Black History Month events, Valentine's program and more!
To celebrate Black History Month NPL and the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) are presenting two events: a special speaker presentation with Ginelle Skerritt, the first Black CEO in the history of children’s aid societies; and the acclaimed documentary Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind, directed by British-Jamaican journalist Nadine White. Also happening this month, short story writers can learn from author Douglas Smith what it takes to market and sell short fiction. We’ve also got a special Valentine’s Day program for children, health programs presented by CHATS, as well as an Online Library discovery program for Seniors. All this and more!
Register for programs with Xplor Recreation
Create an Xplor Recreation account. Online registration for Library and Town programs can only be done using Xplor Recreation. Take a few moments to sign up for your account
Explore the past with Ancestry Library Edition
Looking to trace your family tree? Ancestry Library Edition is a great resource with over 20 billion records, including census data, immigration and emigration, births, marriages, and more. It also has tools to help you in creating your family tree. Ancestry is available in-library only. Visit the Adult Services Information Desk on the lower level and ask for assistance in accessing this excellent resource.
Digital version of The Economist magazine to leave Overdrive
NPL’s Overdrive service will no longer be providing the digital version of The Economist magazine as of Feb. 1, 2023. According to Overdrive, recent changes made by The Economist provide only a maximum of 24 hours before its lending period ends. OverDrive felt this was not sufficient time to read the publication and decided to remove it. Anyone interested in reading The Economist can still borrow the printed version from the Library’s magazine collection.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Black History Month Events
Hosted and sponsored by the Newmarket Public Library in partnership with the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA).
Walk with our Children with Ginelle Skerritt
Join us for a live and interactive speaker presentation and Interview, hosted by the Newmarket Public Library and moderated by Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association’s Jerisha Grant-Hall and featuring Ginelle Skerritt, celebrated community builder and first Black CEO in the history of children’s aid societies in Ontario. Her previous roles include Regional Director of UNICEF Ontario, and leadership roles at The Neighbourhood Group, Warden Woods, United Way of Greater Toronto and Tropicana Community Services.
Wednesday, February 8
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Register for Walk with our Children with Ginelle Skerritt
Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind
“Barrel Children,” a documentary film from British-Jamaican journalist Nadine White, depicts the experience of the children left behind in the Caribbean when their parents traveled to Britain for work after World War II in what has come to be known as the Windrush Migration. The announcement of the documentary came on Windrush Day in the United Kingdom, June 22, 2022, which was established in 2018 on the 70th anniversary of the Windrush Migration to mark the experience of the nearly 1,000 Caribbean people who landed at Tilbury Docks in Essex in 1948 on the Empire Windrush ship. These people had been recruited by the British government after the war to address a critical labor shortage. White was inspired to make the documentary by her late father who was one of the so-called “barrel children” who were raised by their grandmothers or other members of their extended family when their biological parents left the Caribbean to help with the rebuilding of war-damaged Britain.
Wednesday, February 22
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Register for Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind
Black Excellence in STEM Careers: Diversity in Engineering
Join us as we showcase Black Excellence in Engineering with an online presentation by Electrical Engineer and Energy specialist Gary Thompson, PEng. Gary is an advocate for diversity in engineering, and will share his personal experiences and talk about the opportunities for success in this STEM field. Presented by Durham and York Region public libraries.
Monday, February 13
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE
Register for Black Excellence in STEM Careers: Diversity in Engineering
National Film Board Black History Month selections
Friday, February 24
In celebration of Black History Month, we’re showing several publicly available short films that are part of the National Film Board in Libraries program. These and other NFB films can also be accessed free online.
Films will begin at 2 p.m. in NPL’s multipurpose room and run in the following order:
Sòl
Many Black, racialized and immigrant women work with elderly patients as healthcare providers. Their jobs, already arduous and underpaid as it is, have become even more exhausting during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some public commentators have described them as overrepresented in this sector because of their culture, and hailed them as “guardian angels,” what do they themselves have to say?
Zab Maboungou
A portrait of choreographer Zab Maboungou provides insight into the meticulous training and physical strength behind one of her pivotal works: Mozongi.
Black Soul
Martine Chartrand’s animated short dives into the heart of Black culture with an exhilarating trip through history. Watch as a young boy traces his roots through the stories his grandmother shares with him about the events that shaped their cultural heritage.
Ice Breakers
Reveals the buried history of a pioneering Black hockey league in Atlantic Canada, as promising teen hockey star Josh Crooks discovers that his unshakable passion is tied to a rich and remarkable heritage.
John Ware Reclaimed
Filmmaker Cheryl Foggo on her quest to re-examine the mythology surrounding John Ware, the Black cowboy who settled in Alberta, Canada, before the turn of the 20th century. Foggo’s research uncovers who this iconic figure might have been, and what his legacy means in terms of anti-Black racism, both past and present.
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.
February’s Film: The Inspection (2022)
Ellis French is a young, gay Black man with few options for his future. He decides to enlist in the U.S. Marines to prove himself, but while undergoing basic training he must also contend with deep-rooted prejudice. As he struggles to conceal his true nature, French discovers unexpected camaraderie and a sense of belonging that changes his life. Although fiction, the film is based on writer-director Elegance Bratton's own life story. After being kicked out of his mother's home at the age of 16 for being gay and living homeless, he joined the U.S. Marines, where he served as a combat cameraman.
Wednesday, February 22
Time: 7:00 – 8:40 p.m.
Get Tickets to The Inspection
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. Free snacks, but please bring your own beverage. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required, just drop in and enjoy!
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
It's up to Sonic the Hedgehog to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, our free P.A. Day movie for families showing in the story room. It’s fast-paced fun in this action comedy starring Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz, as the voice of Sonic. Rated PG.
Friday, February 3
Time: 1:30 – 3:15 p.m.
Location: Story Room
Cost: FREE
FUN FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
Register for programs with titles at Xplor Recreation
NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date
Yvette and Her Puppet Friends: Canada’s Premiere Female Ventriloquist
Yvette and her adorable puppet friends will entertain the whole family in a ventriloquism show filled with fun and laughter. Yvette has performed shows in schools, hospitals, retirement homes, and has been a showcase performer for 12 years at Canada’s Wonderland. She has won international awards and recognition, and her performances are a joyous experience. Register now, space is limited.
Wednesday, March 15
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Ages: 3 years and up
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: $5 per person
Family Storytime – Drop-in program
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
Toddlertime – Drop-in program
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. Drop-in program, no 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.
Ages: 24 – 35 months
Location: Program Room
Cost: FREE
Tales for Threes – Drop-in program
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. Drop-in program, no 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
Full STEAM Ahead!: February Workshops, ages 10 -12
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.
Potential Energy: Straw Rockets
Tuesday, February 14
Create your own Straw Rockets with cardstock and straws as you explore potential and kinetic energy. We will also be reading the book The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield. Supplies will be provided.
Times: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Program Room
Sound Waves: Make A Shaker
Tuesday, February 28
Let’s get creative and make a music shaker as we combine, art, rice, and a potato chip can to create a cool musical instrument and learn about sound waves. Supplies will be provided.
Times: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Program Room
Cost: $10 per child (supplies for both programs)
Will You Be Our Valentine?
"It’s a feeling inside. It’s a smile in your heart. It keeps us together when we’re apart," a quote from Monica Sheehan’s children’s book Love Is You & Me that is perfect for Valentine’s Day. Let’s get together to share stories and songs celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Saturday, February 11
Time: 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Ages: 3 – 6 years
Location: Story Room
Cost: FREE
Blox Builders Club– Drop-in program
Bring your imagination and create your own world with LEGO and DUPLO. This is a drop-in program using old school LEGO bricks. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturdays, February 4, 11. 18, 25
Time: 10:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 3 – 6 years
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 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 years and up
Location: Program Room
Cost: FREE
SENIORS PROGRAMS:
Register for programs with titles at Xplor Recreation
NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date
Hearing Loss and Aging with Canadian Hearing Services
An informative discussion with a Hearing Care Counsellor from Canadian Hearing Services. Learn about communication strategies to cope with hearing loss, hearing aids and assistive listening devices and technology. Find out about the Hearing Care Counselling program and how counsellors can help.
Tuesday, March 7
Time: 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: FREE
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.
Friday, February 10
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: FREE
BOOK CLUBS:
Register for programs with titles at Xplor Recreation
NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date
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. We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker is our book pick for February. 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.
Thursday, February 9
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.
February’s Theme:
Recipes from a Place You’ve been or a Place You’d Like to Go
Re-live your last vacation or prepare for an upcoming trip with some cooking or baking from a place you’ve been or would like to go. Share virtually with photos of your culinary creations. Here are some books for inspiration: in print at the library The Wickaninnish Cookbook by Wickaninnish Inn, Toronto Eats :100 Signature Recipes from the City's Best Restaurants by Amy Rosen, and on Hoopla we have Japanese Cooking Made Simple: Japanese Cookbook with Authentic Recipes for Ramen, Bento, Sushi & more and Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking by Maangchi. Feel free to use any recipe source.
Thursday, February 16
Afternoon Club Meeting
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Evening Club Meeting
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
HEALTH PROGRAMS
Heart and Brain Connection in Stroke Prevention
In partnership with CHATS, Newmarket Public Library hosts guest speaker Paul Corteza, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Mackenzie Health. Paul will be discussing warning signs for stroke, the physiology connection between the heart and brain, risk factors for strokes, and lifestyle changes to lower your risks. Register online or contact Paula Duncan pduncan@chats.on.ca
For help registering call (905) 953-5110 ext. 4860.
Wednesday, February 15
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE
Register for Heart and Brain Connection in Stroke Prevention
Communication & Behaviour Strategies in Caring
for Someone with Dementia
In partnership with CHATS, Newmarket Public Library hosts guest speaker Jaime Cruz, Public Education Coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of York Region. Jaime will cover ways to communicate to ensure care needs are met, the meanings of different behaviours, and techniques and strategies to support a care recipient with dementia. Register online or contact Paula Duncan pduncan@chats.on.ca For help registering call (905) 953-5110 ext. 4860.
Wednesday, February 22
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE
Register for Communication & Behaviour Strategies in Caring for Someone with Dementia
FILM FRIDAYS AT NPL – Drop-in program
No registration required, just drop in and enjoy a free movie in the Library’s multipurpose room. All movies start at 2:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Movie titles to be announced for certain dates (watch our social media posts for upcoming titles):
The Menu (2022)
A young couple travel to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises. A horror satire starring Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult. Rated R.
Friday, February 10
Time: 2:00 – 3:40 p.m.
14 Love Letters (2022)
In person at NPL, an introduction by Executive Producer Beth Stevenson
A romantic comedy filmed in Newmarket and the surrounding area (with scenes shot in Newmarket Public Library). After historic love letters start anonymously appearing in Kallie Sharp's mailbox, the hobby farmer searches for her secret admirer and opens herself up to love.
The movie was produced by local company Brain Power Studio, and Beth Stevenson, the founder of the studio and an Executive Producer, will be at the library to introduce the film. Rated G.
Friday, February 17
Time: 2:00 – 3:25 p.m.
ADULT PROGRAMS:
Register for programs with titles at Xplor Recreation
NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date
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.
Thursday, February 9
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: FREE
Playing the Short Game: How to Market and Sell Short Fiction
What happens when you've finished writing? Do you know how to sell your short fiction? Join us online with Writer's Community of York Region presenter Douglas Smith, author of the popular writer's guide, Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction. In this interactive workshop, Douglas will provide advice on how to sell your short stories to professional markets, and what you need to know about rights and licensing for short fiction.
Thurs., February 23
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE
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.