By Beverly Ewart
Today isn’t going according to yesterday’s agenda!
Due to unplanned life-circumstances, I was intrigued when I unboxed Maya Shankar’s book. The title, The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans, resonated with me. I thought that perhaps reading the rest of the book might do me some good. Unexpected circumstances can easily lead to discouragement, but I’m choosing not to give in to that impulse.
Hoping for a fresh perspective, I have checked out the book. Once I’ve returned it, I hope you’ll consider checking it out as well.
The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans by Maya Shankar. A moving, revelatory exploration of the ways we can find meaning in the tumult of change, from a renowned cognitive scientist and host of the podcast A Slight Change of Plans. Life has a way of thwarting our best-laid plans. Out of nowhere you lose a job, end a relationship, get an unexpected diagnosis, or suffer some other trick of fate. When your world is turned upside down like this, it can feel like you’re free-falling into the unknown. Maya Shankar has spent decades researching people’s interior lives. When an unexpected change in her life left her feeling isolated and despondent, she was convinced she must have missed something. Had others figured out how to do change better? She sought out people who had undergone life-altering, extraordinary change and asked them to tell her everything. The process of listening deeply as others recounted their experiences led her to surprising insights that can help us all better navigate personal upheaval. She shares their intimate, illuminating stories: a mother afraid to connect with her critically ill child, an incarcerated man searching for a new path forward, a writer muted by the shame of a family secret. Each had to recognize that they were shackled by a particular way of thinking before they were able to find a different perspective that unlocked new and freeing possibilities. They realized that the ideas they had long taken for granted-about how the world works, about themselves, about where they found meaning or safety-could be radically reconsidered. Drawing on the latest scientific research, Shankar invites us to explore who we can become on the other side of seismic change. With the right perspective, what begins as a destabilizing and frightening experience has the potential to set off a process of discovery that can crack open a deeper understanding of who we are and the potential within us. ~ Publisher.
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Friends Winterfest Raffle! The Friends of Canton Free Library will celebrate Winterfest with a raffle for a large basket of various items from local businesses and individuals. The basket overflows with beautiful handmade crafts, items from Adirondack Fragrance Farm and St. Lawrence Valley Roasters, children’s games and clothing, and local business coupons. View the basket of items and purchase your tickets at the front desk of CFL during Winterfest, February 6–15, 2026. Tickets are $5 for one ticket or $20 for five tickets, and the drawing will be on Feb. 18th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Kick-off event for NoCo Seed Library Saturday, February 21 from 10:30-11:30am at the Canton Free Library:
Together with the Canton Free Library, Master Gardener Volunteers from CCE are planning a free event called “Swap it – Seed it,” a seed exchange and seed starting demonstration. This event will draw attention to the new NoCo Seed Library which will be located within the Canton Free Library. Available year round, the NoCo Seed Library will house free seeds and information for gardeners. Whether you are excited to grow some new varieties, or you’re simply looking for some reliable green beans and cucumbers this summer, come join us for the “Swap it – Seed it” seed exchange on Saturday, February 21 from 10:30-11:30am at the Canton Free Library. A diversity of seeds – whether heirloom, organic, commercial, or locally saved – will be available at the event and beyond. Seed donations are welcomed but not required, and refreshments will be provided. Whether your goal is a beautiful landscape, a new learning opportunity, increased food security, or an activity to do with youth, growing your own plants has many benefits, and CCE Master Gardener Volunteers are ready to support you along the way. Email Erica at ENL2@cornell.edu with questions.
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CFL will be closed for Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 16, 2026.
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Chess Club at CFL meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3–4. Tuesday is free play with Ryan Nolan and designed for those that have some experience.
Thursday’s weekly session is with Zachary Woodley-White and is designed for beginners who would like to learn how to play. We offer rudimentary instruction and a judgement free space for younger players to establish and build on their fundamentals. No registration needed, ages 12 and below. Questions? Contact Zach at zwoodleywhite@ncls.org
Grab a board, find a friend, and start a game at any open table in the Main Reading Room. Other board games are available or bring your own.
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TEEN ANIME meets on Thursdays from 5-7pm.
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Children’s Programming at the Canton Free Library:
O-17 months: Baby Storytime is for our library babies and their caregivers. We’ll share books, bounce rhymes, songs, finger plays, lots of smiles, and then close with social/play time. Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 am. No registration is needed.
18-35 months: Toddler Storytime for children and their caregivers. We’ll share books, rhymes, music, movement, and lots more early literacy fun! Mondays 10:30-11:00 am. No registration is necessary during the school year.
3-5 years: Preschool Storytime is for children and their caregivers. Stories, songs, movement, crafts, friends, and lots of fun! Wednesdays 10:30-11:15 am. No registration is needed during the school year.
K-2nd grade: Each month at Books and Beyond, we’ll explore themes with books, activities, games, and art. Books and Beyond meets February 19 from 3-4 pm. Registration for is required by February 16.
3rd-6th grade: Tween Time offers a mix of cool crafts, art exploration, games, STEAM, and book talks of popular and classic literature. Tween Time meets on February 26th from 3-4 pm. Registration for is required by February 23.
K-6th grade: Lego Club: A different challenge/theme will be given at the start of each meeting. Lego Club meets on February 23 from 3:00-4:00pm. Registration is required by February 20, but it fills fast! Don’t wait!
Ages 5-up: Arts After School: March 4, 3-4pm. Artist Kris Rozelle will lead a different art project each month for kids 5 and up. Arts After School is free, but registration is needed for each class. Since class size is limited, please let us know if your registered child cannot attend so another child may have their spot. Thanks!
Battle of the Books: The 2026 list for the NCLS Battle of the Books for children in grades 4-6 is out! It may be found on our website, our Facebook page, or you may pick up a copy in the children’s room at the library.
For questions or registration, email Ms. Val at vwhite@ncls.org or
call 315-386-3712 ext. 4
Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Free Library and the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau.
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MORLEY BRANCH is open Tuesday 1pm-3pm; Wednesday 4pm-6pm; Thursday 10am-12pm. Call for more information: (315) 379-0066.
RENSSELAER FALLS BRANCH is open on Tuesdays from 11am – 5pm. Call the library at (315) 344-4155 for more information.
CANTON BRANCH is open 9am-6pm Monday – Friday; 10am-3pm Saturday. Contact us at (315) 386-3712 or cantonfreelibrary.org.