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
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Flowers
  • Herbs
  • Kohl Rabi
  • Leafy Greens
  • Leeks
  • Melons
  • Okra
  • 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 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.

Library Board Member Recruitment

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Join Our Library Board

Library board appointment applications are now open!

Any Hanover resident 18 and over can apply to join our Library Board for the new term.

Our library board needs people who care about our community, and who can help the library be the best resource that it can be for the people who need it. If you are passionate about our library and could spare time for one or two meetings a month, please consider joining our volunteer board.

Do you:

  • want to make a difference and give back to our town?
  • support libraries?
  • like to get involved and contribute your ideas?

If this sounds like you, please contact Carolyn at the library for more information and an application form. You can also complete the Town of Hanover Application for Appointment at https://hanover.ca/boards-and-committees.

The board governs the operation of the library, providing an efficient library service that meets the unique needs of the local community. 

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.

 

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