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March 2026 | Vol. 1, Issue 3
| BWG Library Chapters | | Welcome to the latest chapter of our story! Each month, we open our doors—and our pages—to share the vibrant life of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library.
In this edition, you will hear directly from the people who make our space thrive. Our team members have curated updates on everything from new multicultural art series to the "behind-the-scenes" work in our archives. We invite you to explore what each area of the library has on the horizon as we celebrate our collective accomplishments and look forward to being your neighbour for many years to come. | |
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Library Hours:
Monday - Friday | 9:30 am - 8 pm* Saturday | 10 am - 5 pm Sunday | 1 - 5 pm |
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As we bid farewell to a busy February, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible energy we felt throughout the library. From the successful Black Brilliance & Excellence Conference—a huge thank you to the Olundara Foundation for their partnership in making that day so impactful—to the Book Sale and Jazz in the library to our Olympics Watch Parties, the library has truly been a hub of celebration.
It was a pleasure to host the reception for our Artist-in-Residence, Dr. Jill Price, and her immersive installation, We Are Forest. This beautiful canopy of paper leaves, crafted from recycled books, is currently on display in the MacGregor Alcove. I encourage you to visit the display and take a moment to write a letter to the trees on seed paper at our wooden writing desk. Your messages will literally be planted this spring to help our local pollinators.
March is looking just as bright. We are finalising an exciting line-up of March Break programs and fresh initiatives for all ages. Book lovers should keep an eye on our website for the new Readers' Corner which will feature a dedicated section featuring updates for book clubs and reading recommendations.
In honour of International Women’s Day, we are also hosting several events to celebrate the voices and contributions of women in our community.
*Big Announcement: We’re Staying Up Late!
I am thrilled to announce an official change to our operating hours: Starting March 25, the library will be open until 9 pm every Wednesday and Thursday. To celebrate, please join us for our inaugural late-night event on Wednesday, March 25: Up Late at the Library. Pick up a "passport to the night" at the door, take a self-guided tour of the building, and explore everything we have to offer—from the Creative Lab to our Local History archives. It is the perfect chance to see the library in a whole new light!
Our team is growing and evolving!
We have a new Library Programmer! Shannon joins us with a background in Anthropology, History, and War Studies. She brings fantastic experience in public outreach and education from her time at Heritage Toronto and Hillary House. We are especially happy to have her wealth of customer service knowledge and her passion for community storytelling. We are delighted to announce that David has moved into a full-time Information Services Specialist role. His dedication to helping patrons find exactly what they need has always been an asset, and we are so glad to have him on the team in an expanded capacity. A very warm "welcome back" to Sam, who has returned from maternity leave! She rejoins our Community Engagement team, and we have truly missed her creative energy and commitment to our residents.
Whether you are coming in to borrow a new title, attend a workshop, or simply enjoy the space, your support is what makes this library a true community hub. We look forward to seeing you (a little later into the evening!) this March.
Warmly,
Nina Cunniff CEO, BWG Library |
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Culturally Yours,
| From the sidelines to the spotlight, Gail shares the cultural highlights that move our community. |
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March is an exciting month in Cultural Services as we celebrate creativity, community, and the outstanding contributions of women. Be sure to check out our programming calendar for special International Women’s Day programs at the Library!
Join us the first week of March as we celebrate International Woman's Day and shine a light on some incredible women in the BWG community. From March 1 - 8, drop by the Zima Room to browse a vibrant display of artwork by talented local women from around our community.
On Sunday, March 1st, we welcome you to the Unseen, Unheard, Amplified event celebrating woman who make powerful contributions that often go unrecognized.
On Sunday, March 8th we invite you to join us for Her Voice, Her Story, an International Women’s Day Open Mic organized by the BWG Diversity Action Group. Hear stories from inspiring community members or share your own.
We’re thrilled to launch BWG Creates, a new multicultural art series that showcases the diverse artistic voices that make Bradford West Gwillimbury vibrant. Each month, the series will highlight a different culture, offering hands-on opportunities to learn, create, and connect. Stay tuned for more about our first featured artist and upcoming workshops! |
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Program Prose
| Highlights and fun insights brought to you by the Programs Team. |
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Seeing the library full of people cheering, reading, and creating together is exactly what we love to see.
Our Winter Reading Bingo was a huge success! So many people completed a bingo card and were entered into the draw for gift cards to local businesses. Winners will be contacted later this week. Look for more reading challenges in the summer when Read For Your Ward returns.
This month, people of all ages gathered in the library’s atrium to watch the Olympic Games. From the opening ceremonies, we’ve been showing as many events as possible, and the action’s not over yet – the Paralympics start Friday March 6th. Be sure to drop by and cheer on Team Canada in between picking up books, working on our community puzzle or attending a program.
We’re also looking ahead to March Break, with lots of activities for kids and teens. Drop into one of our three themed parties, make a custom keychain in the Lab, learn a new dance routine, or get crafty with one of our many programs. Plus, Seedy Saturday is back. If you’re thinking about getting your garden started, drop by to exchange seeds during our seed swap. The kids can enjoy a special garden themed story time and try planting a seed. |
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Melissa's Must Haves
| Melissa is our Acquisitions and Collections Specialist and she's always on the hunt for "things" to add to our collection. |
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I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hibernating through these cold, snowy winter months. And I know I’m not alone—many of you are probably wondering how to keep the kids entertained during March Break!
If you’re ready for some adventure, check out one of our GoPro camera kits and capture exciting moments in the winter air. Not quite ready to head outdoors? No problem! You can explore from the comfort of home with one of our immersive reality (IR) kits. Travel the world, journey through space, or discover animals in the wild with engaging non-fiction books that come to life using IR goggles and a free mobile app. (And if immersive reality isn’t your thing, the books are just as enjoyable on their own.) Thinking it might be best to keep hibernating? Maybe check out PressReader to see what's going on in the world or get to know your vehicle better with Auto Repair Source as you plan your summer road trips.
So much adventure, all with your library card! |
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Tea with Emma
| Customer Service Specialist Emma spills the tea with anecdotes and straight answers to frequently asked questions. |
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Spring is (hopefully!) just around the corner, and with a new season comes a few fresh updates — one of which you’ll notice here at the library. Our study rooms continue to be available for free however, we do have an important change to share.
As some of you may have already noticed, users are now asked to show a form of ID at the service desk when checking into a study room. This can be anything from a driver’s licence or student card to membership cards from other institutions, like the Leisure Centre or even Costco. As long as it includes your first and last name, we’ll accept it! You’re welcome to use your library card as well, though you do not need to be a cardholder to book a study room.
These changes ensure that study rooms are used by the people who have reserved them and help staff to keep each space clean, orderly, and ready for the next person. These guidelines help us protect your bookings, maintain an organized environment, and support our patrons more effectively!
A Quick Reminder: If you finish with your study room early or your time is up, please let a staff member at the desk know. It’s a small step that helps us keep the rooms running smoothly for everyone! If you have any questions, please check out the study room guidelines on our website or give the service desk a call, we are always happy to hear from you!
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention — the study rooms just got a fresh new coat of paint! |
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Local Histo-Bri
| Local History Assistant Brianna shares stories from the past. |
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Did you know that the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library has been collecting local heritage items since 1992?
The Bradford Public Library primarily acquires materials for our local history archive from generous donations made by members of our community. Once we receive a donation, we take some time to appraise, accession, arrange, describe, and store the materials according to standardized archival rules. Standardized archival rules help archives ensure that their materials are safely preserved and more readily accessible. Thanks to thirty-four years of donations, our archive contains a wide variety of photographs, historical publications, artifacts, geological research, microfilm, and maps. Many of these materials can be viewed through our online archive or through an appointment.
If you would like to know more about our archive, visit our Local History webpage. |
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| Photo: A sketch of the Bradford Public Library by D. Wadsworth. Dated June 1985.
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Just Ask Siiri
| Community Engagement Facilitator Siiri shares ways the library is connecting with our community. |
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Food is more than just fuel; it is a record of our history. Often, that history is written by women whose contributions were never recorded in textbooks.
This March, we are changing that. Join us for Her Recipes, Her Stories, a community project dedicated to preserving the culinary legacies of the women who shaped us. We are building a living archive of the dishes that mean the most to this community, and we need your contribution.
How to Participate:
• Pick up a card: Find them at our display table. • Write it down: Share a favourite recipe—whether it is a complex family heirloom or a simple discovery.
• Tell the story: Where it came from. Why it matters. If there is a woman connected to the dish, tell us about her.
• Submit: Drop your completed card into the community recipe box. You can sign your name or remain anonymous.
This project is open to everyone. You do not have to identify as a woman to participate; we invite the entire community to honour the women who have sustained us through food, tradition, and care. Let’s make sure these stories aren’t forgotten. |
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Alan's Blueprint
| Emerging Technologies Specialist Alan will guide you through Creative Lab DIY. |
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The Creative Lab just got a major upgrade: we now have a sublimation printer!
Forget "put a bird on it"—you can now "put your mug on a mug." Use the magic of sublimation technology to permanently print your face (or any design you fancy) onto a ceramic mug. It is a fantastic way to create a personalized gift or the perfect office cup that nobody will "accidentally" borrow.
Custom Mugs: $10 (Includes the ceramic mug, your print, and use of the heat press). Bring Your Own: $1 for an 8.5" x 11" print (Must be a sublimation-compatible item). Availability: Check the Creative Lab webpage for our current open hours.
Warning: side effects may include excessive smiling while drinking your tea. |
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Reader's Advisory, EH?
| We dare you to find someone who loves books more than our Information Services Specialists. We'll wait... And while we're waiting, Elisa will spill their secrets on literary trends and deep-dive research tips. |
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March Break is the perfect time for kids to relax, explore new interests, and dive into a great book—and your library is here to help.
Find the Right Book for Every Reader. Our staff is ready to help match your child with adventure stories, graphic novels, mysteries, or laugh-out-loud reads they’ll truly enjoy. Not sure what to choose next? Information Specialists are available at the front desk! Tell us a favourite book, author, or topic, and we will suggest new titles tailored to any unique interest.
Homework Help & Research Support. March Break sometimes comes with projects, reading assignments, or exam prep. Our Reference team can assist with:
• Finding reliable information for school projects • Using online databases and digital resources
• Choosing books at the right reading level
Make the Library Part of Your Break. Visit us this week to pick up a fresh stack of books, explore our curated displays, or get personalized reading suggestions. To learn about specific programs and activities, visit the Information Services Desk or email us at infoservices@bradford.library.on.ca. We look forward to seeing you at the library! |
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Do you have a story to tell?
Submit your stories, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. Make your voice be heard. |
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