Welcome to our feature about upcoming programs from the staff of the Grace Schmidt Room (GSR). We will spotlight new and upcoming program and events on a bimonthly basis that will be of interest to local historians, genealogists, students, researchers and heritage enthusiasts.
You can also find a listing of currently offered GSR programs on the Local History and Genealogy homepage, as well as on the Library’s Event Listing (select Genealogy/Local History in the Event Type box).
Here are our programs for September and October 2023:
Thursday September 21 @ 7pm at Central: Join us for 85Queen: an evening with Marsha Faubert. Author, Marsha Faubert, will be in conversation with Lynne Taylor, Associate Professor of History, University of Waterloo (retired) about the life of Kitchener resident, Wanda (neé Gizmunt) Surdykowski. Displaced by the Soviet advance across Poland, forced to work in German factories to support the Nazi war effort, and then brought to a Quebec textile mill through a questionable Canadian immigration scheme after the war, Wanda rarely spoke of her experience. Faubert’s book, Wanda’s War, deftly reconstructs Wanda’s story and history. Registration required via Eventbrite. Book sale/signing follows.
Saturday September 30 @ 2pm – Central: Interested in learning how to research the history of your home? Join Lauren, GSR Senior Library Assistant for Researching the History of Your Home in the Grace Schmidt Room. Can’t make this session? There’s another session on Tuesday October 17 @ 7pm at Central. Sign up for September 30 or October 17.
Tuesday October 3, @ 6:30pm at Central - Curious about bookbinding? Lauren will show you how to get started with Bookbinding for Beginners. Sign up here.
Have a box of photos or VHS family movies to digitize, but unsure how to start? Join us for Show Me How to Digitize! Appointments are available Monday to Saturday. Call 519-743-0271, ext. 212 or email gsr@kpl.org to make an appointment.
The KPL Genealogy Fair is being held on Saturday November 4, 2023 at Central. Speakers and exhibitors will be announced in early October – stay tuned to our Genealogy Fair page for details! The fair is free and no registration is required!
Cheers, Karen