AMHERST – Want to learn how to belly dance, write stories, knit or play the guitar? If so, Cumberland Public Libraries may have a course for you.
Building on the success of the Tantramar Seniors College and the community school program on Prince Edward Island, the Four Fathers Memorial Library is organizing a series of community classes.
“The Tantramar Seniors College has been such a success in the area and we thought it would be nice to have some courses that everyone can take,” chief librarian Beth Clinton said. “P.E.I. also has a community schools program that has volunteers teaching community members.”
Clinton said the number of courses will depend on volunteers, but she sees a number of possibilities including arts and crafts, writing and creative courses, hobbies and games, recreation and discussion groups.
“Because the classes will be taught by volunteers we don’t know exactly what classes will be offered until we have community members volunteer to teach and share the skills they have to offer,” Clinton said. “If you have a skill that you want to teach and you think people will want to learn let us know.”
Clinton said there will be forms at the library and on its website for volunteers to propose a course to teach. Volunteers will be expected to teach the class for five weeks.
The deadline for course suggestions is March 31.
Once the course list is determined, registration will begin..
There will be no cost to attend programs, but there may be a cost for materials for some programs.
The courses will run on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Four Fathers library in Amherst.
Anyone can participate in the classes, although children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult who must participate in the same class. Library membership is not required, although library staff will be on hand to issue cards if someone asks for one.
The spring session will run from April 22 to May 27.
“If the spring session is successful, we will offer a fall session as well,” Clinton said.
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