LEGO literacy event...and NPL goes fines free!

We’re kicking off the new year with some great programs and events, as well as an end to overdue fines. That’s right, starting in January overdue fines will no longer exist, and we’re having a special event to celebrate that. We’ll also be celebrating Family Literacy Day with the special event, Storytelling with Lego, which will see teams of family or friends use Lego to create a scene from a well-known story or a story of their own based on a specific theme. In our interactive STEAM program, children ages 3 to 5 will get to experience hands-on learning, and our P.A. Day movies continue with DC League of Super-Pets. All this and more.

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Fines Free & More this January!
Starting this month, the Library is officially eliminating late fees on overdue items. Late fees haven’t been charged since the pandemic began almost three years ago, and the decision to remove them indefinitely will provide a more inclusive, welcoming experience for all library users. Although fines will no longer exist, we ask that books be returned on time so they can be enjoyed by others. Individuals will still be charged for lost books. 

New lending tablets for Seniors 55+
Available this month, the tablets can be used by Seniors to discover NPL’s digital collection, including eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and more. Borrow a tablet at customer service with your library card. Funded by Seniors Community Grant Program and the Government of Ontario.
 

SPECIAL EVENTS
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Storytelling with Bricks
Family Literacy Day is a celebration of how reading and literacy can play an important role in a child’s life. We’ll celebrate by sharing the importance of reading while engaging in a fun activity with Lego. Participants will be organized into teams of four to create a scene from a well-known story, or a story of their own based on a specific theme. You can form your own team of four family members or friends beforehand, but register as individuals. Join us for a fun afternoon of Lego-inspired storytelling.

Saturday, January 28
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE

York Cinemania
York Cinemania is back with a new movie every month! Presented by Newmarket Public Library and East Gwillimbury Public Library, York Cinemania brings independent and award-winning TIFF films to audiences in northern York Region showing at SilverCity Cinemas Newmarket. Ticket Prices: $15 per person, per film. Learn more about York Cinemania. 

January’s Film: Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On (2022)
A fascinating documentary celebrating the life of Indigenous singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie. In the 1960s, as an icon of the folk scene, Sainte-Marie became an activist addressing issues most people shied away from. Her integrity inspired many, but her outspoken courage angered the authorities (the FBI tried to convince radio stations to ban her records). Saint-Marie’s music and activism are intertwined, and explored in this tribute to a legendary artist. To quote from the song Up Where We Belong, the Oscar-winning song Saint-Marie co-wrote, “Who knows what tomorrow brings, in a world few hearts survive. All I know is the way I feel. When it’s real, I keep it alive.”

Wednesday, January 25
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
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P. A. DAYS MOVIES AT NPL
P.A. Day Movies are back. We’re showing free family movies in the library’s story room every P.A. Day this year. We provide the snacks, but please bring your own beverage. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required, just drop in and enjoy!

DC League of Super-Pets (2022)
When Superman and the other members of the Justice League are kidnapped, it’s up to Superman’s pet dog Krypto to rescue them. To help him on his rescue mission, Krypto recruits a group of animals that gained their own super powers after being accidentally exposed to orange Kryptonite. This fun animated film features a stellar voice cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Kate McKinnon, Kevin Hart and Keanu Reeves. Rated PG. Watch the trailer.

Friday, January 20
Time: 1:30 – 3:15 p.m.

FUN FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
Register for the following programs with their titles at Xplor Recreation 

Family Storytime
Let’s have fun as we enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and finger-plays and share good times together. Drop-in program, no registration required.

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

Babytime
This eight-week program is for you and your baby and it includes songs, active rhymes and puppets to engage your baby’s senses and spark curiosity. Registration is required, payment is required for all children in attendance who are 6 months and older.

 Friday, Jan. 13 – March 3
Time: 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Ages: 6-23 months
Location: Picture Book Area
Cost: FREE

Toddlertime
A great way for young children and their caregivers to have fun learning to read! We read books, sing songs, recite rhymes and do entertaining fingerplays in this eight-week registered program.

Tues., Jan. 10 – Feb. 28
Time: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

Wed., Jan. 11 – March 1
Time: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

Ages: 24 – 35 months
Location: Program Room
Cost: FREE

Tales for Threes
Tales for Threes is an eight-week program just for the terrific threes in your life! This fun and unique storytime will include stories, songs and fingerplays that are specially crafted to help increase children's vocabulary, comprehension and ability to interact socially. Full of engaging techniques, it's a great way to get kids excited about reading. Registration required.

Tues., Jan. 10 – Feb. 28
Time: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

Wed., Jan. 11 – March 1
Time: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

Age: 3 years
Location: Story Room
Cost: FREE

Groovy Art
A fun craft-based program with Nikki Forrester, presenter of Kid’s Groove Music. Children will complete five different art and craft activities each week as they move around the art stations at their own pace. Sand and water may be included. Dress your child in old clothes and bring a plastic bag to take home your child’s crafts. Registration required.

Fri., Jan. 13 – March 3
Time: 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Location: Multipurpose Room
Ages:  2-5 years                                                     
Cost: $85 per child

Kid’s Groove Music Program
Kid’s Groove is an active program that combines singing with visual stimulation, movement, instrumental experimentation and the spoken word. Children must be accompanied by an adult, maximum of 2 children per adult. Infants may accompany caregiver without charge to a maximum of 5 per class. Registration required.

For Families
Ages: 6 months – 3 years
Wednesday, Jan. 11 – March 1
Time: 9:35 – 10:05 a.m.
Cost: $82 per child

For Preschoolers
Ages: 2 – 5 years
Wednesday, Jan. 11 – March 1
Time: 10:20 – 10:50 a.m.
Cost: $82 per child
Location: Multipurpose Room

Full STEAM Ahead: January Workshops, ages 3 to 5
Twice a month STEAM workshops that will inspire your child’s curiosity about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Each workshop includes hands-on activities and experiments. Registration required. 

Forces and Gravity
Tuesday, January 10
Let’s explore motion with this fun, guided hands-on activity to make paper roller coasters and experiment with simple household items.

Counting and Combinations
Tuesday, January 24
We’ll learn counting and colour combinations along with Pete the Cat! After we read the book Pete the Cat and his four groovy buttons, we will have fun in a hands-on activity sorting with brightly coloured buttons.

Times: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Program Room
Cost: $10 per child (supplies for both programs)

What Every Babysitter Should Know
Learn how to care for infants, toddlers, and older children; what questions to ask parents; how to give first aid and what to do in an emergency.  Receive a workbook and a certificate from St. John Ambulance.  Program includes a babysitter's kit. Registration required.

Friday, January 20
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ages: 11 – 15
Location: Story Room/Program Room
Cost: $52 per youth

Chess in the Library
Love playing chess? Want to learn? Here’s your opportunity to play a challenging 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 and up
Location: Program Room
Cost: FREE


BOOK CLUBS:
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Dark Evenings Online Mystery Book Club
Mystery lovers this is the club for you! Intriguing books, lively discussions, and great titles to see you through the long, dark evenings of fall and winter. Club meetings take place the second Thursday of the month from September to June. The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson is our book pick for January. Copies of the books will be available for pick-up approximately one month before club meeting dates. For more information on the club contact 905-953-5110 Ext. 4770 or register now for our next book club meeting.

Thursdays
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE

NPL’s Online Cookbook Club
Let’s get cooking! Here’s a club for those who enjoy the culinary arts. We’ll make different dishes each month based on a theme, with suggested recipe books to use that are available at NPL (or use a recipe source of your own). At our monthly online meetings, we’ll show each other the dish we’ve created (this can be a photo if it’s already been consumed), and chat about food, recipes and more.

January’s Theme: Eating Healthy For You
Start off the New Year right with some healthy cooking choices specifically for you. Choose your focus whether it be eating vegetarian, gluten-free, low inflammatory, low sugar or whatever suits your needs. Share virtually with photos of your culinary creations. Here are some books for inspiration—in print at the library How Not to Diet Cookbook by Michael Greger; Becoming Sugar-free: How to Break Up with Inflammatory Sugars and Embrace a Naturally Sweet Life by Julie Daniluk and on Hoopla we have Unprocessed: Revitalize Your Health with Whole Foods as well as The Plant-Based Cookbook: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free Recipes for Lifelong Health by Ashley Madden. Feel free to use any recipe source.

Thursday, January 19
Afternoon Club Meeting
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

Evening Club Meeting
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.


SENIORS PROGRAMS:
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Seniors Discovery Program: Online Library Collection
Seniors 55+, learn how to access Newmarket Public Library’s vast digital collection. Using a tablet provided by the Library (or your own device if you wish), discover NPL’s Online Library, with its digital eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, streaming music and movies, and more. A valid library card or e-access card is required. This program is funded by the Seniors Community Grant Program and the Government of Ontario.

Friday, January 13 
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Ages: 55 and up
Location: Board Room
Cost: FREE

LEARN LAB PROGRAMS
Learn Labs are a collaboration between the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce and Newmarket Public Library. Sessions are open to Chamber members and library card holders (available at no charge at the library).

Learn Lab: Paid Social Media Ads
You put a lot of work into your Facebook or Instagram ad but it didn't result in any noticeable change. What can you do differently next time? At this workshop, you'll learn the basics of how to create an effective Facebook ad campaign from Britt Holmes of Merit Media. Britt has years of experience creating successful paid media campaigns, and she'll share some of her tips and tricks so that you can create an ad that actually delivers results.

Thurs., January 19
Time: 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Ages: 18 and up
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
Register for this program

ADULT PROGRAMS:
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Tea For Thought
Meet new people face to face in a relaxed atmosphere at Tea For Thought, every second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in NPL’s multipurpose room. Network and enjoy an evening of tea, activities and fruitful conversation hosted by Global Intersections and NPL. Icebreakers will prompt discussion and create a friendly, welcoming experience for all. Let’s get together for tea, share our thoughts, meet new acquaintances in our diverse community, and make new friends.

Every second Thursday
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: FREE

Enterprising Careers for Women
Are you looking for a career change? Explore your options in a free 10-week program offered by NPL and the Women’s Centre of York Region. Identify your interests, skills, and discover employment options that fit you personally. Research occupations and make a career plan. Get motivated to follow your career path. Complete the program and receive a $50 Winners gift card.

Tues., January 17
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Board Room
Cost: FREE
Register for this program  

The library is open during its regular hours Tuesday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

Enquiries about adult programs 905-953-5110 Ext. 4770 and children’s programs 905-953-5105.