'Tis the season for good times at the Library!

With the festive season fast approaching, take time to visit the Library for some great programs or borrow books, DVDs, board games and more to enjoy over the holidays. Interested in learning to crochet? Join the Newmarket Crochet Crew and discover the joy of making beautiful patterns with a supportive group of enthusiasts. Want to take in a critically acclaimed film? York Cinemania presents Perfect Days, directed by renowned director Wim Wenders. Parents with young children can drop-in for storytimes at the Library, the Magna Centre, and a special storytime with crafts at the Upper Canada Mall. All this and more to entertain and inspire this month!

Register for Library programs
Create an Xplor Recreation account to register for Library and Town programs. Take a few moments to sign up for your account. For a program requiring registration, please log in to Xplor Recreation and under Activities, Activity Registration, enter its title. NOTE: Registration ends one week before the program date.

You can also register in person for Library programs at all Library Service Desks. For more information call 905-953-5110 Ext. 4770 for adult programs, 905-953-5110 Ext. 4690 for Children’s programs and 905-953-5110 Ext. 4860 for Community programs.

Giving Tuesday, a great way to support your Library
A global movement, Giving Tuesday was begun to celebrate the impact charitable organizations make in their communities. As a registered charity, Newmarket Library benefits from funds that help us provide events, such as author visits, children's performers, cultural celebrations, and more. All at little or no cost to participants! Your support helps fund quality events for people of all ages, and donations receive a tax receipt.
Donate on Giving Tuesday, December 3, or at any time of the year.

Holiday stories and Crafts at Upper Canada Mall
Parents, look for the Library at Upper Canada Mall’s holiday hub, where we will have storytime for the little ones and holiday themed origami crafts. It’s free, fun, and festive! Join us on Thursday, December 5 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.at Market Court.

The Lendery has family fun for the holiday season!
The Lendery, our library of things, has board games you can borrow to play with the family over the holidays. Choose from games like Monopoly, Pictionary, Battleship, Trivial Pursuit Lord of the Rings edition and more. Lots of puzzles as well for the family to work on together.
See all the items in The Lendery.

Read the best Canadian crime novel of 2023
Together We Read digital book club invites you to read Going To Beautiful by Anthony Bidulka. After suffering a tragic accident, celebrity chef Jake Hardy finds himself struggling to recover in a small prairie town but becomes ensnared in a murder mystery. Chosen by the Crime Writers of Canada as the Best Crime Novel of 2023. Read it from Nov. 25 to Dec. 9 with no waitlists or holds in OverDrive.

Get a free custom-made Newmarket Library backpack for your child!
Parents, get a free custom-made Newmarket Library backpack and book for your child when you register for our reading challenge, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. The challenge is a fun way to build early literacy skills. One backpack per child while supplies last. Register for the challenge at https://bit.ly/sumclub24  and the first 100 registrants will be notified when to pick up their free backpacks.

York Cinemania
York Cinemania is back! 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.

December’s Film: Perfect Days (2023)
Hirayama lives alone in a small house in Tokyo and leads a simple life, his days going by according to quiet rhythms that never seem to change. Yet he finds joy in the unfolding moments of each day. Director Wim Wenders’ film is a heartfelt examination of living life in the now.

Wednesday, December 11
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: SilverCity Newmarket Cinemas
Get tickets for Perfect Day or pay at the door

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AT THE LIBRARY:
Drop in to meet and chat with representatives from community organizations 
and learn more about the services they offer. 

BFOYR: Grief Healing Support Centre: Drop-in
Drop by to learn more about our available services. We aim to empower grieving individuals and families by providing inclusive mutual individual and group support programs, fostering hope and healing, and educating about grief and bereavement. Our programs and services are free, ensuring accessible, timely and compassionate grief support.

Tuesdays, December 3, 17
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor


Walk-In Counselling with Catholic Community Services York Region
Drop in to meet with Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR) outreach counsellors to create a short-term plan that will make a difference for you right away - using the strengths, resources and supports you have right now. Free for the first session and visit.

Wednesdays, December 4, 11, 18
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor

Settlement Services Walk-in Counselling: Drop-in
Catholic Community Services of York Region will assist you with language training, career and employment, housing, health care, education, transit, citizenship, important documents and more. Free. No appointment needed.

Thursday, December 5
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor 

Contact North: Drop-in
Come by and meet with Contact North to find out about online education and training opportunities. Contact North offers a comprehensive range of education and training services designed to empower individuals in achieving their academic and professional goals. 

Fridays, December 13
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor

Home Care Workers Cooperative: Drop-in
Meet with Home Care Workers Co-operative (HCWC), a team of devoted personal support workers dedicated to providing outstanding care for individuals in need. A female-owned non-profit cooperative, they prioritize serving clients and are committed to the community with compassion and professionalism.

Wednesday, December 11
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor

FUN FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:

Out and About Family Storytime at Magna Centre: Drop-in
Newmarket Library is holding storytime at the Magna Centre, a wonderful way for caregivers and children to enjoy sharing stories, rhymes and fingerplays that engage young minds and help with learning. Drop-in anytime for these free storytimes.

Wednesdays, December 4 and 11, 2024
Time: 10:30  11:00 a.m.
Ages: 6 months to 5 years
Location: Magna Centre Main Floor Program Room
Cost: FREE

Family Storytime: Drop-in
Let’s get together for a fun interactive time as we enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and finger-plays. No registration required.

Every Saturday, December 7 to 28. 2024
Time: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.
Ages: 6 months to 5 years
Location: Children’s Floor Picture Book Area
Cost: FREE

Music And Movement: Drop-in
A fun interactive music-based program where children and caregivers together will get to dance, sing, play instruments and enjoy finger rhymes. Maximum 15 children and their caregivers.

Tuesdays, December 3
Time: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.
Ages: 2 to 4 years
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: FREE

Blox Builders Club: Drop-in
Bring your imagination and create your own world with LEGO and DUPLO. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.  

Saturdays, December 7 to 28, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 3 and up
Location: Story Room
Cost: FREE

Tween Book Club
For pre-teens interested in reading challenging books. Every month we discuss our monthly pick and do activities based on the book’s theme. Contact 905-953-5105 jref@newmarketpl.ca

Every third Thursday of the month
October 17, 2024 to May 15, 2025
Time: 7:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Ages: 9 to 12 years
Location: Program Room
Cost: FREE

Chess in the Library – Drop-in
Love playing chess? Or maybe you are new to the game.  Join us on Saturdays for the opportunity to play a challenging game with your peers or learn how to play from a volunteer.  This program is part of the Chess in the Library organization whose mission is to promote chess across Canada through its student volunteer run program.  Parent/Caregiver is to remain in the building if participant is under the age of 11.  For more information, visit the Chess in the Library website.

Every Saturday all year round
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 8 to 18 years
Location: Program Room
Fee: Free

READING CHALLENGES:

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Embark on this rewarding reading challenge with your child, keep track of your reading on Beanstack and share your favourites with the Library and other fellow readers. Find the challenge at the bottom of our Reading Challenges webpage.

100 Books Before University
Can you complete the challenge before leaving high school? Read 100 books before university, log your reading in Beanstack, and earn a new set of badges!  Find the challenge at the bottom of our Reading Challenges webpage.

 
BOOK CLUBS:

Afternoon Book Club
Book lovers join us for fiction and non-fiction reads on alternating months. We've chosen some intriguing titles you're sure to enjoy. December’s book is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Jenkins Reid.

Meeting on Tuesday, December 10
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Fee: Free
For more information contact Adult Department at 905-953-5110 ext. 4770

Dark Evenings Mystery Book Club
Mystery fans we’ve got intriguing titles to see you through the long, dark nights of fall and winter. December’s book is All That’s Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien.

Meeting on Thursday, December 12
Time: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE
For more information contact Adult Department at 905-953-5110 ext. 4770

Online Cookbook Club November 2024: Anna Olson Recipes
If you’re looking for an opportunity to share your enthusiasm for the culinary arts with like-minded individuals, then join us for our online cooking club. We’ll select different recipe ideas ahead of our meetings, get cooking, then meet online to share and discuss the results.

Meeting on Thursday, December 19
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE
For more information contact Adult Department at 905-953-5110 ext. 4770

LEARN A HOBBY:

Newmarket Crochet Crew – Drop-in 
Looking to learn Crochet? Want to try out a new pattern? Interested in working together with others to make a group project come to life? Or just interested in some company while you work on your crafts? This club welcomes you! B.Y.O.Y (Bring Your Own Yarn) for working on personal projects, or stash bust, trade, and partake in making a project with the group.  Open to all skill levels and ages.  We ask that those 13 years and younger please be accompanied by a trusted adult.  

Every other Saturday, December 7, 21
Time: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Ages: All ages, but under 13 must be accompanied by an adult
Location: Multipurpose Room
Fee: Free

TEEN PROGRAMS:

YA Pride Club – Drop-In 
In the YA Pride Club, LGBTQ+ teens can be themselves free from judgement and enjoy activities, discussions, and lots of fun. Whether you're questioning, out and proud, or anywhere in between, the club is an inclusive hangout where you will find acceptance, laughter and friendship. In biweekly meetings, we’ll have respectful conversations about gender, sexuality and identity, and enjoy game nights, movie screenings, themed parties and creative workshops.

Biweekly Tuesdays, December 3, 17
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Ages: 13 to 20 years
Location: Story Room
Fee: Free
Learn more and see the dates for YA Pride Club

The library is open during its regular hours Tuesday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

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