The Jasper Municipal Library is giving locals the opportunity to dive into the world of medicinal plants, healing foods and homeopathy. At the beginning of August, the library launched Community Conversations, a weekly program dedicated to teaching people about different topics each month.
After racking her brain, the library鈥檚 adult programmer, Janeen Keelan decided this month鈥檚 theme would be about the healing arts.
鈥淲e looked at our library loans and noticed that people are very interested in their health and alternative healing,鈥� Keelan said. 鈥淭hese are the kinds of books locals are ordering from other libraries so we know that the interest is there.鈥�
The program kicked off August 3 with a medicinal plant walk with local Kate Cardinal. Cardinal took attendees out on Jasper鈥檚 trails, highlighting various edible and useful plants.
The second healing arts talk takes place on August 10 and will be about writing for wellness. During the session Paula Klassen will teach people about a reflective journaling method for self-discovery, self-care, wellness and creativity. The following sessions will revolve around homeopathy, healing foods and overall wellness. The sessions are held every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and are about 30 minutes long.
鈥淲e decided to do community conversations to consolidate our programming,鈥� Keelan said. 鈥淲e have so many great experts and enthusiasts that are passionate about a lot of things and we like to give those people a platform to share their knowledge.鈥�
Keelan added that if the August sessions go well then she would like to see this become a regular fixture to the library鈥檚 programs, switching up the program鈥檚 theme each month.
鈥淓ven if just a few people come out each week then that鈥檚 enough for us,鈥� Keelan said.
Aside from community conversations, the library is also offering a weekly seniors reading club. Every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. library staff read with seniors. The reading material varies each week.
鈥淎 lot of it is reading with the seniors, but really anyone is welcome,鈥� Keelan said. 鈥淲e pick simple or interesting or funny stories. Basically it鈥檚 just like story time but for adults.鈥�
There are also story time programs for children throughout the week and a teen program during the summer.
And for those who truly believe the pen is mightier than the sword, the Jasper Amnesty International Group, a non-governmental organization focused on human rights, is starting up a letter-writing club. Every second Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. attendees are invited to compose and send appeals to government officials who have the power to stop human rights violations.
For those who prefer to dabble in the more creative realm of writing, the library is re-launching Uncalibrated鈥揳 creative writing group.
The group was first established in 2003, but folded five years later after many of the group鈥檚 core members moved away or onto other endeavours. Now that the library has moved into its new building, Keelan said the time was right to re-launch the weekly writing group.
鈥淒uring the past month we鈥檝e been settling in well,鈥� Keelan said. 鈥淲e all love the new facility and now we really want to utilize it by providing lots of programs.鈥�
For any questions regarding any of the library鈥檚 programs contact [email protected].
Kayla Byrne
[email protected]
