browse the web for about 12 hours or 600 webpages
  • Read about 2000 email messages
  • Meet in Zoom at 720p with a group for 1 hour
  • Listen to or watch about:
    • 30 minutes to 2 hours of video depending on its quality OR
    • 35 eBooks / 3 audiobooks from Libby OR
    • 1 hour of YouTube at 720p OR
    • 15 hours of online radio or podcasts

As you can see, using the devices for audio/visual entertainment will use the Library’s shared data pool and your portion of it very quickly.

In borrowing the SmartSpot, you are acknowledging that you have read, understood and agreed to all of the terms in the Kajeet SmartSpot User Agreement.

Kajeet SmartSpot FULL User AgreementDownload
Electrical Contacts Ltd logo on borrow the internet post.

Thank You Electrical Contacts Limited

This new service has been made possible by a very generous donation from Electrical Contacts Limited. ECL, a long standing Hanover business is truly invested in supporting our library and our community. ECL has previously donated to our library at our 2018 Art Gala as a Gold level sponsor, and in 2020 when we were unable to run our regular book sale fundraiser. We would not be able to provide this new service without their support. Thank you so much ECL for your donation!  

ECL Donation being presented by Tammy Louther.
Tammy Louther of ECL presenting the donation.

Watch Craft Videos With Moira on YouTube

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Watch craft videos with Moira on YouTube. Join in online, anytime for a virtual tutorial of how to make the featured craft. Crafts featured are inspired by a previous Storytime with Moira video. Your craft bag will have everything you need to complete the craft. Request a craft bag by calling the library!

Check out this weeks craft tutorial: https://youtu.be/bVxFVN_m6Zg

Enjoy the full playlist of craft videos on our YouTube Channel.

Click on the YouTube Link here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBp1u2MpsNPgqiyOySe5JdJAFL_k1voXr

Don’t have a craft bag? Don’t worry! We use common items you can find at home or at a local store. You can make your favourites again and again at home.