Canton Public Library

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Erica Rakowicz
rakowicze@cantonpl.org
Communication Specialist, Community Relations
Canton Public Library
734-397-0999 ext. 1245

Canton Book Project now seeking book lovers

Is there a book you know and love? A title you find yourself recommending over and over again? Maybe it changed your life, your outlook or maybe it could make a difference to someone else. Welcome to the 2017 Canton Book Project.

The Canton Book Project is your chance to share your love of reading by giving out books to people in the community who, for whatever reason, don't read for pleasure or own books.

“The Canton Book Project is valuable to me because it allows me to share my enthusiasm about reading with kids who aren't as interested in it,” said Ryen O’Meara, a 2016 Canton Book Project participant who distributed copies of I.Q. by Rowland Smith.

Zainab Elsarawy, who distributed Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, was glad to be involved in the project because she was able to do a great service to the community by spreading knowledge and fun at the same time, she said.

“I work all around the metro area and I have met people who never stepped a foot in the library,” she said. “When I gave them a book from the project, that was a conversation starter about that, and a reading boost and encouragement for them and their families to read,” Elsarawy said.

Susan Kennedy, a 2016 Canton Book Project participant, teamed up with a local shop owner to find perfect recipients for the book she chose, Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman. The shop owner Kennedy linked up with works around the corner from a number of low-income apartment buildings.

“I asked him to help me pinpoint families with young kids that might not have a ton of access to new books,” Kennedy said. “I love that he was involved and very choosy about which families got the books, ones he knew would really benefit.”

Applications are now being accepted from those interested in being book givers. Readers of all ages are encouraged to apply and books can be of any reading level.

Interested parties must have a valid library card on file and complete the online application below. Applicants must identify their book of choice and explain in no more than 500 words:

Reasons for selecting the chosen title
Why they should be the one to give it out – Tell us how and why you want to spread your passion for this particular book.
Intended audience for their book of choice.

By applying to be a Canton Book Project book giver you agree, if selected, to:

Attend the Canton Book Project Reception and Distribution Night on April 11, 2017
Give out all of your books by May 15, 2017
Seek out those who don’t regularly read as recipients of your books
Allow your image and name to be used by the library for promotion about this program

Applications are due by 9:00 PM on March 15 and book givers will be announced March 31, 2017.

Those interested can find more information and the application at www.cantonpl.org. For any questions, comments or concerns, contact Laura Fawcett at fawcettl@cantonpl.org or 734-397-0999 ext. 1079.

The Canton Public Library is located at 1200 S. Canton Center Rd. Learn more about the library by visiting www.cantonpl.org or by calling the library at 734-397-0999.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Laurie Golden
goldenl@cantonpl.org
Department Head Community Relations
Canton Public Library
734-397-0999 ext 1078

Canton Public Library receives Library of Michigan Certification for meeting ‘Essential Level’ of quality services

The Library of Michigan awarded the Canton Public Library a certificate of completion for meeting the Essential Level requirements of the Quality Services Audit Checklist (QSAC). To earn certification, the Canton Public Library demonstrated its competence in seven categories of achievement including human resources; governance/administration; services; collection development; technology; facilities and equipment; and public relations/marketing.

“Achieving the Essential Level certification proves to Canton residents that our public library is committed to excellence in governance, operations, finances, and public service,” said Eva Davis, library director.

“I am proud of my coworkers, library board, and volunteers for all they do to contribute to our success.”

QSAC has defined “essential services” – the basics of all library service – as relatively low-cost standards that every library can and should achieve. They are helpful guidelines to libraries just starting out, while providing important review for more established institutions. Essential standards are described as “those which should be achieved first because of their fundamental importance.”

“QSAC represents the word of more than 100 library directors, trustees and staff members who together created measures of quality for our state’s public libraries,” said State Librarian Randy Riley. “The staff of the Canton Public Library is to be commended for achieving a vital milestone in library service.”

The measures of QSAC are updated on a three-year schedule so certified libraries remain at the forefront of excellent service. QSAC was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through LSTA funding. The Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent Federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities, supports the Canton Public Library.

“We will soon begin work on achieving Enhanced certification, benchmarking our services at the next QSAC level to ensure that we remain leaders in the library industry and across the state,” Davis said.

Additional Library Updates

The Canton Public Library is in the final stages of the fourth phase of the Patron Service Improvement Project (PSIP), which includes a renovation of the Friends of the Canton Public Library’s bookstore, Secondhand Prose, the Northeast Corner, including the Teen Space, and the Southeast Corner Study Space. The Teen Space is the last of the phase four renovations and it will be complete in April.

Phase IV carries on the improvements of the previous PSIP, which renovated service points in the central area of the library, including the main restrooms, lobby and the Children's Library. The PSIPs continue the library’s ongoing plan to replace worn furnishings, and maintain and update the facility to meet the community’s changing needs.

For more information on the Canton Public Library, visit cantonpl.org or call the library at 734-397-0999.

Here is our printable March program calendar.

For the New Year, CPL conducted an online survey asking patrons what they would like to accomplish in 2017. We compiled lists of resources and programs that will help you meet those goals this year, so look out for more blog posts that address the goals we read from your surveys.

Patrons who told us their goal for 2017 is to broaden their music taste can benefit from these online streaming sources:

American Song — search and stream music from America's cultural heritage
Classical Music Library — 50,000+ classical music tracks
hoopla — check out popular music from major record companies (Canton Public Library card required)
Jazz Music Library — comprehensive collection of streaming jazz tracks featuring thousands of artists, ensembles, albums, and genres

And this upcoming program:

The Story Tellers present: Build a Better World — Come celebrate African American History month with us by welcoming back The Storytellers. On February 22 from 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM, The Storytellers combine interactive stories, beautiful music, humor, and hands-on fun with wonderful musical instruments from around the globe.