A new and inspiring collaboration to fill up on history and fun!

MEDIA RELEASE

Great things can happen when local organizations work together. It is in this spirit that the Canadian Museum of History is pleased to share the news of fresh partnerships with the Ottawa Public Library and the Bibliothèque de Gatineau. With each of these collaborations, we further our common goal to educate and engage young people in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

“We are delighted to partner with local libraries that value education as much as we do,” said Allison Eagen, Director of Learning and Engagement at the Canadian Museum of History. “Finding fun new ways to connect with young people in our space and also to bring the Museum out into the community is definitely a win for all organizations involved.”

The Museum’s partnership with the Bibliothèque de Gatineau will see an animator organize a French and English monthly Storytime at the Museum. The series of free Storytime events started in May and repeats on the third Sunday of every month until September. The next Storytime, on June 16, will feature the book Nibi’s Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco.

“It’s a wonderful initiative! Storytime at the Museum offers an enriching experience for little ones, where the discovery of new stories mingles with that of other forms of art and culture,” said Nancy Bilodeau, the librarian in charge of youth programming. “In addition to developing their imagination and curiosity, this multidisciplinary approach can also help children better understand the world around them. It’s a fantastic way for the Bibliothèque de Gatineau to promote reading.”

The Ottawa Public Library partnership will begin this summer, with the Museum’s History Box travelling to library branches to be incorporated into their Summer Reading program through the months of July and August. The History Box is a hands-on learning experience that contains authentic and reproduction artifacts related to Canada’s history. Coming from across the country, and highlighting varied perspectives, these expertly curated objects illuminate the richness and diversity of the Canadian experience. The History Boxes are designed to start conversations about different periods in Canada’s history.

“The Ottawa Public Library is very excited to incorporate these boxes into our children’s summer programming,” said Emma MacMillan, Librarian, Program Development, at the Ottawa Public Library. “They will be visiting 16 of our branch locations, so make sure to check out whether the location nearest you will be hosting one!”

To find out more about the Museum’s upcoming Storytime schedule, please visit historymuseum.ca. To learn more about the various programs and activities of the Ottawa Public Library and the Bibliothèque de Gatineau, visit their respective websites at biblioottawalibrary.ca and gatineau.ca.

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