Build a strong reading habit with the local library

Fall is settling in and with just a few more weeks until winter shows up, it’s a great time to re-build a strong reading habit for the whole family, with an assist from the local library and all it has to offer.

Curling up under a blanket with a good book and a hot drink while the cold creeps around your door is a fine way to fend off the chilly weather. But before you get too comfy, you’ll want to get a few good books on deck. September is “Library Card Sign-up Month” and October is Reading Month. Alex Rogowsky, manager of programming and community services, at the Brandon Public Library, shared a few pointers on getting the most you can out of that card to get you through the fall and winter.

Under the umbrella of the Western Manitoba Regional Library (WMRL), Brandon has two branches, one downtown at Unit 1, 710 Rosser Ave., and in the Shoppers Mall at Unit 50A 1570-18th Street. Other branch locations throughout the region can be found at the WMRL website: wmrl.ca.

To sign up for a card, you will need to visit in person and bring a piece of identification. This could be a driver’s licence, a Manitoba health card, or anything that has your name and mailing address on it.

“Your library card will work at both branches, as well as at our rural branches in Carberry, Glenboro, Hartney and Neepawa,” Rogowsky said.

“Your card won’t need to be renewed for five years. Your card gets you access to our own app that you can use to manage your account.”

The WMRL app is free and it can be found at your app store. Just search for WMRL to download into your phone or tablet. Once you’ve set up your account, it can be used to search the catalogue, renew or place books on hold, and check the status of your holds. The app has other useful features to help readers explore services listed on the library website.

Do take time to investigate the website. You’ll find a list of staff who can help you find books and navigate e-resources and onsite computers. Patrons can use their cards and PINs to access the computers. Non-patrons can get limited access with an assist from the staff. Computer resources include internet access, word processing and library databases. You can print with a “per copy charge.” Wifi can be accessed for free at all WMRL branches during open hours.

A regular reading habit is so good for so many reasons. For example, a study by Yu-Hung Chang, I-Chien Wu, Chao A Hsiung, found regular reading can prevent long-term cognitive decline in seniors. A sample of 1,962 Taiwanese aged 64 and older, were followed through four series of surveys over a 14-year span. The study demonstrated that frequent reading reduced, in the long term, risk of cognitive decline in seniors regardless of education level.

Another study: “A Chapter a Day – Association of Book Reading with Longevity,” conducted by Avni Bavishi, Martin D. Slade, and Becca R. Levy, found that reading books actually provided a survival advantage for the elderly, regardless of sex, wealth or education. It is worthwhile to note that the advantages were greater with book reading than with newspapers or magazines. Both of these studies can be found at the National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine.

But don’t wait until you’re ready to retire. While these studies focussed on the benefits of reading in later life, building that habit early in life is really important. A strong book-reading habit can be the perfect antidote for too much screen time for all ages. The public library is the place to get the “prescription.”

“Of course, there are all kinds of physical books,” says Rogowsky. “Also within the library are board games, DVDs, magazines and puzzles.

“You can also use your library card to access our e-resources, which include audiobooks, ebooks, comics, graphic novels, movies, TV series, recipes, research and a newspaper archive.”

Additional services include The Westman Oral History collection, services for people who are blind or have low vision and interlibrary loans, which are so important to make books available for rural readers. Access to these services is available at 204-727-6648 (downtown) or 204-725-9901 (Shoppers Mall) or with staff onsite.

The library no longer charges late fees. Charges only kick in if you damage or lose a book you have checked out.

Upcoming events at the Brandon branch include: Creative Writing Program, Book Clubs, Scrabble and Chess Clubs, Family Storytime, B is for Baby, Book Binding, Stitching in the Stacks, and Pencil Drawing.

“Some of these programs require sign-up, and others you can just walk in to,” Rogowsky said.

“There’s no cost to attend any of our programs.”

If you need to get the kids out of the house on a cold or rainy day, both Brandon branches have play-friendly spaces for them.

Alex Rogowsky says the staff at the regional libraries work hard to ensure the libraries are welcoming to all. So get down to the public library this month to sign up for a card and, as that master of the malapropism Krusty the Clown once quipped: “Give a hoot, read a book!“

Patrons can find contact information, and updates for library events and activities on the website (wmrl.ca), on Instagram: wmrlibrary and at facebook.com/wmrlibrary.

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