2018 Highlights and Delights

 All of a sudden, it’s January. 2018 has irrevocably ended, and we’re now plowing forward into the New Year – literally plowing some days, depending on the snow. But let’s not dwell on that. Instead, let’s take a nostalgic moment to reflect on some of last year’s highlights. Specifically, library highlights.2018 saw the launch of so many new programs at the Brandon Library. Early last spring, we started an English Conversation Group, where volunteers and Canadian newcomers get together on a Saturday afternoon to play games, share a coffee or a story, and generally make merry. When a Brandon Sun reporter stopped by to snap some pictures, he had such a good time he ended up staying for the whole afternoon.Summer Reading Club flourished in all five branches of the WMRL. In Brandon, brightly coloured paper basketballs, painting pallets, and kites, all inscribed with children’s names, spread out across the walls of the Children’s Area. Magician Ryan Price wowed a packed crowd at the end of the summer.In September, we announced the winners of the Library’s first annual Youth Short Story Contest: Galli Kubari and Maya Kirby. Stories were read, awards were given, and much laughter was shared at an open mic celebration for all ages.In October, youth author David Alexander Robertson visited the Brandon Library. He spoke with easy charisma about his journey as a writer, a father, and a member of the Cree nation. Later in the fall, CBC superstar Gordon Goldsborough once again filled the Program Room with the launch of his latest book, More Abandoned Manitoba. A highlight within a highlight was the six-year-old girl who came with her mother and uncle, sat through the entire launch as the only child in the room, and afterwards asked Gordon Goldsborough to sign a copy of his book just for her; she was going to start reading it as soon as she got home.Speaking of six-year-olds, 2018 ended with a definite bang! On December 29, the last Saturday of the year, the Program Room filled with eager New Year celebrants of the younger variety. In tinsel hats and with bubble wrap noise-makers underfoot, the room watched in squealing awe as two dozen colourful balloons rained down from the ceiling. Happy New Year!…Well, those are a few of the highlights. That doesn’t even include the luscious, comfy new chairs that now populate the public reading areas of the Brandon Library, or the swarms of avid readers who descended for the Annual Book Sale, or the undeniable adorability of half a dozen parents and infants all clapping on time (or trying to) for Baby Time. To make up for the fact that there isn’t room to talk about all the highlights here, we’ll just have to make sure we relive them in the year ahead!Thank you for all of your support throughout 2018!  Happy New Year!–Danielle Hubbard, Assistant Librarian – Programming and Outreach Services