Off the Shelf
Volume 2, Issue 6
Library Giving: Your
Gift Speaks Volumes
The Library is a registered
charity that relies on help
from the community to
provide services. There are
many ways you can make a
difference at your Public
Library:
Annual donation to the
Adopt-a-Book program
Donation in memory of
someone you love or in
honour of a special occasion
Make a lasting contribution
by giving to the Library
Legacy Book Fund
Remember the Library in
your will
For more information,
phone 562-3279 or email:
rgillis@nssc.library.ns.ca
INSIDE:
Re-Cap of the 2 from the collection of Pam Newton
Turning Leaves
Library Festival
CBRL 60th
Anniversary
Event
Seniors’ Book 3
Clubs
OverDrive 3 era and has used her skills as a seamstress to recreate many of the costumes she
Advantage and
Update
Christmas 3
Crafts and
Main-A-Dieu
Library News and Events
November/December 2010
The Cape Breton Regional Library will be
holding a Used Book Sale from Thursday,
November 4 at 5:00 P.M., to Saturday,
November 13 at 5:00 P.M at the McConnell
Library. The sale will run during regular
library hours. This is a great time to find gifts
for Christmas. The Library will be selling
thousands of good, used books to raise funds
and make room for new materials.
The sale will include adult and children’s books in both paperback and hardcover
at excellent prices. All proceeds of the book sale will be used to supplement and
support the programs and services of the Cape Breton Regional Library. The
Friends of the McConnell Library Pre-Sale will be held on November 4 from 2:00
PM to 3:30 PM. This Pre-sale is open to members of the Friends of McConnell
Library only. Members of the Friends group will be at the Library from 1:30 to 3:00,
selling memberships. For more information on the sale, ask at the library or phone
562-3161 or 562-3279. - Rosalie Gillis
Victorian Fashion Show and Tea
The Cape Breton Regional Library
is presenting a Victorian Christmas
Fashion Show and Tea to be held at
St. Andrew’s Hall in Sydney on
Sunday November 21, starting at
1:30 P.M. The featured fashions are
and will showcase a variety of
outfits from the Victorian era,
including bathing suits, sportswear,
wedding gowns and more. The models for the event
will be members of library staff and friends of the library.
The Victorian Era generally refers to the years of the reign of Queen Victoria,
from 1837 to 1901. Newton has done extensive research on the fashions of this
studied. She will share her knowledge of these fashions as emcee for the show.
Tickets for this event are $25 per person and are available at the McConnell
Library or by phoning 562-3279 or 562-3161. During the afternoon, there will also
be a silent auction. All proceeds from this event go toward funding the programs
and services of the Cape Breton Regional Library.
- Rosalie Gillis
 Page 2 Off the Shelf

Turning Leaves Library Festival – Celebrating

60 Years of CBRL
The Cape Breton Regional Library recently celebrated 60 years of
serving our communities with the Turning Leaves Library Festival,
October 19th to 30th. Author visits, readings and events around the
region highlighted the rich literary traditions and contemporary
writing of Cape Breton and Maritime authors.
Frank MacDonald from Inverness Co., author of “A Forest for
Calum”, started us off with a Seniors’ Café and Seniors’ Book Club
event at McConnell Library. Those attending the Opening Night that
evening heard readings from four Cape Breton authors: playwright
Bev Brett read from a lively play in progress, poet Don Domanski
read from his award winning book “All Our Wonders Unavenged”,
author Donna Troicuk read a selection from her book of short
stories “Loose Pearls”, and Richard MacKinnon read from his book
Discovering Cape Breton Folklore” (there was much discussion
around the lost Cape Breton pastime of cock fighting!).
ABOVE: Opening Night speakers (L-R) Richard MacKinnon, Don Domanski, MC Ken Chisholm,
Donna Troicuk, and Bev Brett flanked by CBRL Head Librarian Faye MacDougall and Programs
Assistant Chris Thomson.

ABOVE: Mark Oakley reads to North Sydney Library Patrons from his
latest book “Star Drop”
The role of MC was ably filled by friend of the library Ken Chisholm. We
were honoured to host Don Domanski on his first trip back to Cape Breton
since winning the 2007 Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry.
Over the next two weeks, five great authors visited the McConnell, Glace
Bay, North Sydney, and/or the Baddeck Libraries:
Wolfville comic artist and graphic novelist Mark Oakley (“Thieves and
Kings”, “Stardrop”) shared his artistic talent and experiences with audiences at
the North Sydney Library and at Baddeck Academy. His drawing workshop
with students from Baddeck Academy and Wagmatcook School was inspiring!
Halifax horror writer and ghost story teller Steve Vernon (“Haunted
Harbours”, Maritime Monsters”) delighted audiences at McConnell and Glace
Bay Libraries.
Award-winning author and journalist, Linden MacIntyre, who still has deep
ties to Cape Breton, packed the house at McConnell and Baddeck for readings
from his book “The Bishop’s Man” that won the 2009 Scotiabank Giller Prize.
Great discussions followed each presentation that were thoughtful, insightful
and marked by what Mr MacIntyre referred to as Cape Breton’s
inherent “civility”.

Sheree Fitch, now from River John, shared her love of language
with young audiences at the Glace Bay and North Sydney Libraries
where she delighted children and parents alike. She also visited a
library full of Sydney Academy students to talk about her brand new
young adult novel “Pluto’s Ghost”.
Nancy Wilcox-Richards from Halifax was special guest at
Storytimes at McConnell and Glace Bay Libraries, and also visited
Brookland Elementary School students in their library to talk about
her stories “Claire’s Race”, and “How to Outplay a Bully”.
The Festival was rounded out by a wonderful event put on by our
friends Ron Caplan and Bonnie Thompson at Breton Books. The
evening paid tribute to three incredible Cape Breton “Women of
Courage”. North Sydney’s Wanda Robson spoke about her sister
Viola Desmond, “Nova Scotia’s Rosa Parks”; Helena Gillis
MacLeod spoke about her mother, Tessie Gillis, “the Woman
from Away”; and poet Lillian Crewe Walsh was remembered by
her niece Ruth Beaton and through two songs based on her poetry
played by Bobbie Currie, grandson of songwriter Charlie
MacKinnon.

What a celebration! We look forward to our next 60 years of

serving our communities and supporting literature and literacy in
Cape Breton. Linden MacIntyre with (L-R) Baddeck Library staff Larry MacDonald, Programs Assistant
- Chris Thomson Chris Thomson, and Baddeck staff Cora-Lee Eisses-Smith and Kate Oland.
 Volume 2, Issue 6 Page 3

OverDrive Advantage and an E-Book/

ABOVE: Staff at the McConnell Library Dressed in 1950s style for the McConnell Library 50th
Anniversary Patron Appreciation Day on September 28th. LEFT-RIGHT: Librarian Nicholas War-
ren, Librarian Erin Phillips, Programs Coordinator Tara MacNeil, Library Assistant Shelley Brown,
Technical Services Librarian Theresa MacDonald, and Collections Librarian Ian MacIntosh
Digital Audiobook Update
Our OverDrive e-book and digital audiobook collection
is expanding, with new titles being added each month. We
now have 889 digital audiobooks and 747 e-books for you
to download and enjoy!
As you know, we share our digital media collection with
all the other library systems in Nova Scotia (except
Halifax). This was necessary for reasons of cost, efficiency
and feasibility. We at CBRL also decided to add additional
titles which only CBRL patrons (You!) can access. To view
and download these titles, all you have to do is sign in to
OverDrive with your library barcode (no spaces) and your
usual pin. This is the same procedure required to sign in
to your online library account or to use the wireless
internet in our libraries.
We invite you to use the handy links on our website
(www.cbrl.ca), which will take you to our Digital Media
Downloads/OverDrive Welcome Page and then directly
to the Digital Media Downloads/OverDrive account sign in
screen. While on the welcome page, please read the “First
Time Use Guide” if it is your first time using our digital
media service, and please look at the FAQs link for
answers to questions commonly asked by CBRL patrons.
- Nicholas Warren

Books in our Collection:

Christmas Craft Book List
Best of Christmas Ideas (E-Book) by Better Homes
and Gardens

The Best Christmas Crafts Ever! - Ross, Kathy

Decorating for Christmas: 70 Themed Craft

Projects to Decorate Your Home - Schulz,
Carolyn

The Best Holiday Crafts Ever! - Ross, Kathy

ABOVE: Steve Vernon tells Ghost Stories at the Glace Bay Library
The Grolier Kidscrafts Christmas Craft Book - Murray,
Anna
Seniors’ Book Clubs Christmas Craft Sourcebook - Lawther, Gail
Seniors’ book clubs are now happening at the McConnell Library thanks to a
generous donation from the New Horizons for Seniors Program. There is still Christmas Treasures: Over 50 Gifts, Ornaments, and
room for a few more seniors in the Sydney clubs. In the New Year we will also Decorations to Craft and Stitch - Smith, Robby
be starting book clubs at libraries in Glace Bay, North Sydney, New Waterford,
and Sydney Mines. If you are a senior and interested in joining a book club,
leave your name at the front desk of your library and a staff member will con- Much Ado in Main-A-Dieu
tact you when a new group starts. Book clubs have a maximum of ten members
each and each group will have a designated day once a month to meet. The Lesley Crewe, who has written about the Louisbourg
book clubs have access to 30 book club kits and books are available to mem- area, will be live and in-person at the Main-A-Dieu
bers for a period of up to four weeks. Book clubs are great social Library branch on November 25th at 7pm. This will be
forums for seniors and provide opportunities to meet and get to know new an ‘evening of conversation,’ with books available for
people from all walks of life, as well as providing an enjoyable and purchase. Patrons are invited to come and
meaningful addition to your social calendar. - Rosalie Gillis converse with Lesley herself!
 Cape Breton Regional Library
Branch Hours

BADDECK MAIN-A-DIEU
526 Chebucto St. – Phone 295-2055 2886 Louisbourg Main-a-Dieu Road
e-mail: baddeck@nssc.library.ns.ca Phone 733-5708
Hours: Tues: 12 - 5, 6 - 8 e-mail: mainadie@nssc.library.ns.ca
Wed: 12 - 5, 6 - 8 Hours: Tues: 11-3
Thurs: 12 - 5, 6 - 8 Wed: 6-8
CAPE BRETON Fri: 10 - 5 Thurs: 1-5, 6-8
REGIONAL Sat: 10 - 5 Sat: 2 – 5

LIBRARY DOMINION NEW WATERFORD

50 Falmouth Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 6X9
PHONE:
(902)562-3279
FAX:
(902)564-0765
E-MAIL:
inssc@nssc.library.ns.ca
Newsletter: Nicholas Warren
(editor), Chris Thomson, and
Tara MacNeil (programming/proofing)
Branch
Closures:
Remembrance Day:
Thursday, Nov. 11th
December Holidays:
Dec. 24 (All Branches Close
at 1pm); Dec. 25 (All
Branches Closed), Dec. 27
(All Branches Closed); Dec.
28 (All branches normally
closed on Mondays are Closed
this Tuesday); Dec. 31 (All
Branches Close at 1pm); Jan.
1 (All Branches Closed), Jan.
3 (Reserve, Donkin and Head-
quarters Closed, as well as
branches normally closed
Mondays)
78 Commercial St. – Phone 849-3590
e-mail: dominion@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Mon & Tues: 1 - 5:30, 6:30 – 8:30
Wed: 1 - 5:30
Thurs: 10 - 12, 1 - 5:30, 6:30 – 8:30
Fri: 10 - 12, 1- 5:30
Sat: 10 - 12, 1 - 5:30
DONKIN (Elementary School)
81 Centre Ave – Phone 737-1154
e-mail: donkin@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Mon & Tues; 2:30 - 5:30
Wed & Thurs: 2:30 - 5:00 & 6:00 - 8
Fri: 2:30 - 5:00
FLORENCE
676 Bras d’Or Florence Rd – Phone 736-7583
e-mail: florence@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Tues: 1-5, 6-8
Wed & Fri: 1 - 5
Thurs: 1 - 5, 6 - 8
Fri: 1 - 5
Sat: 10 - 1
GLACE BAY
121 Union St. – Phone 849-8657
e-mail: glacebay@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Mon: 2 - 9
Tues - Fri: 10 - 9
Sat: 10 - 5:30
INGONISH
(Victoria North Regional Branch)
36243 Cabot Trail, Ingonish – Phone 285-2544
e-mail: ingonish@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Tues – Thurs: 12 - 5, 6 - 8
Fri: 9 - 12, 1 - 5
Sat: 10 - 12, 1 - 5
LOUISBOURG
10 Upper Warren St. – Phone 733-3608
e-mail: louisbou@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Tues & Thurs 2 - 5, 6-8
Wed & Sat: 2 - 5
Fri: 10 -11:30, 2 - 5:30
Visit our Website at www.cbrl.ca for more information
3390 Plummer Ave - Phone 862-2892
e-mail: newwater@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Mon: 1:30 - 5:30, 7 - 9
Tues – Thurs: 10 - 9
Fri: 10 - 7
Sat: 10 - 5:30
NORTH SYDNEY (Wilfred Oram Centennial)
299 Commercial St - Phone 794-3272
e-mail: northsyd@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Mon: 1:30 - 5:30, 7 - 9
Tues – Thurs: 10 - 9
Fri: 10 - 7
Sat: 10 - 5:30
RESERVE MINES (Tompkins Place)
2249 Sydney Road – Phone 849-6685
e-mail: reservem@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Mon - Tues & Fri: 2 - 5:30
Wed – Thurs: 2 - 5:30, 6:30 - 8:30
SYDNEY (McConnell Library)
50 Falmouth St – Phone 562-3161
e-mail: mcconne@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 10 -9
Sat: 10 - 5:30
SYDNEY MINES
1 Fraser Ave – Phone 736-3219
e-mail: sydneymi@nssc.library.ns.ca
Hours: Mon: 1:30 – 5:30, 7 - 9
Tues, Wed, Thurs: 10-5:30, 7 -9
Fri: 10-5:30
Sat: 10-12, 1-5:30
- BOOKMOBILES -
CAPE BRETON COUNTY BOOKMOBILE
Headquarters: 50 Falmouth St. Sydney
Phone: 562-3279
VICTORIA COUNTY BOOKMOBILE
Headquarters: 526 Chebucto St. Baddeck
Phone: 295-2055
Look for bookmobile schedules on our
website: www.cbrl.ca