As we wrap up 2023, let’s look back at all of the new items and services the Brantford Public Library added throughout the year.

These items can be borrowed for free by library members and membership to the Brantford Public Library is free for anyone living or working in Brantford or residents in the County of Brant, Six Nations and Cambridge.

A highlight of the year was the introduction of a library kiosk at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.

Designed to serve the rapidly growing population in the area, the kiosk offers a selection of about 150 new books for all ages. To use the kiosk, scan your library card and enter your PIN. The kiosk door will open, take the items you want, and close the door. That’s it – the books are automatically checked out.

Local history and genealogy fans were thrilled with the introduction of the revamped digital archives on the library’s website. This greatly expanded service offers thousands of historical photos and documents from Brantford and the area. Hundreds of people from around the world access this service every month.

The library added a number of crafting items in 2023. Creative customers can now borrow an embroidery machine, Cricut Maker, portable green screen, and photo light box. This is in addition to the three sewing machines the library already lent out.

A new health and wellness collection was also created. This collection of materials includes disc golf kits, Spikeball kits, as well as basketballs and soccer balls. Library members can also check out new birdwatching kits that include binoculars and a birding guidebook and even snowshoes.

Curious young customers borrowed the new k8 Robot to learn coding skills and the Early Years Engineering Kits introduced basic engineering concepts with picture books and creative toys.

In addition to these non-traditional library items, the library also adds new books, DVDs, eBooks, Audiobooks and videogames to the collection every week.

The most popular adult fiction title was Desert Star by Michael Connelly. Louise Penny’s A World of Curiosities, meanwhile, proved to be the most popular mystery novel. Unsurprisingly, Prince Harry’s bestselling biography Spare was checked out the most this year. Tom Hank’s movie A Man Called Otto was the most popular DVD borrowed. Young customers checked out Katherine Applegate’s book Odder the most in 2023.

The library’s digital collection has items added daily. These items range from digital newspapers and magazines, television shows, movies and music. Links to these services can be found at brantfordlibrary.ca/digitalservices.

At Your Library is a weekly column provided by the staff of the Brantford Public Library. Readers requiring more information can visit www.brantfordlibrary.ca

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