Sunday 23 April 2017

Sunday April 23, 2017 Fresh Air



Has the spring weather inspired you to get outside for some fresh air and exercise? Stop in to any Library location and pick up a Big Boreal Adventure Guidebook and start exploring!  The guidebook is in both English and French, and includes a map, instructions, and clues to find 24 posts all over the Thunder Bay area.  You may have seen these posts in parks and other areas.  On each post is stainless steel plate with an image on it.  You can use a crayon or blunt pencil to make a rubbing of the image in your guidebook.  The Adventures are divided by season, so you can keep exploring all year long.  Information is provided for each area so you can learn more about the history, geography and environment.  Find the Big Boreal Adventure online at www.bigborealadventure.ca for related activities and news of events.

You can also borrow a nature kit to take on your adventures!  Each kit includes a story book, nature book, magnifying glass, full sized binoculars, compass, booklist, and nature activity sheets.  Ask at the desk to borrow a nature kit.  They go out for three weeks, and are listed in our online catalogue under “Big Boreal Adventure Kit” where you may place a hold.

If you’re into history, the “Big Boreal Adventure Goes Historical” is for you!  You can pick up a free guidebook from any Library location, and take yourself on five walks, stopping to explore Thunder Bay’s history.  Like the original guidebook, the historical version is in both English and French.  Maps in the guidebook show you where to stop, and include photos and information.  Some of the interesting places you can explore are Connaught Square, Central School House, and the Barton and Fischer Company.

Want to add a bit more exercise to your walks?  Borrow a set of walking poles from your Library!  We have one set of walking poles at each location.  They go out for three weeks at a time, and may be placed on hold.  You can find them in our online catalouge under “walking poles”.  Borrow an eAudiobook from hoopla or OverDrive to listen to while you walk and you’ll be amazed how far you go!

Have you ever been curious about how many steps you have taken in a day?  You can borrow a pedometer from your Library and find out!  Pedometers are listed in the online catalogue under “pedometers”, and come with a guidebook.

In addition to all these wonderful things, your Library will soon be offering garden tools you can borrow!  We’re excited to be working with Roots to Harvest on this initiative. Cedar sheds have been set up at the Brodie and Waverley Libraries to house the tools. Keep an eye on our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter for updates.

Oh, and we do still have books!  With four locations throughout the city, there is likely a Library to which you can walk. Bring a backpack or sturdy bag so you can easily carry home some treasures. Browse our displays, chat with staff, look up your favorite author or try something new.  Stay a while and enjoy a quiet place to read, use our free wifi, visit with friends, play with your children or read a newspaper.

Joanna Aegard

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