Library steps up to the plate after Canadian Idol singer a no-show

SACKVILLE - Jordan Croucher may have been a no-show during an African Heritage Month event at the Sackville Public Library last week, but that didn't stop library staff from entertaining the group of youths who turned up.

The former Canadian Idol contestant and local hip hop artist was scheduled to make a Feb. 28 public appearance at the library. The crowd on hand for the event was largely made up of local youths who wanted to see Croucher in person and talk to him about his musical career.

"Aww man, he ditched us," a few of them muttered when it was announced that the event was being cancelled.

"I hadn't seen him before. I saw him on Canadian Idol on TV and I was excited until he didn't show up," said Justus Watkins. "Then I was disappointed."

Attempts by The Weekly News to contact Croucher were unsuccessful.

But the evening wasn't a write-off. Staff launched into action, bringing in laptops, healthy snack foods and engaging the youths in a variety of activities.

The event highlighted the success of the Sackville library's youth programming. Since 2006, staff have created innovative programs and partnerships that target and include young people.

"About two years ago, we found there was a large number of youth that would hang out at the Sackville library. Often they'd talk about the fact there wasn't anything to do or nowhere else to go on Sackville Drive," said Sackville library manager Kathleen Peverill. "They were around the branch and they were there in large numbers. We wanted to engage them in positive ways."

In September 2006, the library started offering an after school drop-in program from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons for children between eight and 13 years old. The initiative was so successful they were able to offer a second program on Wednesday afternoons. Peverill said participation rates are typically 20 or more youths per session. On Thursday evenings, an average of 25 youths attend the library's Teen Zone drop-in program.

These programs have led to partnerships with HRM's recreation department, which provides a staff member to help the library's youth programmer deliver its youth services.

Other partners include the RCMP, a CAP grant that enabled them to purchase eight computers for a laptop lab, and the Cobequid Community Health Board. The library applied for and received a grant from the health board last year. That funding allows them to provide healthy after-school snacks for the youths who participate in the program.

The most recent teen offering at the library is a program called Projections, a partnership with the Bedford-Sackville Rotary Club. The club has paid for a license that allows the library to show feature films. That popular event is followed by pizza and indepth conversation about the films.

Peverill said the library continues to serve its more traditional users, offering programming that ranges from preschool to adult. But she's pleased with the strides they've taken to include local youths.

"The main outcome of the program has been we the staff and the library have been building positive relationships with the kids," Peverill said.

"Once the trust is there, we see the kids come back and they know how to use the library in positive ways. It's a learning experience for them and for us as staff."

Watkins and another Sackville teen, Martell Smith, said the library's youth programs offer a great place to hang out, meet people, and learn.

"They teach you about respect and manners. I've really learned a lot and I've not even been coming here very long," said Watkins.

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca