In my work as a librarian, I meet people every day that are also looking for ‘a good book’ and part of my job is to help them find it. I start by asking questions: what do you like to read, who are your favourite authors, why did you like that particular book? Do you like a cozy British mystery, medical suspense, literary award winners? I am always meeting people who don’t know they can ask library staff for help finding books to read, although they regularly ask a lot of other questions!

The next time you are stuck, ask a staff member for help. We have some wonderful resources to help us help you, especially online databases such as NoveListPlus for fiction & nonfiction, and NoveList K-8. You can use this too - find out more.

Some folks like to look for things independently using our book displays, browsing the shelves, or checking out the “just returned” area.

Others find our website very helpful. If you haven’t looked yet, the Read section provides a wonderful guide to leisure reading and is full of great tools. You can,

• Sign up for one of our e-newsletters and get suggestions for the books you like to read delivered to your inbox
• Find award winners and fiction and non-fiction topical lists that include links to related websites
• Staff produced “We recommend…” lists by topic and author.

Do you like to read on the go? Download a book to your iPod or MP3 player and listen in the car. I am listening to a book right now and keep spending my lunch in my car, the book is so good!

But one of my favourite spots on our website (for those that like to see things hot off the press) is our New Items listing. Check out the upper right hand corner of our homepage. 

Libraries are reading places. Check out one of our book displays, ask a staff member for help, come to the library and find something new. Celebrate your Library. Join with us this Ontario Public Library Week as we celebrate the reader. Celebrate Reading. Read.