SUBMITTED
Heidi Sinnett has been with the Carleton Place Public Library for almost 20 years, and in that time has transformed our library’s traditional Children’s Services to a system that is dynamic, modern, and responsive to the needs and interests of local youth. She has systematically built our children’s collection into one that reflects the needs of local children, and has designed programming that is both beyond the traditional and above and beyond expectations for a children’s librarian.
Most recently, Heidi has been involved in building our Community Assets through her work creating the Library’s Mini-Maker Craft Fair. Far beyond a usual craft fair, Heidi spends seven (7) months with our young participants teaching them key entrepreneurial skills such as how to display merchandise, how to price their work, the importance of chatting with customers, and making change. This is a major undertaking with mentorship that begins in March and culminates in the Craft Fair in November. First offered in 2023, the Mini-Maker Craft Sale was an immediate success with 27 children under the age of 16 creating and selling professional-level arts and crafts to the community. The following year, more than half of the young entrepreneurs reapplied to attend, with the event so successful that it attracted corporate sponsorship. Heidi’s passion, energy, and creativity have inspired many local youth to develop the business skills they can rely on through the rest of their lives.
Heidi’s passion for ensuring local children receive quality library service is felt by every child who visits our library. Her enthusiasm is infectious and has turned many of our young “Community Assets” into lifelong readers.
On Wednesday, June 25th, Heidi was recognized by the Lanark County Child & Youth Services Collaborative as a 2025 Asset Builder — someone who is making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth.
The award was presented to her by representatives of the Collaborative and Lanark County Warden Toby Randell.
SOURCE: July 2nd – CP SCOOP
