Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library

Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library

Writer's Resources
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Writer's Resources @ PARL

Writer in Residence Program

Since 2005, the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library has been pleased to offer our community the PARL Writer-in-Residence program, in partnership with the support of from our Regional Library Board, and the occasional grant from the Canada Council for the Arts' Author Residency program, and the Nova Scotia Department of Heritage, Culture & Tourism (now Communities, Culture & Heritage).

The Writer-in-Residence acts as a mentor to writers (and readers) in our community of all ages and abilities (from the budding new wordsmiths to 'old hands' at the trade, from hobbyists to hardened professionals) by giving workshops, reviewing manuscripts, providing criticism and offering advice about publishing. The aim of this program is to provide an important access point for emerging writers into the world of writing and publishing, at a grass-roots level while also encouraging professional writing networking opportunities in rural communities. The Writer-in-Residence offers encouragement, support and a critical eye to beginning writers who are looking to express their literacy voice as well as more established writers who desire a professional appraisal of their work.

The 2011- 2012 Writer-in-Residence @ PARL is Monica Graham. Previous PARL Writers-in-Residence include Maureen Hull, Gary Blackwood, Norene Smiley, Linda Little, Harry Thurston, Anne Simpson and Sheldon Currie.

WRITING WORKSHOPS & MENTORING

The Writer-in-Residence at the library primarily spends the fall in Pictou County and the winter in Antigonish County at each of the various library branches. The Writer-in-Residence provides numerous writing workshops for youth and adults of all genres, from composing memoirs, crafting poetry to writing articles for magazines, author readings & book launches, and mentorship opportunities for budding wordsmiths.
Personal mentoring consultations can be arranged by calling Steve (PARL Outreach Services - Pictou County, 755-6031; or toll-free 1(866)779-7761), or Elizabeth (PARL Outreach Services- Antigonish County, 863-2486) for more information, and to reserve an appointment.

Writers Resources

  • Need to assign an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) to your work? Please visit Library & Archives Canada/ Bibliothèque et Archives Canada (LAC-BAC), the Canadian ISBN Service System (CISS) to register your written work, and have an ISBN assigned to your document. En français
  • To copyright your intellectual works, please visit the Canadian Intellectual Property Office/Office de la propriétés intellectuelle du Canada (CIPO/OPIC) to register the creative ownership of your intellectual property -. En français.
  • The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency : … Writer? Visual Artist? Access Copyright facilitates the royalty payments from the reproduction of your intellectual work. Serving the creative Canadian community since 1988. For more information, please visit. En français, c’est le même adresse.
    Registration with Access Copyright is free… Reproduction of your content shouldn’t be.

Children`s Writing Workshops

In the spring & summer months, PARL offers several special children`s writing workshops. In addition, the Writer-in-Residence will work with teen and youth reading clubs, and writing groups at several of the library branches.

Author readings

Throughout the year, in conjunction with the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia and several local and national publishing companies, PARL will offer author readings by writers on book tours.

Wireless HotSpots

All our library branches are C@P sites, and therefore have Wireless internet access available in the library, as well as nearby along the streetscape.

Computers, Printers & Photocopiers!

At all our library branches, we have several computer terminals available for public use by reservation. In addition, we have printers and photocopiers available at all branches that maybe be used for a small printing fee. The River John, New Glasgow, and Stellarton libraries also have FAX machines that may be used by the public to send FAXes, for a small fee.

The Collection!

Of course, we are the library, and we have books! From dictionaries to thesauri, the classics to the latest bestseller are available for library patron use. Also new this year is the BARA project in Nova Scotia – Borrow Anywhere Return Anywhere. With your PARL library card, you may apply for a library card at any other regional public library or college and university library to borrow material. The Inter Library Loan service is still available through the regional library headquarters.

The online library catalogue is available 24-7, and materials may be requested, reserved and delivered to your local branch of choice. In addition, if there`s something you`re looking for and you cannot find it presently in our library collection, please let us know by filling out a Book Request Form, or go to our Information Desks & Circulation/Check out Counters.

Program rooms & offices

Our Program rooms at New Glasgow, Westville, Pictou, and River John Libraries are available for community group use, when available. Please contact each library branch to check on room availability and to make reservations.

Two small working office spaces are available for a small fee, upon reservation at the Westville and River John libraries. Please contact the library to check on room availability and to make reservations.