Libraries in small communities connect patrons to the world. This past week was Saskatchewan Library Week and the theme was Libraries = Possibilities.
With the new system of participation, the province's libraries are even more connected than ever before and it seems the possibilities will just continue to grow.
Libraries give people the opportunity to leave their own homes and immerse themselves in stories taking them to faraway places. Last week one of these places was brought a little closer by a local traveller.
Linda Arsenault spent part of the summer in Cambodia and Wednesday night, at the Maidstone Library, as she showed off photographs and souvenirs while sharing some of the stories about her adventure, she took the audience on a little trip in their chairs. Many of the pictures were of the temples and Arsenault passion for the huge and ancient relics was obvious.
She explained she had a "pinch me moment" as she watched the sunrise over one of the most famous temples. Even the food was an adventure for Arsenault who skipped the unsavoury. The adventure was full.
"I learned what exhausted meant and the difference between tired and exhausted. I had a cockroach in my hair in the middle of the night, I flicked it out of my hair and off the bed and then went back to sleep," she said.
The presentation offered encouragement to travel and expand the mind by venturing out of one's own comfort zone.
This week the celebration of library week will continue with a Silly, Spooky Story Circle for children of all ages. The program will be more silly than scary and will run from 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 27 at the Maidstone Library. There will be milk and cookies and a craft as well as stories and songs.