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Holiday Closures
All Haliburton County Public Library (HCPL) branches will be closed on the following days over the holidays: Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Friday, December 26 Wednesday, December 31 Thursday, January 1 |
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Top 10 Lists of 2025 Here are the top 10 books borrowed this year in different categories. Did any of your checkouts make the list? If you haven’t read some of these titles yet, you can use the catalogue links to find them. Put them on hold and see why so many people took them home! |
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LEGO Challenge Show off your creativity by building a model and adding it to our display starting Tuesday, January 6. Available all month long during regular branch hours at every HCPL branch. |
Regular All Ages Programs |
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The Yarners Social Minden Hills branch: Wednesdays, 10am-12pm |
Friends of HCPL Book Nook Minden Hills branch: Second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 10am-2pm |
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Bilingual Storytime Join us for a fun and interactive Bilingual Storytime presented in partnership with Canadian Parents for French! Families are invited to enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes shared in both English and French, perfect for children who are learning the language or simply want to explore something new. Whether you're fluent or just beginning, all are welcome to join the fun and celebrate Canada’s bilingual spirit! A great way for children to build early literacy skills, strengthen French vocabulary, and connect with others in the community. Dysart branch: Friday, January 9, 10:30-11am |
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Clay Picture Workshop Celebrate Family Literacy Day with us at the library! Canadian author and illustrator, Barbara Reid, is inviting families to get creative together. Join us in the library to watch her special virtual demonstration and make a clay picture using her signature illustration style. This hands-on event is designed for families to enjoy together. All supplies provided. Just follow along, and create your own colourful clay artwork. Recommended for ages 4+. Registration required. |
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Family Literacy Day Drop in for hands-on Family Literacy Day fun! Create your own bookmark, explore family cookbooks available to borrow, and take part in a food-themed literacy scavenger hunt—turn in your completed card for a prize! You can also take home free literacy resources inspired by this year’s national theme, Make Mealtime Family Learning Time, filled with ideas to learn, read, and connect together around the table. No registration required. Come by the Wilberforce, Minden Hills, Dysart, Gooderham, Cardiff, Stanhope or Highland Grove branch on Tuesday, January 27 during opening hours.
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Forest of Reading Kick Off Drop in for free forest-themed crafts and activities and pick up your Forest of Reading tracker to begin your reading adventure! This Canadian program celebrates home-grown authors, illustrators, and publishers, with exciting categories for all ages. Come by the Wilberforce, Minden Hills, Dysart, Stanhope or Dorset branch on Friday, January 30 during opening hours. |
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PA Day Movie: Iron Will Spend your PA Day at the library with a movie the whole family can enjoy! We’ll be screening Iron Will—the thrilling story of a young man who enters a grueling dogsled race to save his family’s farm—packed with courage, determination, and snowy Northern landscapes. Settle in for an afternoon movie on the big screen, grab a seat with friends or family, and enjoy a cozy break from winter. Free to attend — no registration required! Movie is rated PG. This movie screening is presented in partnership with the Minden Hills Cultural Centre. Minden Hills and Dysart branches: Friday, January 30, 1-3pm
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Regular Children's Programs |
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Makerpacks and EarlyON Kits Available at all HCPL branches while supplies last. Starting Saturday, January 3 until gone. Family Storytimes Minden Hills & Dysart branches: Fridays from 10:30-11am LEGO Challenge All branches, new challenge every month |
Homeschool Hangout Stanhope branch: Friday, January 2, 12:30-2:30pm After School Crafts Minden Hills branch: Second and fourth Thursday of the month, 3:30-4:30pm After-School Hangout Dorset branch: Second and fourth Thursday of the month, 3-7pm |
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Teen Lounge Wind down after school in a space made just for teens. Teen Lounge is a quiet, relaxed atmosphere—perfect for hanging out with friends or just recharging on your own. Play board games, watch YouTube, get creative with art supplies, or grab a snack while you scroll. Wi-Fi’s on—come claim your spot. Dysart branch: Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm
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Teen Exam Week Survival Kits Exams are tough — grab a little boost! Swing by any HCPL branch from January 16 to 30 to pick up your free Teen Exam Week Survival Kit. Each kit is packed with study helpers, chill-out items, and snacks to keep you focused, calm, and fueled while you power through your exams. No sign-up needed. Just drop in during library open hours, grab a kit, and crush those exams!
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Teen Hot Chocolate Warm up your morning at our Teen Hot Chocolate Café! Drop in to enjoy a delicious hot chocolate—pile yours high with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, cookies, and more. Stay and sip in our cozy café space, relax with friends, or grab a to-go cup for the day ahead. While you’re here, pick up a Teen Exam Week Survival Kit and enjoy our calming activity station—the perfect spot to unwind, reset, and de-stress during exam season. No registration required. Dysart branch: Monday, January 26, 10am-1pm |
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Teen Movie Matinee Take a break and chill with friends at our Teen Movie Matinee! Drop in for a screening of a popular teen-friendly film—perfect for unwinding after exams or studying. All teens welcome. No registration required! Dysart branch: Every day from Monday, January 26 to Thursday, January 29, 1-3pm |
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Genealogy for Seniors Curious about where you come from? Join us for Genealogy for Seniors, an inspiring introduction to family history research led by Adele Espina of the Haliburton Highlands Genealogy Group, with support provided by the Government of Ontario.This workshop will walk you through the steps of building your family tree — from locating historical records to organizing your research and uncovering meaningful stories from your past. No registration required. Dysart branch: Friday, January 9, 12:30-1:30pm
Minden Hills branch: Friday, January 9, 3-4pm
Highland Grove branch: Saturday, January 10, 11:30am-12:30pm
Cardiff branch: Saturday, January 10, 2-3pm
Gooderham branch: Wednesday, January 21, 1-2pm
Wilberforce branch: Wednesday, January 21, 3-4pm
Dorset branch: Friday, January 23, 10:30-11:30am
Stanhope branch: Friday, January 23, 1-2pm |
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Tech Help Walk-in-Clinic Stuck on a tech problem? Come into the library and grab a number, first come, first served. Each person gets a 30-minute session with our staff to tackle one specific technology challenge. One session per person per day. Just show up and stake your place in line. You may need to wait a bit (sometimes up to a few hours if spots fill early), so plan ahead. It’s like a walk-in-clinic for your tech issues. During your session, you’ll receive guidance on one specific tech issue, such as setting up or troubleshooting your computer, smartphone, software, apps, or internet connection. Please bring your device(s). One tech issue per session. Wilberforce branch: Friday, January 2, 10am-12pm Minden Hills branch: Friday, January 16, 1-4pm Stanhope branch: Wednesday, January 21, 12:30-2:30pm Dysart branch: Friday, January 23, 1-3pm |
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Film Screening: Sovereign Soil Join us for a documentary screening of Sovereign Soil, a beautifully filmed exploration of northern life, food sovereignty, and the deep relationship between people and the land. Set in Dawson City, Yukon, the film follows a diverse group of farmers, growers, and land stewards—including Indigenous families. The film is provided courtesy of the National Film Board in collaboration with the Minden Hills Cultural Centre. Minden Hills branch: Thursday, January 15, 1-3pm |
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Needle Felting Winter Landscapes Create a peaceful winter scene using wool, texture, and colour. In this guided hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to needle-felt a winter landscape—soft snowy hills, evergreen trees, starry skies, or whatever frosty view inspires you. No prior experience is needed; all materials are provided. This program is offered in partnership with the Government of Ontario, supporting social connection, creativity, and well-being among older adults in our community. Come craft, chat, and enjoy a relaxing creative session. Free to attend. Registration required.
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How to Care for Houseplants Join us for a fun, informative workshop all about helping your houseplants thrive! A plant expert will guide you through the basics of indoor plant care—including watering, lighting, repotting, soil types, common pests, and easy troubleshooting tips. Bring your questions (and even photos of your plants!) for personalized advice. Registration required. |
Adult Ukulele Groups Minden Hills branch: Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm Stanhope branch: Tuesdays, 4-5:30pm Coffee, Creativity and Conversation Dysart branch: January 6 & 20, 10:30am Spanish Conversation Circle Minden Hills branch: Every Thursday, 4-5pm Savouring Stories Highland Grove branch: Thursday, January 22, 11am-12pm. Cardiff Crafters/ Needle Felting Cardiff branch: Thursday, January 8, 2-3pm Crafternoon Drop-In Stanhope branch: Wednesday, January 21, 1-3pm |
Gooderham Book Club Tuesday, January 27, 11am-12pm Wilberforce Book Club Wednesday, January 28, 3:30-4:30pm Stanhope Book Club Wednesday, January 28, 1-2:30pm Minden Book Club Wednesday, January 28, 2-4pm Knitting Circle Wilberforce branch: every Tuesday from 1-3pm The Yarners SocialMinden Hills branch: every Wednesday from 10am- 12pm Books and Brews Off site: second Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm. Learn more. |
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