Special author visit, March Break events and more!

We’re so excited to welcome best-selling author and screenwriter Catherine Hernandez for an author talk in celebration of International Women’s Day. Catherine will be joined in a special event at Old Town Hall by the York Chamber Ensemble, performing music created by women composers, and award-winning poet and national poetry slam champion Desiree McKenzie. For the kids March Break is sure to be a blast! Yvette Locke and her puppet friends will be here with her acclaimed ventriloquism show, and fans of the book series Dog Man won’t want to miss our Dog Man Party, a paw-some celebration with games and activities. Plus, programs celebrating Persian Heritage Month and more!

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS

Give Them Joy: An Evening with Author Catherine Hernandez
Meet award-winning author Catherine Hernandez during a special author event in celebration of International Women’s Day. Hernandez’s debut novel Scarborough was a literary sensation, winning her an emerging writer award and adapted into a film (Hernandez even won an award for writing the screenplay). Hernandez’s other novels include Crosshairs, The Story of Us, and her latest Behind You. Hernandez will be available to sign books following her talk. The evening program will also include a performance by York Chamber Ensemble of music created by women composers, as well as a presentation by award-winning poet and national poetry slam champion Desiree McKenzie.

Friday, March 7
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Ages: 12 years and up
Location: Newmarket Old Town Hall, Botsford St.
Register for Give Them Joy

International Women’s Day Celebration 2025: Bravery Accelerates Action!
The Women's Centre of York Region and the Newmarket Public Library invite you to join us in celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme Accelerating Action. This year, we are honoured to feature Heather McWilliam, founder of Brave Inspires Brave and a former police officer, as our guest speaker. Heather's journey from law enforcement to becoming a mental health and human rights advocate exemplifies the power of taking decisive action to overcome systemic barriers. Join us for engaging activities and Heather's inspiring talk as we explore ways to accelerate progress toward gender equality in both personal and professional spheres. Light refreshments served.

Friday, March 7
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Newmarket Public Library
Register for Bravery Accelerates Action!

MARCH BREAK EVENTS:

For a program requiring registration, please log in to Xplor Recreationand under Activities, Activity Registration, enter its title. NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date.

Dog Man Party: Drop-in
To launch our special March Break festivities, enjoy our Dog Man Party. It’s going to be a paw-some adventure to celebrate our favourite half-man, half-dog crime fighting hero featuring goofy games, kindness activities, crafts and so much more.

Tuesday, March 11
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 4 to 12 years
Location: Children’s picture book area
Cost: Free

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.

Thursday, March 13
Time: 3:30 – 4:10 p.m.
Ages: 3 years and up
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: $8 per person
Register for Yvette and Her Puppet Friends

More March Break activities to enjoy!
Looking for other fun things to do! Check out the full line up of events at www.newmarketpl.ca/events including Board game bonanza, Lego® challenges, family story time, Chess and Blox Builders club. Plus enjoy special in-library activities when you visit us this week!

MARCH DROP-IN PROGRAMS!

Family Storytime
Every Saturday at 9:45 a.m. in the children’s area of the library. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays for children ages six months to five years old.

Chess in the Library
Saturday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for ages 8 years and older. A great opportunity to play a challenging game with your friends or to learn how to play. All playing levels welcome.

Blox Builders Club
Every Sunday in March from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., bring your imagination and create your own world out of Lego® and Duplo®. For children ages three years and older accompanied by an adult.

For more information about Newmarket Library events, visit www.newmarketpl.ca/events or phone 905-953-5110.

CELEBRATING PERSIAN HERITAGE MONTH & NOROOZ

Senior Iranian Multicultural Association Art Exhibition
Join SIMA for a free public launch of artwork by local Iranian seniors. Tea and snacks provided. Artwork will remain up until March 25th, 2025.

Sunday, March 16
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: All welcome
Location: Multipurpose Room
Fee: Free

Paint Into Spring : Paint Class with Ghazaleh Naderian
Award-winning Newmarket artist Ghazeleh Naderian presents a relaxed afternoon paint session celebrating Nowruz and the beginning of Spring. Ghazleh will guide you through an exciting experience learning to paint vibrant flowers with acrylics, including the art of colour mixing and application. All experience levels welcome!

Sunday, March 23
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 10 years and up
Location: Multipurpose Room
Fee: $20 per person
Register for Paint Into Spring

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.

March’s Film: Universal Language (2024)
Canada’s submission for the Best International Feature Film at this year’s Oscars, Matthew Rankin’s film is a surreal comedy set in a reimagined Winnipeg where Persian and French are the two official languages. The film follows various individuals in their daily off-kilter lives. Winner of the Directors’ Fortnight award at last year’s Cannes film festival.

Wednesday, March 19
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: SilverCity Newmarket Cinemas
Get tickets for Universal Language 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.  

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, March 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Boardroom

York Region Educational Services Information: Drop-in
Meet with York Region Educational Services who offer a range of free educational programs tailored for everyone in the community. From language courses to STEAM initiatives and personal development workshops, there's something for children, youth, adults, and seniors alike.

Sundays, February 2, 23
Saturday, February 22
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor 

CCYSR 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.

Friday, March 7
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor 

TIRP, Traumatic Incident Response Protocol: Drop-in
Stop by the library to find out more about TIRP- Traumatic Incident Response Protocol. After a traumatic event, the TIRP team helps the community by providing resources, support, information, and identifying the needs and concerns of community members. Visitors will have a chance to win a gift basket!

Tuesdays, March 11
Time: 3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor

CHAP Program, Respite Registry: Drop-in
Drop in to meet with the Respite Registry Coordinator of the CHAP Program - York Region. www.respiteservices.com is a registry designed to connect families/individuals with a CHAP respite provider. The program's goal is to ease the physical and emotional demands involved in caring for a loved one. Families interested in the program as well as those interested in becoming a CHAP Provider are welcome to drop in for more information.

Friday, March 14
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Location: Main Floor

READING CHALLENGES:

10 To Try Reading Challenge 2025
Are you looking to discover new books? Ready to read a book about nature, a book with a snowy setting, and more? If so, you’re going to love our 10 To Try Reading Challenge. Log the time you spend reading and complete reading activities to earn badges and tickets to enter prize draws for $25 gift certificates to Indigo Books and Metropolis Mercantile & Café. Ask at the Information Desk on the lower level for more information or call 905-953-5110 ext. 4770.
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. March’s book is Intermezzo by Sally Rooney.

Meeting on Tuesday, March 11
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. February’s book is Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera.

Meeting on Thursday, March 13
Time: 7:00 – 8:15 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!  The first session of each month will focus on more hands-on assistance and technical support for those who need it. The second session of each month will focus on community projects.
 
Every other Saturday, March 1, 15, 29
Time: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Ages: All ages, but under 13 must be accompanied by an adult
Location: Multipurpose Room
Fee: Free

ADULT PROGRAMS:
For a program requiring registration, please log in to Xplor Recreationand under Activities, Activity Registration, enter its title. NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date.

Elder Abuse Prevention - Yellow Brick House
Yellow Brick House presents a peer-led workshop about understanding elder abuse. Learn about different forms of abuse, education tools, and risk mitigation and self-care strategies for you and your loved one. Discussion will also include how to support someone experiencing abuse. A nutritious meal will be served to participants during the workshop.

Tuesday, March 4
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Ages: Adults
Fee: Free
Location: Multipurpose Room
Register for Elder Abuse Prevention


Hope and Healing Grief Healing Support Group: Drop-in
Join a safe and compassionate space for those experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one who has passed away. In partnership with Bereaved Families of York Region (BFOYR), a welcoming environment at Newmarket Library to learn how to live with grief after loss. Peer-led support guided by experienced facilitators. Share your story, listen and connect with others who are also navigating their own personal journey of loss.

Tuesdays, March 18 to May 6
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Ages: Adults
Fee: Free
Location: Program Room (upper level)

ESL Conversation Circle
Designed to help newcomers boost their confidence by improving their language skills and connecting with other people. For more information contact CCYSR (Catholic Community Services of York Region).
Adults 18 and up
Tuesdays, March 11, 25
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Location: Large Study Room

TEEN PROGRAMS:
For a program requiring registration, please log in to Xplor Recreationand under Activities, Activity Registration, enter its title. NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date.

Youth Write Now
Find your voice; have your say. If you are in grades 7-12 and wish to work with a published writer and teacher, look no further. Youth Forum will be held on the third Wednesday of each month, February 2025 to June 2025 at Newmarket Public Library. Come and meet other young poets, bloggers, slammers, novelists, ziners, scripters, and everything in between. Bring your writing tools, your imagination, and an open mind. We want to read you loud and clear. Please be sure to bring your own writing materials to the program, This program is led by Writer's Community of York Region. 

Wednesday, March 19
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Ages: 11 years and up
Location: Large Study Room
Register for Youth Write Now

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. The club is an inclusive hangout where you will find acceptance, laughter and friendship. We’ll have respectful conversations about gender, sexuality and identity, and enjoy crafts, snacks, movies, games and more!

Biweekly Tuesdays, March 4, 18
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

Teen Volunteers Needed!
We need your help! Support the library (and your community!) while also earning your highschool volunteer hours. We offer teens volunteer opportunities through our Teen Advisory Group (or TAG) to help awesome-ify the library for teens, Reading Buddies to work one-on-one with a child to help develop their reading confidence and/or through our Chess in the Library program to help others learn how to play chess. You can make a difference in our community! Learn more by emailing dlafleur@newmarketpl.ca or phone 905-953-5105 for more information.

Library on the Go book kiosks
Newmarket Library’s new book kiosks are up and running! Our Library on the Go kiosks are mini-libraries that let Library members borrow books while visiting the Magna Centre and Ray Twinney Recreation Complex. Each kiosk has a collection of over 150 popular book titles for all ages, and titles are rotated on a regular basis to keep things fresh.
Learn more about the Library on the Go kiosks.

LIBRARY COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Drop by and chat with Library staff about programs and services. Sign up for a Library card or renew your existing card. Borrow books and DVDs.
 
Seniors Meeting Place
Thursdays from 10 a.m. –  2 p.m.

Magna Centre
Wednesdays from 2 – 6:30 p.m.

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.

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.