The Olds Municipal Library is dedicated to increasing literacy, reading and computer skills. To that end, we offer a number of programs for people and skill levels of all ages. Throughout the year, we regularly plan events for Family Literacy Day (January), Freedom to Read Week (February), Summer Reading Program (July - August), National Literacy Day (September), Library Week (October), and Christmas (December). All our events help to encourage the love of reading and learning in our community. We often partner with other organizations to help make the events even more community orientated. Likewise we hold a number of other special events through the year including author talks, writing workshops, and literacy festivals.

Special Events
The Library strives to bring unique and interactive events to the community. From author talks to literacy festivals, we hope to encourage everyone to gather and facilitate communication.
For more information, please see our group on Facebook, or contact the library.

Upcoming Olds College "Business Development Lunch & Learn Sessions"

Time: 11:45 am - 12:45 pm (BYOL -Bring your own lunch)
Location: Bell-E Learning Centre - VC Room, Olds College

Sessions:

January 25 2010
Let's Build (Re-Build) a Website - How to make your Web work
for your Business

February 22 2010
The Marketing Plan - Your Pathway to Profits

March 29 2010
Advertising That Really Works - Making it Count

April 26 2010
Do your Customers Love You? Using a CRM System in your Business

If you want to attend any of these sessions please register with Susan Read at the College. Her contact info is 403-556-4763.

The Brown Bag Lunch Series

Starts Jan. 19th 2010
The Third Tuesday of every month
From 12:15-12:45
@ The Olds Library

Get connected with people in your community. Learn more about organizations and ways of life!
Join us at the Olds Library on January 19th. Bring your lunch, your thoughts and opinions as you discover Olds on a whole new level.
Contact the Olds Library for more details.

Talented Tweens

Starts January 19th 2010
Every Tuesday for 6 weeks in a row
From 3:30-5:00
Ages 9-12

A art and craft session at the Olds Library for youth ages 9-12.
This 6 week session will introduce you to ways to be creative,have fun and learn new things through arts and crafts.

Registration starts Jan. 4th. Contact the Olds library for more details.

Writing Your Memoir
(2 Hours; up to 16 participants)

Starts Friday April 23
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Fee:$5.00

Are you interested in writing your life history, but don't know where to begin, what to put in, or what to leave out? Writing memoir is a way to figure out who you used to be and how you became who you are. In this session, we will share ideas for sifting through old memories to find the writer within. You will need to bring a pen and notebook and your desire to write and learn.

Conversational French

Learn French for everyday use. Topics covered will be travel, work, family and French cultural holidays. Each unit will include some basic grammar, verb conjugations, vocabulary and discussion on cultural norms. This course will be interactive.
Mondays: Apr 12-May 17
Times: 5-7pm
Fees: $50/6 week course
Min. 6 /Max.15 registrants

Community Programs
Part of the mandate of the Olds Municipal Library is to foster communication and literacy throughout the entire community. With our Community Programs, we hope to bring together all members of the community - be they young or old, new or established - in an atmosphere of learning and sharing.

We offer Family Games Nights, ESl Coffee House, English Language Learning Mentor Program.

Family Games Night
Just what it says. Come to the library and have fun with the whole family and one of our engrossing board games. Static games not your thing? Wii ♥ the Library! Come play on the library's Nintendo Wii interactive video game system. Games include: Rock Band, Mario Party 8, Puzzle Quest, Smarty Pants and Wii Sports!
The free fun happens on the last Thursday of every month from 6pm to 8pm. Just drop in and have fun!

ESL Coffee House
In partnership with Bean Brokers Cappuccino & Dessert Bar, the Olds Municipal Library is proud to present a series of culture cafés to help newcomers and long time residents get to know each other and learn a bit about the world together.
This program is for people who are wanting to practice their English, and for people who want to help others to practice their English.
The first cup of coffee is free of charge (provided by Welcoming Communities).

DatesSecond Thursday of Every Month
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Location: Bean Brokers (4513 52 Avenue Olds 403-556-1069).

English Language Learning Mentor Program
The ELL Mentor Program is for people who would like a new friend to practice their English with!
Anyone interested in being mentored and having a new friend can fill out a form at the library. We will match you with the most suitable candidate for your needs.

We are still looking for applicants interested in mentoring someone from another culture. If you are interested in being a mentor, please apply in person at the library.

This program is offered free of charge.

Children's and Youth Programs
The best way to encourage reading amongst children and youth is to make it fun and interactive! That's the aim of our children's and youth programs. We offer programs designed to foster a love of reading and library culture in young people.

Story Hour for 3, 4 or 5 year olds
Experience a semi-structured group activity, which includes stories, crafts, songs and games. Children Become familiar with the library and its routines, and are encouraged to enjoy books and reading. We offer the program on three separate days, so choose the day best for you!

Tuesdays: 10:00am - 11:00am
Wednesdays: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Thursdays: 10:00am - 11:00pm

Session 1:Jan 19th - Feb 25th, 2010.

Session 2:Mar 9th - Apr 15th, 2010.

Session 3:Apr 27th - Jun 3rd, 2010.

Fee: $20 per child per 6 week session (maximum $40 per family).
Contact us to register or for more information.

Rhyme Time
A fun, interactive program for parents and their children from infants to 3 1/2 years. Participants learn a variety of songs, rhymes, and finger plays to do with their children, as well as participate in story telling.
For more information contact Mountain View Community Literacy at 556-3045.

Family Games Night
Just what it says. Come to the library and have fun with the whole family and one of our engrossing board games.
The free fun happens on the last Thursday of every month from 6pm to 8pm. Just drop in and have fun!

TeenZone
A new program, for teens only! Tired of adults taking up all the computers? Want to play Rock Band but lack the space and equipment? No problem, your library has you covered.
The library will be open late on the last Saturday of the month* for TeenZone. All library services will be available - computers, book service, reading space - and the Wii will be available for bookings! Relax at the library without those pesky adults and with snacks! (Okay, so, one adult will be there to run the library).

For more information, check out the TeenZone page.
*TeenZone may be moved to a different date due to public holidays or special events. Be sure to check the webpage for the most up-to-date information.

Book and Writing Clubs
Looking for a good book? Are you writing one? The Olds Library has you covered with our book clubs and writing club! Enjoy lively discussions and helpful advice with a group of like-minded individuals.

We offer Wednesday Night Book Club (Book Club 1), Friday Book Club (Book Club 2) and Novel Ideas Writing Club.
To learn more about our clubs, click here.

Computer Courses
Frustrated by your computer? Want to know the ins and outs of Microsoft Office? Need to be internet saavy? Try one of our computer courses, and get the help you need.
Dates: .Feb. 20th - Mar. 27th
Times: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $40.00 For a six week course
Location:Olds Municipal Library

One on One Computer Courses
The Olds Municipal Library One on One Computer Courses are designed to make users comfortable with computers and technology by providing relevant background information and developing the skill set needed to work effectively with today's technology.

These courses are semi-structured to allow you the freedom needed to address your individual concerns. So bring your questions and problems, and let us help you out!

Please contact us to discuss your needs and book an appointment; all lessons must be booked at least one day in advance. All lessons are charged at an hourly rate of $25.

Microsoft Office 2007
Learn the basics of Microsoft Office! Become more proficient with your word processing and spreadsheet skills and gain valuable knowledge to add to your resume. We teach the basics of Word, Excel, and Power-Point.

Dates: .Feb. 16th - Mar. 30th
Times: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Fee: $65.00 For 7 week course
Location:Olds Municipal Library

Computers for Beginners
By discussing the world of computers you will learn the basics of computer management. Learn how to use Windows, basic word processing, and basic internet use. Also learn the basics of computer hardware, printers, mice and much, much more!

Dates: .Oct. 17th - Nov. 21st
Times: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Location:Olds Municipal Library

Social Networking

The Olds Municipal Library is Pleased to present a series of Social Networking Courses. Information on the courses is below. If you wish to register please contact the library by email oml2@libs.prl.ab.ca or by phone 403-556-6460. Please feel free to pass this information on.

Get your Face Out There - Facebook 101
More than 40 million active users with 50% of those users logging in on any given day. Facebook is the widest used Social Networking sites in the world. This media has fast become a tool for many businesses and non-profit organizations. You two can be utilizing the vast audience of Facebook to advertise your services. Organizations can create fan pages, advertisements, and calendars of events to notify their followers of what they have to offer. How does it all work? You will learn how to use facebook to promote your business or organization in this course.
Dates: March 10th 6:30 - 9:30

Don't be a Twit... Tweet
What is twitter? Why would anyone want to use it? How do you get started? These are many questions that will be answered in this course. Twitter is a free social networking and microblogging service that enable communication! Businesses use twitter to advertise their products and communicate with customers. Politicians use twitter to communicate with their constituents. Non-profits use twitter to let people know about events. Twitter is fast becoming one of the primary ways people get informed. Learn how to use twitter for business and personal use.
Date: March 24th 6:30 - 9:30

Fees: $20.00 for both or 15.00 each

Location: Olds Municipal Library

What is the Event Calendar?
The event calendar is a feature of Microsoft Outlook 2007 which allows users to share public calendars with one another. We have created a special calendar which when downloaded and subscribed to, allows you to view at home, our upcoming events and programs. When we update our calendar here at the library, it is automatically updated at your home computer. Keep informed as to what's going on in your library!
Simply click on this link to download the calendar. Click on "Launch Application" to start Outlook, and when prompted click "Yes" to subscribe to our calendar.
If you prefer, you may choose to download a static calendar for use with Microsoft Outlook 2007. It will not update automatically. For this option, please click here.
We receive no information about you, and you can delete the calendar at any time (see Microsoft Outlook's Help Section for more information).