Growing a garden city : how farmers, first graders, counselors, troubled teens, foodies, a homeless shelter chef, single mothers, and more are transforming themselves and their neighborhoods through the intersection of local agriculture and community--and how you can, too by Jeremy N. Smith ; foreword by Bill McKibben ; photographs by Chad Harder and Sepp Jannotta — This book tells the true story of a small group of people created a community garden and in doing so created a whole new experience for themselves and many others. Not only is the story heartwarming and inspiring, the book itself is gorgeous, with full-color photos that bring the text to life.

Local community leaders will share both memories and proposals for building inter-faith bridges at an observance of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, hosted by the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs (MCWS). The event will be held at the group's headquarters, located at 40440 Palmer Road, on Sunday, September 11 at 2:30 PM. The event is free and open to the public, but donations of non-perishable items for local food pantries are encouraged.

For more information, contact Aamina Ahmed (248-894-7081) or Anne Marie Graham Hudak (734-502-2508).

Expect to see lemonade stands dotting the Canton landscape on June 12 as the first-ever Lemonade Day Detroit hits the streets. It's part of a metro-wide project with which CPL is proud to partner. From the Lemonade Day website:

Lemonade Day is a nation-wide event that teaches kids the skills they need to be successful in the future. Youth learn to set goals, develop a business plan, establish a budget, seek investors, provide customer service, and give back to the community.

Want to get involved? Register online, or get a registration form at the Children's Desk here at the library. Once registered, you can get your backpack full of start up materials at the same desk. Need help? CPL librarians can point you toward some great resources to help your lemonade stand stand out. Good luck and happy selling!

Since 1963, May has been declared Older Americans Month by the Agency on Aging. The theme of this year's celebration — Older Americans: Connecting the Community — pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities. It also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives.

Last year, you helped us collect over 17,000 diapers to benefit the Canton-based Detroit Area Diaper Bank. This year, we're going for a truck full. Fat Chef in a Little Coat owners Steve and David Hulett have donated a truck for the cause and our director, Eva Davis, will camp out while we fill it.

We're asking for your help to "Stuff the Truck" so bring diapers, any brand or size, baby through adult, to the library on November 17 and 18. Open packages, pull ups and swim diapers are all acceptable; if diapers are loose, please label with the size.

The Detroit Area Diaper Bank is a nonprofit charitable organization serving SE Michigan to meet the need for diapers at partner agencies working with people in crisis. Please help support those in need in our community with your donation.

Our next quarterly volunteer orientation will be this month. We are especially looking for volunteers who will be available and willing to put in a few concentrated hours each month to help keep the library the beautiful and welcoming space it is. We specifically need someone to help us dust the shelves and pick up the grounds. So, if you are in touch with your inner Martha Stewart, fill out a volunteer application form and turn it in to the Reception Desk before September 19.

November 18 is Diaper Day at the library as we partner with the Canton-based Detroit Area Diaper Bank in their 30,000 by Thanksgiving Diaper Drive. You can participate by dropping off your donation of diapers at the library on November 18. The Diaper Bank needs diapers and pull-ups in any brand or size, baby through adult. Open packages are acceptable.

The Detroit Area Diaper Bank is a nonprofit charitable organization serving SE Michigan. They work to meet the need for diapers at partner agencies working with people in crisis. The cost of diapers is not covered by WIC, food stamps and, in most circumstances, Medicare, and many in our community are in need. Please bring your diaper donation to the Reception Desk on November 18, and thank you for helping to support our community.

If you've been keeping up with Thorndyke's blog, you probably know we had some serious trick-or-treating going on at the library yesterday. What you might not know is that we're also going to be at the trick-or-treat parade at the Summit tomorrow! If you're going to be there, keep an eye out for librarians in costume handing out treats. Our library staff really gets around Canton; just last week we were at IKEA Metro Detroit, where they let us have a storytime right in the middle of their store! So keep an eye out for future events: you never know where the library might turn up.

The Canton Public Library is governed by a six-member Library Board of Trustees, made up of community members who are elected every four years on a nonpartisan ballot. The Board generally meets at 7:30PM on the third Thursday of each month. The public is invited to attend.