Programs
Visit the calendar to view some of the upcoming programs.
Art for Adults |
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Painting Club for AdultsFridays (excluding the 3rd Friday of each month) January 12, 2024 to May 24, 2024 (excluding the 3rd Friday of each month) Do you need just an extra bit of motivation to finish that project or to start a new one? Join the painting club at the library! The Painting Club is designed to provide those who love to draw and paint, an opportunity to explore their art in a non-instructional, informal, relaxed setting. Beginners, hobbyists and practiced artists are invited to gather together to gain inspiration, share tips and techniques and just enjoy each other’s creative company. Bring your own materials. We will have the studio ready for you! Table easels, water containers, and coffee will be supplied. Registration is required. 705-765-5650.
Artworks for Adults3rd Friday of each month *please note that the April program is running on the 26th* October 20, 2023 to December 15 Nancy Gray Ogle will help participants, both beginner and experienced, develop and hone artistic skills by teaching techniques and processes. A variety of mediums will be explored. All supplies are included. Free. Registration is required and is open on the first of each month for that month's class. 705-765-5650. |
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Arts and Crafts for Kids and Youth |
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Creative Kids Craft ClubSaturdays January 20, 2024 to May 11, 2024 All kids will enjoy this weekly Saturday program that offers a variety of craft activities designed for all ages. Registration required by Thursday at 4:00 p.m. each week to attend the following Saturday session. Children age 9 and under must have a parent or guardian remain in the library for the duration of the session. Weekly registration is required and is open from Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to Thursday at 4:00 p.m. for that week's session. 705-765-5650. Drawing and Painting Course for YouthSaturdays Spring term: March 23 to May 4 (excluding April 20) For youth aged 10 to 15 These 6 week courses will have young artists learning the basics of drawing and painting using a variety of media. Students will develop skills in drawing , pen and ink, watercolour, pastel and acrylic under the guidance of artist Nancy Gray Ogle. This program is perfect for youth wanting to improve their artistic skills, develop new ones or who just want to give it a try. For beginner and practiced young artists. Participation in previous programs not required. Must register for complete 6 week Winter term by Jan 20 2024 All materials supplied, at no cost. Registration is required. 705-765-5650. |
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Art on the Shelf |
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June 11th - July 9th Canvas pickup Port Carling and Bala Patrons are encouraged to come into either the Port Carling or the Bala branch, to pick up a blank 4x4 canvas. Use any medium to create your mini masterpiece - paint, collage, markers, pencils - anything goes! Be sure to return your completed canvas on or before July 9th, so that it can be featured in the Art on the Shelf Exhibit. Entries from artists aged JK-grade 8 will be featured in our Mini Masters Exhibit. July 16th - August 13th Art on the Shelf Exhibit Port Carling Submitted artwork will be displayed throughout the library. All visitors to the Port Carling branch will be encouraged to vote for the canvas that they feel is deserving of the People's Choice Award, in both the Masters and the Mini Masters categories. Artists may choose for their submissions to be available for sale, with proceeds going towards purchasing materials for future MLPL art and craft programs. Masters artwork will be sold for $20, and Mini Masters for $5. Sales will begin when the exhibit opens, on July 16th! Artists may pick up their painting from the library at the end of the exhibit, any time after August 13th. |
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Book Club |
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2nd Wednesday of the month 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Port Carling Join us the on second Wednesday of the month for thought-provoking conversation about the books of the month. Some of you only read fiction. Some prefer non-fiction so, most months, a fiction title and a non-fiction title will be discussed. Not to worry if you aren't able to read both books. Come out anyway and hear about the thoughts and opinions about each of the books! New members are always welcome!
Fiction: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Fiction: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Fiction: The Lipstick Bureau by Michelle Gable Non-fiction: H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Fiction: When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi Non-fiction: Call Me Indian by Fred Sasakamoose
Fiction: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Fiction: The Boat People by Sharon Bala |
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Coffee Break |
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Let's get together and have coffee, tea, treats, and camaraderie at the Port Carling branch! Free! All welcome.
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Knitting Group |
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Thursdays 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. September to May Port Carling No need to knit alone through the fall and winter! Drop in to share patterns, get inspiration, discuss your latest yarn project, or venture into book discussion and conversations with other knitters and needlecrafters of all abilities. Bring your project and get knitting! No registration required. |
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LEGO |
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Stay tuned for this program to start up again in Fall 2024 Port Carling
Please be aware that this program is cancelled when school buses are cancelled. |
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Mah Jongg and Euchre |
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Thursdays Interested in playing with others in the comfort of the library in a non-competitive format? Join us at 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays on the lower level of the library in Port Carling. For experienced players and those who would like to learn the games. We also have chess boards on hand! Come solo, with a partner, or team up once here. Coffee provided. A non-perishable donation to the West Muskoka Food Bank is always appreciated, but never necessary. Any questions, please call us at 705-765-5650 |
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Muskoka Children's Choir |
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Wednesdays beginning April 17th, final concert on June 12 5:00 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Port Carling For children in grades 1 through 6 If you have a child that loves to sing, call (705 765-5650) or email (muskokalakes@pclib.ca) the Port Carling library to register, or come on out to the library in Port Carling on registration night held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 5:00pm - 5:50pm. If you have a child that loves to sing but is nervous about performing, this is a great no pressure, fun group setting. You are encouraged to come on the first night and meet Choirmaster Sarah Lundy and give it a try, and then decide. Free! |
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Pre-school Play and Story Hour |
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Wednesdays
Please be aware that this program is cancelled when school buses are cancelled. |
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Reading Challenge 2024 |
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Do you like to set reading goals for the year? Stuck for reading material to fit the challenge? Contact us and we'll help you find books to fit the criteria!
January: Historical fiction February: A number in the title March: Fantasy/dystopian/sci fi/speculative April: Biography/autobiography May: Has been made into a TV show or a movie June: Murder - Real or fiction July: Written by a Canadian August: Has a colour in the title September: Has won an award October: Has a lot of hype around it November: First in a series December: Classic/timeless
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Seed Library |
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Our Seed Library is now open and we are looking for members to join us in growing this season! Free seeds are available at the Port Carling Branch! Our cardholders are welcome to take home up to five mini packets of seeds to get your garden started! The seeds are from Hawthorn Farms and are certified organic, open-pollinated, and non-GMO. Available seed varieties at this time include:
By joining the Muskoka Lakes Public Library Seed Library, you are committing to our mission statement: "borrow | grow | share". You promise to: Plant the seeds you borrow and care for them to the best of your ability, commit to learn and grow personally through this process (and hopefully grow some food too!), share seeds that you have saved and bring them back to the library so that we can do it all again and again and again! You can sign up anytime here in the library. Read the 2023 newsletters (found below) for information, tips, and all kinds of book selections from our collection to help inspire your garden. Let's grow!
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Seniors' Lecture and Lunch Series |
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Stay tuned for this program to start up again in Fall 2024 |
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Special Events |
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Story Trails |
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Story Trails are a fun way to enjoy reading while spending time outdoors. Community members are invited to visit Hanna Park in Port Carling and the Township of Muskoka Lakes Sports Park in Bala, June to September, and walk the path as you read the book. Book titles are changed out every two to three weeks. This is a self-guided tour that families can enjoy at their leisure. |
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Yoga on a Chair for Every Body |
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Tuesdays Something new has been added to Yoga on a Chair for Every Body at our Bala branch; in response to numerous requests, you can now also attend the class online! Lindsey Edwards' classes are fun and therapeutic, held Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Drop-ins are welcome, or you can call Lindsey, 705-706-4036, to pre-register to attend in-person or online. Chairs provided. Bring your own mat, if you wish, for under the chair. Suggested $10 or pay what you will. |
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