Ongoing activities
This year’s summer reading theme, Dive In, invites children to explore stories inspired by water—ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Whether it’s spotting wildlife on a trail, playing at a park, or imagining a message in a bottle, we hope this summer inspires young readers to set off on an adventure to discover new stories, creativity, and exploration. It’s easy to join. It’s free. Plus, it’s a fun way to keep kids reading all summer long.
The fun begins for all ages from Sunday, June 7 to Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Learn more about the 2026 Summer Reading Program
Thank you for your interest in our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge! We’re currently reimagining this program to include more exciting in-person incentives and rewards. Stay tuned for updates in the New Year with all the details on how you can join this important early literacy initiative.
Questions? Email Programs@newmarketpl.ca for more information or phone the library.
Love playing chess? Or maybe you are new to the game. Drop by the library to play a challenging game with your peers or learn how to play. For ages 6 to 12 years. This program is facilitated by teen volunteers.
When: Thursdays, October 9 to December 18
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Program Room (Second floor)
Full of online resources you can access from anywhere. Get eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, streaming video and more on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. There are also lots of resources to help you find answers to your questions, as well as authoritative sources for school projects.
Reading Buddies is a fun and supportive weekly program that pairs children in Grades 1 to 4 with community volunteers to help build reading skills through one-on-one sessions. Each week, buddies read together and enjoy literacy games at the library, all under the guidance of library staff. The goal? To boost confidence, strengthen literacy, and spark a lifelong love of reading!
Who are the buddies?
Each buddy pair includes:
- A child in Grades 1 to 4 looking for reading support.
- A teen or adult volunteer mentor from the community who loves reading and helping others
- Apply to be a Reading Buddies Mentor
PLEASE NOTE: Reading Buddies Program is currently full
Thank you for your interest in the Reading Buddies program. Due to high demand and current program capacity, Reading Buddies registration for our Spring session is temporarily paused.
We will start accepting applications in August 2026 for Fall 2026 to Spring 2027.
Program Details
- The program runs for ten sessions in the Newmarket Library on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
- There will be 30 minutes of reading with a reading buddy mentor, followed by fun literacy activities.
- Note: Depending on volunteer availability, matching may take a few weeks.
What Happens During a Reading Buddy Session?
Here’s what a typical Reading Buddies session looks like:
- Check in at the second-floor service desk.
- The child chooses a book from the Children’s section.
- Buddies find a cozy spot in the library’s Story Hour Room to read together.
- The mentor provides personalized support to help with reading and comprehension.
- Both buddies write a short reflection in their Reading Buddies journal.
- They wrap up with a literacy game or activity—fun and educational!
Choosing Books
Children are welcome to read:
- A book from the library
- A book brought from home
We recommend letting your child help choose a book that interests them. It’s best to pick something that’s not too challenging for beginner sessions—our Easy Reader collection is a great place to start!
Please Note: Reading Buddies Program – Currently Full
Thank you for your interest in the Reading Buddies program. Due to high demand and current program capacity, Reading Buddies registration for our Spring session is temporarily paused. We will start accepting applications for Fall 2026-Spring 2027 in August 2026.