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Grownup Storytime

Many adults enjoy audiobooks, but there's something special about listening to someone read aloud live and in person.  It lets you enjoy not just a story but the company you're in.  Meghan Cox Gurdon, children's book critic for the Wall Street Journal, has written about the physiological rewards of hearing a story read aloud in her new book The Enchanted Hour:  the Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction.  "Stress hormones are decreased and bonding hormones increase," she explains.

KFPL, which has long offered read-alouds for children and families, is launching a new program beginning September 9 called Grownup Storytime, with the tag-line "Why should kids have all the fun?"  Adults of all ages are invited to drop by the Sydenham branch each Monday to listen to stories, essays, excerpts or articles read by Programming Assistant Margi McKay—one week it might be something by Bill Bryson; another, it might be something by Stephen Leacock or Richard Wagamese.   Feel free to bring your lunch, or perhaps your knitting.  Beverages will be provided.  If the group feels like staying to talk about what they've heard, there'll be time for that as well.   

Grownup Storytime will run from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays at the Sydenham branch, from September 9 through October 21 (except on Monday, October 14, when the library will be closed for Thanksgiving.)  Each weekly session of this drop-in program is open to adults of all ages, and no registration is required.   Come to as many sessions as you like!

  For more information, visit www.kfpl.ca .

City Hall and Springer Market Square will be lit up in red for Mark it Read for Dyslexia.

Find out more about lighting up City Hall.

These days, millions of people all over the world are exploring their family histories. Genealogy is one of the most popular pastimes for people of all ages. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced researcher, there is always more to learn and to share!

Starting on Tuesday, September 17, the public library will make it easier for you to connect with others who share your interest in genealogy.  On Tuesday evenings, our local history librarian and members of the Kingston Branch of Ontario Ancestors (formerly the Ontario Genealogical Society) will be on hand to answer questions and offer assistance.  Work on your family tree, explore research sources, meet new friends and share strategies with others. No registration is necessary, and all are welcome. 

Bring your laptop or tablet (or pencil and paper) and drop in to the Central Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings from September 17 to November 5.

KFPL Central Branch, 2nd Floor, Local History Room. We'll look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, visit www.kfpl.ca

With today's aging demographic the estate litigation world is expanding. In spite of careful estate planning and the choosing of a Power of Attorney, sometimes disputes arise.  Perhaps someone wants to challenge a will, or feels that the person with power of attorney is using the funds for their own benefit.  Sometimes a newly incapable parent needs to be placed in long-term care but their children disagree about the choice of home. How can these issues be resolved?

At this installment of the KFPL Live monthly speakers' series, local lawyer Paul Andrews will discuss issues in estate litigation which are becoming increasingly important as our population ages.  Mr. Andrews will cover the procedural steps in disputing Powers of Attorney, applying for guardianship, or making will challenges, and he will review the grounds on which those strategies can be pursued.  This talk will be of particular interest to everyone with an estate plan, children who are managing their parents’ affairs, families coping with dementia, and anyone who is expecting to be a beneficiary under a will.

This presentation will take place twice:  first at the Central branch on Thursday, October 10 at 7 p.m. and then at the Sydenham branch on Saturday, October 26 at 2 p.m.  Both sessions will be the same and both are open to adults and seniors. There is no admission charge, but seating is limited.  To avoid disappointment, please register in advance at calendar.kfpl.ca/events or by phone at (613) 549-8888 as of 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 28.

  For more information, visit www.kfpl.ca .

City Hall will be illuminated purple in recognition of RETT Syndrome Awareness Month. Rett Syndrome (RTT) is neurodevelopmental condition characterized by the loss of spoken language and hand use, couple with the development of distinctive hand stereotypies. To learn more about RETT Syndrome click here.

Find out more about lighting up City Hall.

These days, millions of people all over the world are exploring their family histories. Genealogy is one of the most popular pastimes for people of all ages. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced researcher, there is always more to learn and to share!

Starting on Tuesday, September 17, the public library will make it easier for you to connect with others who share your interest in genealogy.  On Tuesday evenings, our local history librarian and members of the Kingston Branch of Ontario Ancestors (formerly the Ontario Genealogical Society) will be on hand to answer questions and offer assistance.  Work on your family tree, explore research sources, meet new friends and share strategies with others. No registration is necessary, and all are welcome. 

Bring your laptop or tablet (or pencil and paper) and drop in to the Central Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings from September 17 to November 5.

KFPL Central Branch, 2nd Floor, Local History Room. We'll look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, visit www.kfpl.ca

Since 2007, November has been designated National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short.  Aspiring writers worldwide are encouraged to track their progress online as they try to produce 50,000 words in a new manuscript between the first and last of the month.  Focusing on quantity, rather than quality, the goal is to get writing, to write with a buddy or in a group, to combat writer's block, and to produce a substantial first draft that can later be edited and rewritten to form a finished novel or the first part of a novel.  By registering on the NaNoWriMo website writers can track their progress and connect with and encourage other writers, particularly in their own community.  Pep talks from published writers also help, especially when they come from authors whose published works originated in NaNoWriMo, like Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus), Rainbow Rowell (Fangirl), and Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants). 

Kingston Frontenac Public Library is again teaming up with Kingston NaNoWriMo to provide space for local writers participating in National Novel Writing Month.  In addition to four Write Ins during November, there will be two prep sessions in October.  At these two-hour sessions, adult and teen writers can meet with fellow writers to get some work done in a fun, supportive space with free WiFi and electrical outlets (and possibly a few snacks).  These are drop-in sessions and no registration is required.  This year's sessions at KFPL will be held:  

Monday, October 7, at Central branch at 2 p.m.

Monday, October 28, at Calvin Park at 7 p.m.

Monday, November 4, at Central at 7 p.m.

Monday, November 11, at Isabel Turner at 7 p.m.   

Monday, November 18, at Calvin Park at 2 p.m.

Monday, November 25, at Central at 2 p.m.

For the past three summers Kingston retirees Glenn Green and Carol Vandenegel have canoed some 8,515 kilometres across Canada.  Already experienced paddlers, in this bucket-list project they've braved bears and high waves to follow old voyageurs' routes, experiencing breathtaking scenery, back-breaking portages, and perhaps a little more togetherness than many couples would find comfortable.  But although they were alone in their canoe, Carol and Glenn benefited greatly along the way from the kindness of strangers who offered them showers, beds and home-cooked meals.

They've also used their journey to raise awareness of Kingston's Loving Spoonful and its vision of a food-secure community, provisioning themselves with fresh local food dehydrated at home, then shipped ahead along their route.  By the time they paddled into the Cataraqui Canoe Club this September 19 they had raised $23,000 and spread the word coast to coast.  Now they're sharing photos and stories of their trip with their home community, including during two KFPL Live presentations.

Glenn and Carol will speak twice at library branches:  first at the Isabel Turner branch on Tuesday, November 5 at 7 p.m., and then at the Calvin Park branch on Saturday, November 9 at 2 p.m.  Both presentations will be the same and both are open to adults and teens.  There is no admission charge, but seating is limited.  To avoid disappointment, please register in advance at calendar.kfpl.ca or by phone at (613) 549-8888, starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 26.