Come down to your school library to find out more about some of these things that scare us.
October is Horror Month
Month: October 2024
Richard Wagamese
Richard Wagamese, the celebrated Indigenous Canadian writer, was born October 14, 1955. Wagamese was Ojibwe and a member of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations. He was born in Ontario and lived there for much of his life. In later years he lived in British Columbia, where he died in 2017 at the the age of 61. Keeper’N Me was his debut novel, published in 1994. Richard Wagamese was perhaps best known for his 2012 novel Indian Horse.
Thanksgiving
What are you thankful for? Take some time this Thanksgiving to appreciate the good things in your life.
We have a long weekend with the day off of school on Monday. For many Canadians, this is a day of traditions.. Perhaps you will be eating a turkey, surrounded by friends and family. But will you take some time to “give thanks” on Thanksgiving?
Thankfulness is strongly correlated with positive mental health outcomes. According to Harvard Medical School: “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”
Some of us are incredibly privileged. Some would even say blessed. Over this Thanksgiving long weekend, we encourage you to take some time to consider the things in your life for which you are thankful.
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Note: Life is full of challenges and hardships for all people. However, it may be worse for some, whose difficulties may be profound, perhaps even traumatic. In the midst of painful circumstances, it may be difficult to reflect on the things for which one might be thankful. Being grateful for the good things in life does not take away from the pain and trauma that may also be there. Gratitude alone is not a substitute for seeking help from mental health professionals.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, or the “Day of Atonement”, is the holiest day on the Jewish Calendar. For devout Jews in Canada and around the world, Yom Kippur is the most important Holiday, beyond Hanukkah or even the Passover. Many Jews will spend the entire day in fasting, praying and other observances.
In 2024 Yom Kippur begins at sundown on October 11, and ends at nightfall on October 12. (This is according to the Gregorian Calendar, while the lunar Jewish Calendar it is on the 10th of Tishrei, year 5785.)
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Library Hall of Fame
October is Canadian Library Month and International School Library Month. As we celebrate CLM and ISLM each year, we highlight notable librarians who have made significant contributions to libraries and librarianship. We also celebrate librarians who have raised the profile of libraries and librarianship with their fame in other fields. Here are the 2024 inductees into our Library Hall of Fame:
Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood is a library clerk from rural Ontario. He is more famous for his prolific creativity in the world of role playing games and fantasy literature. He is the creator of the Forgotten Realms game world, which he first developed as a young child and integrated with Dungeons and Dragons. He would go on to develop intricate role playing game worlds, and write myriad novels, novellas, short stories and articles for fantasy and gaming magazines. He has won numerous awards and honours, including induction into the Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
Leslie Weir
Since 2019 Leslie Weir has served as Librarian and Archivist of Canada. She is the first woman to hold this post. Weir has served in many important roles in Canada’s academic libraries, including President of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, and University Librarian at the University of Ottawa. She has been honoured with numerous awards during a distinguished career.
Ken Roberts
Ken Roberts is a Canadian librarian. He had distinguished career in many positions, including President of Canadian Library Association, and Chief Librarian in the Hamilton Public Library. He is also a well known as an award winning writer of books for children and young adults, including Past Tense, a Governor General’s Award nominee. Roberts has won numerous honours during his career. One supporter offered this high praise of Roberts, “What stands out for me with Ken is that, in spite of all his accomplishments, he is a librarian first and foremost, and a humble man.” (source)
Find out more:
Ed Greenwood
Leslie Weir
Ken Roberts
Previous Library Hall of Fame Inductees:
Brian Deer
Zoia Horn
Nancy Pearl
Gene Joseph
Jessamyn West
Zenodotus
Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert, author of the Science Fiction classic novel Dune, and the series of Dune books, was born on this day in 1920.
Library Books about Libraries and Books
October is Canadian Library Month and International School Library Month
World Teachers’ Day
From UNESCO:
Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future by nurturing students and driving educational progress. However, to fully harness their potential, it’s crucial that their voices are heard and valued in the decision-making processes that affect their profession. This year’s World Teachers’ Day highlights the need to address the systemic challenges teachers face and to establish a more inclusive dialogue about their role in education. The 2024 celebrations will focus on “Valuing teacher voices: towards a new social contract for education”, underscoring the urgency of calling for and attending to teachers’ voices to address their challenges but, most importantly, to acknowledge and benefit from the expert knowledge and input that they bring to education.
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October is Canadian Library Month
Libraries are vital to our individual and collective prosperity and well-being. Libraries are a joy. Libraries build community. Libraries promote literacy. Libraries are safe spaces. Libraries bridge the gap between haves and have nots. Libraries protect intellectual freedom. Libraries put books into the hands of kids. Libraries support healthy communities. Libraries are essential to the health of democracy. Libraries promote positive social values. Libraries provide online resources. Libraries build readers. Libraries are hubs of a community. Libraries promote lifelong learning. Libraries support democratic citizenship. This list of why libraries are important goes on and on.
Celebrate Canadian Library Month, along with International School Library Month, this October. All libraries, including school libraries, public libraries, even “free little libraries”, are vital to society. Find out more. Visit us in person, or online at tweedsmuirlibrary.ca
October is FRIGHTENING!
Come down to your School Library to check out our creepy and disturbing collection of materials for Halloween. We have scary stories that cover all manner of terror.
October is Horror Month at the School Library.
Shanah Tovah!
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year feast and celebration. It is the first of the “High Holy Days” of Judaism, and is followed closely by Yom Kippur.
The Jewish Calendar is a lunar calendar, therefor the dates of Rosh Hashanah and other Jewish holidays will vary according to the Gregorian Calendar (the standard calendar used in most of the world for politics, business and daily life.) In 2024 Rosh Hashanah begins at Sundown on October 2 and ends at nightfall of October 4.
Shanah Tovah!
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October is Library Month
October is huge. International School Library Month. Canadian Library Month. BC School Library Day and the Drop Everything and Read Challenge on September 21. Canadian Library Workers Day on October 18. Canadian School Library Day on October 21. And much, much more…
Celebrate the joy and the power of libraries. Visit us at your School Library to celebrate all month long!
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 