Media/Marketing

2021 Write Michigan Promotional Poster

The Canton Public Library is partnering with Kent District Library to present the tenth annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest, which drew almost 1,000 Michigan writers last year.

Canton residents and writers of all ages are invited to enter beginning September 1, with separate categories for youth, teens, adults and Spanish language (12 and younger). Winning entries will be published and receive cash prizes.

Stories can be submitted at writemichigan.org through Tuesday, November 30 at noon. Details include a 3,000-word maximum length; $10 entry fee for ages 18 and above, free for 17 and under; current Michigan residents only; all entries must be submitted online. Those who enjoy reading stories are encouraged to sign up to be a volunteer story reviewer.

Winners will be honored during an awards ceremony in March and their story will be published in an anthology by Chapbook Press.

Show off your writing skills and visit writemichigan.org for more details and to enter. 

Together We Read is a digital book club on OverDrive that connects readers from the U.S. with the same ebook title at the same time without any waitlists or holds! The inaugural title selection is Lean on Me by Pat Simmons. A poignant, emotional book that readers are saying is "The most empowering story line of a family tied together by the power of unconditional love."

The Together We Read runs from February 19th through March 4th.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

 

CPL Recognizes Volunteers with President’s Volunteer Service Awards

CANTON, MI –  The Canton Public Library celebrated volunteers who contributed 8,452 service hours with a luncheon on April 18. Staff prepared food to honor the 89 volunteers who spend their time at CPL shelving books, processing library materials, watering plants and more.

Volunteers were also recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, by library trustees Michelle Farell and Nancy Eggenberger.

The award given for the most time contributed is the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to volunteers who have contributed over 4,000 hours of service to the library in their lifetime. Bronze, Silver and Gold awards were also given to volunteers.

“That’s just amazing and that’s a lot of dedication to the library, so we want to give a special thank you to these people,” Farell said, before presenting the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The following recipients exceeded the number of hours required for each level of the award:

Gold: Linda Luke and Kathy Young
Silver: Deb Luczkowski, Shirley Reynolds, Judy Richardson, Nancy Smith and Linda Wisniewski
Bronze: Nancy Austin, Barb Backes , Melinda Drake, Linda Garrett, Larry Hoelscher, Lisa Kluka, John MacGaw, Claire O’Connor, Loretta Olson, Larry Richardson, David Smith, Kathy Sonnanstine, Jody Trame, Joan Postell and Debbe Yeager
Lifetime Achievement: Bevis Richardson and Ilene Saunders

Additional facts about the 2016 President’s Volunteer Service Award winners:

In 2011, the first year the Canton Public Library gave out the awards, CPL gave out 11 Bronze Awards. This year, CPL gave out 27 Bronze Awards.
Award winners alone donated 5,077 volunteer hours to the library in 2016.
Three of the award winners were teens, ages 11-15. Two teens won Silver Awards for 75-99 hours and one teen won a Bronze Award for 50-74 hours.
Two winners were young adults, ages 16-25. One young adult won a Silver Award for 175-249 hours and one young adult won a Bronze Award for 100-174 hours.
Thirty-three adults, ages 26 and up, won Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Twenty-five adults won Bronze Awards for 100-249 hours, five adults won Silver Awards for 250-499 hours, and three adults won Gold Awards for 500+ hours.

 

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

Canton Book Project Celebration Scheduled

Celebrate the third annual Canton Book Project with a Book Givers Reception on April 11 at 7:00 PM at the Canton Public Library. This year’s book givers have been selected, and now it’s time for them to distribute their books to the public. The titles this year range from children’s picture books to classic novels.

In its third year, the Canton Book Project is now growing in participation, and in its impact on the community.

“This year, we saw almost double the applications from the previous year,” said Laura Fawcett, program librarian. “It’s an opportunity to get more books out into the community and strengthen the community well-being.”

Nineteen book givers were selected this year. New to this year’s Canton Book Project are Celebrity Book Givers, who are well-known and inspirational leaders in the community.

Canton Public Safety Officer Patty Esselink chose the book “Officer Buckle and Gloria” by Peggy Rathmann to share with the community. Canton Township Supervisor Pat Williams chose “Mother Bruce” by Ryan T. Higgins, and Joanne Maliszewski, editor of O & E Media, will distribute her favorite book, “Wind in the Willows,” by Kenneth Grahame. Kristina Wilson, the owner of the new Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea in Canton, will distribute “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte.

Other books to be shared through the Canton Book Project are as follows:

“Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan, distributed by Govinda Sai Lakshmanan

“I Survived” books by Lauren Tarshis, distributed by Saicharen Lakshmanan

“Who Was?” books by Paula K Manzanero and Nancy Harrison, distributed by Sayeesha Lakshmanan

“Violent Ends” by Beth Revis, Blythe Woolston, and a number of other authors, distributed by Ariana Kahn

“Freak the Mighty” by Rodman Philbrick, distributed by Caylin Cook

“Lord Jim” by Joseph Conrad, distributed by Alfed Brock

“The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, distributed by Tina Flint

 “Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids” by Laura Markham, distributed by Michelle Minard,

“The Chronicles of Flannery Fiddlesticks” by A. M. Kenrick, distributed by the book’s author, Angela Kenrick,

“The Gift of Fear” by Gavin de Becker, distributed by Sandra den Boer

“A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman, distributed by Zainab Elsarawy

“Crazy in Alabama” by Mark Childress, distributed by Natalie Blasius

“Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse” by Leo Lionni, distributed by Cecilia Escobar

“The Good Nurse” by Charles Graeber, distributed by Iris Knight

Copies of these books will be distributed to members of the community in hopes to create a spark that inspires the recipient to keep reading, creating an engaged, informed community.

“It's a great program, easy to get involved and an excellent way to share the love for reading and any other message you think is important to get out into the community,” said Susan Kennedy, a 2016 Canton Book Project participant. She chose to share “Go Dog Go” by P.D. Eastman because she wanted to distribute a book that both kids and parents could enjoy together.

The Canton Book Project was launched as a way for the Canton Public Library to further connect your community. In addition, the Canton Book Project invites people to share their love of reading by giving out books to people in the community who, for whatever reason, don’t read for pleasure or own books.

For more information about the Canton Book Project, 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: 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.

 

United for Libraries celebrates National Friends of Libraries Week October 16-22, 2016. The Friends of the Canton Public Library was established in 1988 with the goal of advocating and fundraising to improve library services. Today, nearly 28 years later, the Friends continue to support the library by selling used books at the Second Hand Prose bookstore and holding fundraisers throughout the year.

These dedicated Friends volunteers have donated their time as well as books, furniture, equipment, and art to the library. Since 2003, they have given more than $500,000 in these categories, as well as funds specifically for library programming, such as our Connect Your Summer program; the library's endowment fund; and spaces such as the Friends' Activity Room and the Wings of Wonder Butterfly Garden.

Their efforts have made our library the award-winning library it is today, and I hope you will join me in thanking the Friends, their board, and their volunteers for all of their contributions and hard work!

Do you want to get involved? Please consider purchasing a membership with the Friends, volunteering in Second Hand Prose, or making a donation.

Great Friends groups make great libraries, and the Canton Public Library is lucky to have ours. Happy National Friends of Libraries week!

Canton Community Survey

CPL Strategic Plan GoalsThe Canton Public Library and Canton Leisure Services have teamed up with ETC Institute to conduct a statistically-valid community survey to assist in planning and prioritizing for both organizations. If you are one of the 3,000 randomly-selected Canton households to receive the survey, please fill it out and return it promptly. The 30-question survey should take about ten minutes to complete. Your responses will help us better understand your needs and prioritize our Strategic Plan efforts for the next several years. Your opinion is very valuable and we greatly appreciate your time.

Reciprocal Borrowing 2012 - Board Presentation

At the Board of Trustees meeting on February 21, 2013, Circulation Services Department Head Nancy Szczepanski provided an overview of reciprocal borrowing. Nancy reviewed 2012 checkouts from our library by residents of other communities, and vice-versa, particularly since the board approval of changes to our Circulation Policy last year. The updated policy affirmed our commitment to sharing with and supporting our neighbors while preserving primary access to Canton taxpayers.

Nancy's presentation, attached here as a .pdf, gave the Board good background on checkouts of our materials by patrons of other libraries, and I hope that you find it useful and interesting, also.

Best,
Eva Davis signature
Eva M. Davis, Director

The November/December issue is available online now as a pdf document. You may subscribe to an RSS feed of library communications by
pasting http://www.cantonpl.org/forpress/rss.xml into your feed reader.

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