Library Programs

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

Register for programs with titles at Xplor Recreation

NOTE: Registration ends one week before program start date

Family Storytime: Drop-in program

Join us as we enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and finger-plays and share good times together. Every Saturday, starting Jan. 7 to June 24 Time: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

Ages: 6 months to 5 years

Location: Picture Book Area

Cost: FREE

Baby and Toddler Storytime: Drop-in program

Let’s have fun with songs and fingerplays for children under 3 years old. Parent/caregiver accompaniment required. Maximum 15 participants.

Tues., July 4 to August 22

Time: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

Ages: 6 months to 35 months

Location: Program Room

Cost: FREE

Preschool/Emerging Readers

Storytime: Drop-in program

Join us for stories, songs, play rhymes and a movie. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to stay in the room for younger ages. Maximum 15 participants.

Tues., July 4 to August 22

Time: 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

Ages: 3 to 6 years

Location: Story Room

Cost: FREE

Bedtime Storytime at Riverwalk

Commons Story Pod: Drop-in program

This summer make bedtime for the little ones a special occasion with stories read by library staff outside at the Riverwalk Commons Story Pod. Children 3 to 6 years and their families will enjoy a unique venue for stories, songs and rhymes, outside on a warm summer evening. Wed., July 5 to August 9

Time: 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Ages: 3 to 6 years, families

Location: River Walk Commons

Cost: FREE

Drag Queen Storytime with the Haus of Devereaux:

Drop-in program

Don’t miss this fun, family event in celebration of Pride Month and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Featuring the wonderful E’Claire Devereaux and Athena Vegas, join us for stories, crafts and plenty of fun for everyone! Storytime sessions are at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Sat., June 3

Time: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Ages: Families

Location: Multipurpose Room

Cost: FREE

Home Alone

Designed for the older child to give them basic emergency and safety training. Topics include: handling phone calls, people at the door, 911 emergencies, basic first aid, and at home do’s and don’ts. Presented by St. John Ambulance.

Registration required.

Fri., June 2

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Ages: 8 -11 years

Location: Multipurpose Room

Cost: $44 per child

Blox Builders Club with LEGO: Drop-in Program

Bring your imagination and create your own world with Lego. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sat., April 1 – June 24 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Ages: 4 years and up

Location: Story Room

Cost: FREE

Chess in the Library – Drop-in program

Love playing chess? Want to learn? Here’s your opportunity to play a good game with your peers, or learn how to play. Chess in the Library is an organization whose mission is to promote chess across Canada through its student volunteer-run program at libraries. For more information, visit the Chess in the Library website. Make your move and have a great time playing chess at NPL.

Every Saturday

Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Ages: 8 years and up

Location: Program Room

Cost: FREE

Td Summer Reading Club 2023

It’s a summer tradition: the TD Summer Reading Club for kids 3 to 5 and 6 to 12 is back! Do you like cool stuff, amazing facts and mysterious fiction? What makes you curious and creative? Explore your neighbourhood, library and the world around you. Show off your collections and creations. Have fun collaborating and creating new things with others. Discover mysterious, bizarre and intriguing stories gathered from near and far and from our imaginations. What extraordinary treasures will you collect to remember your epic adventures this summer?

You can join in the fun by registering online through the Beanstack reading challenge platform. Participants log the books they read, earn badges, a completion certificate, and get a rewards package that can be picked up at the library from August 22 to September 23. Prize draws will also take place near the end of summer. Children’s Services have organized several summer reading club events for participants.

Register for a treasure of great reading

Visit the TD Summer Reading Club webpage for more reading fun

You can also look for the Online Reading button on the NPL website. You will find a number of reading challenges for the whole family. The TD Summer Reading Club for children begins June 17 for all age groups.

TD Summer Reading Club Launch: Debbie’s Imaginary Balloon World

A show full of fantastic balloon creations that will absolutely astound you. Debbie makes balloons fly through the air, balances them on her nose, creates a balloon dog behind her back, and lots of other antics. Participants will step into an imaginary balloon world with the Three Little Piggy’s and the Big Bad Wolf. Watch in amazement as Debbie transforms three volunteers into balloon animals!

Sat., June 17

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Ages: 3 years and up

Location: Multipurpose Room

Cost: $7 per person

Summer Reading Club for kids 3-5 and 6-8

Programs

Register for programs with titles at Xplor Recreation

NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date

Members of the TD Summer Reading Club and others are welcome to join us for a fun time of activities, games, and stories. Registration required for each individual date you want to attend.

Discover the World of Turtles

Wednesday, July 5

Ages: 3-5 years

Learn some interesting and amazing facts about turtles. What do they eat? Where do they live? And are they really one of the slowest animals on earth? All while making an awesome turtle suncatcher to hang in a window.

What Does Your Garden Grow?

Wednesday, July 12

Ages: 6-8 years

Find out as we decorate a pot, then plant some mystery seeds in it. We’ll also read some gardening stories. Take your pot home and keep an eye on it to see just what begins to bloom.

Come Rain or Shine

Wednesday, July 19

Ages: 3-5 years

Children will have fun with weather-themed stories and songs, and then try not to be blown away as they create their very own tornadoes.

A Puzzling Scavenger Hunt

Wednesday, July 26

Ages: 6-8 years

Children will have fun working together to follow clues leading them to puzzle pieces hidden around the children’s department. Once all the pieces have been found, they’ll be surprised with the results after putting the puzzle together.

All of the above programs

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Location: Program Room

Cost: Free

Investigate It: Summer Reading Club programs for kids 7 to 10

Register for programs with titles at Xplor Recreation

NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date

Each Wednesday children will have an opportunity to enjoy a program all about exploring, and discovery that will include a fun craft. Registration is required for each individual date you want to attend.

Walking Water and Other Fun Experiments

Wednesday, August 2

Ages: 7-10 years

Find out how water can walk, eggs can float, and secret messages can be created and revealed with household items. It’s a fun program full of experiments.

Fly Higher!

Wednesday, August 9

Ages: 7-10 years

A high-flying program where participants will learn about basic aerodynamics by making their very own kite and simple hovercraft.

Make A Book

Wednesday, August 16

Ages: 7-10 years

Do you write your own stories? Be sure to join us for this interactive program, where you get to make your own book and then check it out, just like a library book!

Dig Deeper: Discover the World of Dinosaurs

Wednesday, August 23

Ages: 7-10 years

Let’s explore and unearth cool facts about Dinosaurs! Participate in a library scavenger hunt to find hidden dinosaurs around the library, then create your very own fossil out of air dry clay.

All the above programs

Times: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Program Room

Cost: $3 per child, per program

Try out NPL’s Online Library with an E-Access Card

Singalong with Russ: Free drop-in program

Popular entertainer Russ is back for his fun, interactive concerts this summer. He encourages audiences to participate with his bin of instruments, and he knows how to ensure the entire family will have a great time. It’s time to party with Russ! Children must be accompanied by no more than 2 adults. Maximum 35 participants/children per show.

Thurs., July 6 - Aug. 24

Time: 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Ages: 6 months - 5 years

Location: Multipurpose Room

Cost: FREE

Teen Summer Reading Club 2023

This year registration is through READsquared. Look for the TD SRC button on the NPL website beginning June 17. If you signed up for a reading program before you can use the same account. Explore some great books and keep track of the number you read, all while earning points toward a certificate of completion (the reading club ends on Aug. 22). You’ll also be eligible for a prize draw at the end of the summer. There’s also a recommended reading list, games you can play, and a fun Escape Room event. Register now for fun in the sun reading.

You can get an e-access membership without ID. An e-access card lets you use library computers and our Online Library. Just send us an e-mail at circulation@newmarketpl.ca with your name, address, phone number, and age (if under 18) and we will mail you an e-access card or you can pick it up at the library. Click

Teen Programs

This year registration is through the Beanstack reading challenge platform.

Also look for the Online Reading button on the NPL website. You will find a number of reading challenges for the whole family. The Teen Summer Reading challenge begins June 17.

Explore some great books and keep track of the number you read, all while earning points toward a certificate of completion (the reading club ends on Aug. 22). You’ll also be eligible for a prize draw at the end of the summer. There’s also a recommended reading list.

Register for fun in the sun reading

Teen Programs And Volunteer Opportunities

Chess in the Library

Chess in the Library is a student volunteer-run program. The program is all about providing accessible chess through public libraries. Participants gather each week to play casual or blitz games and with the opportunity for tournaments. Players of all ages and strengths are welcome.

Student volunteers are needed to oversee chess matches, basic teaching and set up. This opportunity is a great way for students to earn their community service hours. Do you love chess and willing to lead others in the game? Register online and we will touch base with you about next steps. Chess in the Library runs every Saturday from 2- 4 p.m. in the Library.

Teen Advisory Group (TAG)

Teens aged 13-18 can earn community volunteer hours and help awesomeify the library! The T.A.G. works on projects that will help shape the library’s programs and services. What kinds of projects? Lots! We’ve done things like assisting with library programs, create book displays, run contests, advise on web site development, participate in community events, suggest things the library should buy, and so much more! T.A.G. members ultimately guide the group’s direction, it’s up to YOU how things will happen!

Sound interesting? Have some ideas you’d like to bring to the table? Want to join? GREAT! Register online and we will touch base with you about joining. Regular meetings happen every other week on Wednesday evenings from 7-8 p.m. This opportunity resumes in fall 2023.

Reading Buddies

Earn community service hours and make a difference while working one-on-one with a child who is struggling to read. As a volunteer mentor you will get to know your buddy and plan your meetings to have fun and help them develop their reading skills. Mentors must have good communication skills, be independent, and be able to commit to the full 10 weeks of this program. Mentors will be interviewed, trained and matched with a child. Teens or adults who wish to volunteer can register online or call 905-953-5105 for more information. This program runs from September to June but we are always looking for interested Reading Buddies’ mentors.

SENIORS PROGRAMS:

Seniors Discovery Program: Online Library Collection

Seniors 55+, learn how to access Newmarket Public Library’s Online Library collection. Using a tablet provided by the Library (or your own device), discover digital eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, streaming music and movies, and more. A valid library card or e-access card is required. This program for seniors 55 years and older is funded by the Seniors Community Grant Program and the Government of Ontario.

Fridays, June 9, 21 and August 18, 22

Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Location: Board Room

Cost: FREE

Film Fridays At Npl

No registration required, just drop in and enjoy free movies in the Library’s multipurpose room every Friday. All movies start at 2:00 p.m.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Movie titles to be announced (watch our social media posts for upcoming titles).

P. A. DAYS MOVIES AT NPL

Looking for something to do with the kids on P.A. Days? NPL is showing free family movies the kids will love in the multipurpose room. Free snacks provided, but please bring your own beverages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required, just drop in and enjoy! Movies titles to be announced (watch our social media posts for upcoming titles).

Fri., June 2

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Story Room

Cost: FREE

Special Event

Register for event with title at Xplor Recreation

NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date

NPL’s Second Annual Community Plant Swap

Back by popular demand, our annual plant swap where you can swap plants and chat with other people who share your plant passion. Our new condensed time will allow maximum trading potential. Please note at this plant swap you can bring garden plants or house plants to trade. Get started early by potting extra garden plants in spring to get them ready for the plant swap, or pot some houseplant offsets. For more information call 905-953-5110 Ext. 4770.

Saturday, June 10

Time: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Location: Multipurpose Room $5 at the door (proceeds go to NPL’s FREE community seed library).

• Draw a floor plan or a map of your home.

• Designate a safe place to meet once outside.

Fire Safety Checklist

Test all smoke alarms.

Develop a home escape plan and practice it.

Check all electrical cords and ensure they are in good condition. Replace damaged cords right away. Make sure all of your extension cords are used safely and are not under carpets or across walking areas.

Check the kitchen and make sure flammable items are cleared away from the stovetop.

Avoid overloading a circuit with 'octopus outlets.' If additional outlets or circuits are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician.

Have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly (at least once a year).

Have your furnace inspected at least once a year. If you have portable space heaters, ensure they are at least 1 metre away from burnable items.

Check your clothes dryer and make sure the vent and filter are clean.

Install a carbon monoxide alarm.

Practice your home escape plan regularly with everyone in your home.

• Teach everyone that their priority is to get out and stay safe.

• Teach kids when and how to call 9-1-1.

• Practice. Practice. Practice.

• Don’t wait, plan your escape!

If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out sefely once the smoke alarm sounds. Working smoke alarms and a practiced home escape plan could save your life.

Proudly protecting the communities of Aurora and Newmarket.

STAY FIRE SMART