March Break family ventriloquism show and more!

This year March Break at the Library is going to be so much fun. Yvette Locke will be performing her acclaimed ventriloquism show at NPL. An award-winning ventriloquist, Yvette has performed shows in schools, hospitals, and has been a showcase performer for 12 years at Canada’s Wonderland. Lego fans can assemble for our free Lego Movie Marathon, and children can enjoy hands-on creativity in two of Cathy Gifford’s Clay Workshops. All that, plus our regular free movie matiness on Film Fridays, drop-in children’s storytimes, and more.

Newmarket Grows Seed Library opens March 1
Our Newmarket Grows Seed Library comes out of dormancy on March 1. That’s when you can visit the Seed Library on the Library’s lower level and borrow up to three packets of seeds at one time. No library membership is required. Choose from available vegetable and flower seeds, and feel free to donate seeds. Discover our community Seed Library

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 

SPECIAL EVENTS
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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
 

Lego Fans Assemble for NPL’s Lego Movie Marathon
Our free Lego Movie Marathon on Friday, March 17, features The Lego Movie (G) at 10 a.m., The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (G) at 1 p.m., and The Lego Batman Movie (PG) at 3 p.m. All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Snacks provided, but please bring your own beverages. We’ll also be giving out free Lego buttons. It’s going to be bricktacular!

Friday, March 17
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ages: Children and families
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: $5 per person
 

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. 

March’s Film: I Like Movies (2022)
In this Canadian comedy-drama, Lawrence is a socially clumsy 17-year-old cinephile who gets a job at a video store. While there he forms a complicated friendship with the female manager of the store. Director Chandler Levack based part of the film on her own experience working in a video store as a teenager, changing the main character to a male to prove that women filmmakers can direct stories that are not necessarily female-oriented.

Wednesday, March 22
Time: 7:00 – 8:40 p.m.
Get Tickets to I Like Movies 

FUN FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
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NOTE: Registration ends one week before program date 

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

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.   

For Families
Ages: 6 months – 3 years
Wednesday, March 29 – May 17
Time: 9:35 – 10:05 a.m.
Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: $82 per child 

For Preschoolers
Ages: 2 – 5 years      
Wednesday, March 29 – May 17
Time: 10:20 – 10:50 a.m.

Location: Multipurpose Room
Cost: $82 per child 

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., March 31 – May 19
Time: 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
(No program on Apr. 7, Good Friday)
Location: Multipurpose Room                            
Ages:  2-5 years
Cost: $72 per child

Full STEAM Ahead!: March 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. 

Circuits
Tuesday, March 7
Make a greeting card that includes an LED light in its design. Learn how the circuit can be completed for the bulb to light up.

Polymers
Tuesday, March 21
See how household items are mixed to create a new substance. Is it a liquid or a solid? 

Times: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Program Room
Cost: $5 per child/per program for supplies

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

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, March 10 
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Board Room
Cost: FREE

BOOK CLUBS:
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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. The Shadow Man by Helen Fields is our book pick for March. 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, March 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.

March’s Theme:
Rice Recipe Roundup
Inexpensive, tasty and used in cooking almost everywhere with a wide range of recipes from rice puddings to elaborate paellas or jambalayas. Switch rice for any other grain if you prefer. Share virtually with photos of your culinary creations. Here are some books for inspiration: in print at the library Grains for Every Season: Rethinking Our Way with Grains by Joshua McFadden and The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook by Beth Hensperger and on Hoopla we have Rice: A Savor the South Cookbook by Michael W. Twitty. Feel free to use any recipe source.

Thursday, March 16
Afternoon Club Meeting
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

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


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. Movie titles to be announced for certain dates (watch our social media posts for upcoming titles).

Amsterdam (2022)
In this mystery thriller set in 1933, three friends seek to uncover a political conspiracy. The film is based on the Business Plot, which took place when a group of wealthy business people in the U.S. made plans to overthrow the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Starring Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, and a star-studded supporting cast that includes Mike Myers, Chris Rock, Taylor Swift and Robert De Niro.Rated 14A.

Friday, March 3
Time: 2:00 – 4:15 p.m.
 

International Women’s Day Films on March 10
Films in order starting at 2:00 p.m. 

Ever Deadly (2022)
A documentary on avant-garde Inuit throat singer, Tanya Tagaq, exploring her relationship with the Nuna (the land), a living, breathing organism present in all forms of her improvised performances. The film weaves concert footage with sequences filmed in Nunavut, bridging landscapes, stories and songs with pain, anger and triumph—all through the expressions of one of the most innovative musical performers of our time.
Time: 90 mins.

Love, Amma (2022)
A young mother, newly diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, writes her daughter a letter to help her navigate an uncertain future. Mixing observational documentary with personal essay, this is a courageous and candid attempt to depict mental illness from a new angle—through rarely seen moments along the path to acceptance.
Time: 15 mins.

In Full Voice (2021)
In this documentary, filmmaker Saïda Ouchaou-Ozarowski talks with six Muslim Canadian women about what shapes their identities. It offers an intimate perspective that challenges assumptions about a community that’s too often stigmatized, showing that if there’s one thing that transcends our differences, it’s that we all seek freedom and equity.
Time: 53 mins.

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.