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February 2026
| BWG Library this Month | | Welcome to the newest edition of our monthly newsletter! We are proud to be a part of this vibrant community and look forward to being good neighbours for many years to come.
Each month, you'll hear from members of the BWG Library team. Join us as we explore what each area of your library has on the horizon and celebrate some of our accomplishments. | |
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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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We are closed February 15 and 16 for Family Day. |
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With the holiday rush now behind us, we are well on our way into an exciting 2026. Our team is working diligently to ensure your experience at the library is as seamless as possible. From updating our website for better mobile accessibility to creating a more intuitive reservation process for our book club sets, we are committed to making our resources easier for you to use than ever before.
January was a foundational month for several key initiatives. I am pleased to share that the Board has approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the Library. This essential document clearly defines the responsibilities of both parties, marking a significant step forward in our cooperative partnership. We are also preparing for a major (positive) announcement regarding our opening hours this coming March—so please stay tuned for those details!
As we move through February, the library is buzzing with activity. We are currently curating special collections for Black History Month and our team is already preparing for the CVITP tax clinics coming up in the spring. We are also looking ahead to Freedom to Read Week at the end of the month, celebrating the diversity of stories available to all Canadians.
Several talented individuals have accepted roles within our organization. - We are delighted to welcome Olivia as our new Program Development Coordinator; Olivia joins us from the Kingston Frontenac Public Library system and brings a wealth of experience in community outreach and programming.
- Long-time Library Programmer Gail has transitioned into the newly created role of Cultural Services Specialist. This position is a first for BWG Library, and Gail is eager to bring her unique perspective to our cultural events and programs.
- Finally, we are pleased to have Maggie, a dedicated library user and avid reader, join us as our newest Student Page.
Our library is only as strong as the people within it, and I am energized by the passion this team brings to our community every day. We are honoured to be your space for discovery and connection. I hope to see you browsing the shelves or attending a program very soon!
Warmly, Nina Cunniff CEO, BWG Library |
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Program Prose - Highlights and fun insights brought to you by the Programs Team.
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Program Prose
| Highlights and fun insights brought to you by the Programs Team. |
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A huge thank you to everyone who joined our Valentines for Vets Wednesday evening drop-in sessions! We sent 35 handmade cards to Veterans Affairs Canada, ensuring veterans nationwide feel the love this February 14th.
February is packed with variety at BWGPL. You can master a yarn craft at Knit Happens, strum along at the Ukulele Jam, or sharpen your wit with Improv Theatre. If you prefer the heat of competition, join us to watch the Winter Olympics live! We’ll be live streaming some of the most popular Olympic events, including the opening ceremonies, men’s and women’s hockey and more! Come in and cheer on Team Canada throughout the month.
We have some bittersweet news to share this month. Our wonderful Gail has accepted an exciting new position with the Cultural Services team! While we are thrilled for her as she embarks on this next chapter of her career, we will certainly miss her passion and enthusiasm on our Programs team.
Gail’s programs might not be back for February, but we look forward to introducing you to some fresh ideas and new activities once a new Programmer is on board. Please join us in congratulating Gail on her well-deserved new adventure! |
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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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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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Have you met the cutest new addition to our Library of Things? Meet Botley! He’s our newest STEAM item and I think the kids are going to love him! The best part? Your kids won't be bugging you to borrow your phone or tablet. No phones, no tablets, and no apps required. Botley is controlled with a simple remote, so kids can dive right into hands-on fun without any screen time.
When you’re ready to get a little crafty, why not help your kids create personalized homemade Valentine’s gifts using our Cricut Explore Air? Whether you’re cutting vinyl, making cards, or trying something totally new, CreativeBug is full of inspiration. It offers thousands of high-quality, expert-led video classes covering all kinds of arts and crafts—perfect for creators of all ages.
And after a fun-filled day of building and crafting, it’s time to unwind. Curl up together and enjoy a movie on Kanopy, our free, ad-free streaming service featuring thousands of critically acclaimed films, documentaries, classic favourites, and educational content. A full day of learning, creating, and relaxing—all for free with your library card. |
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Tea with Emma - Customer Service Representative Emma spills the tea with anecdotes and straight answers to frequently asked questions. |
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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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I hope you’ve all had a wonderful holiday season and a chance to relax and recharge. It was such a joy to see so many of you during the festive season!
As we step into the new year, many of us are thinking about fresh goals and ways to improve our daily routines. That got me thinking: why not give you a peek into the routines of the Customer Service Specialists who help make the library such a great place? Follow me in the day in the life!
Most days start with a quick meeting that brings all departments together. It’s a chance to greet each other, review which programs are running, and where they’ll be located. This helps CSS staff stay informed so we can assist patrons with any questions.
Next, we open the service desk! This includes turning on our computers, checking study room bookings, and getting the library systems ready for the day. Once the library opens, our team splits up: one person stays at the service desk while the others head to the back of circulation. CSS staff handle returns and organize them onto the proper carts. Depending on how many materials were returned overnight, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour!
Sorting returns is an ongoing task throughout the day... every time books are returned, we make sure they’re processed quickly and taken off your account as soon as possible! During the return process, we often receive a lot of reserved materials. We organize and shelve these reservations so they’re ready for pick up. We also pull any holds that weren’t picked up within the 5-day hold period. If you ever miss a hold—no worries! Just let us know and we’ll happily help you place a new one so you can still get the item you want. |
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At the front desk, our tasks are guided by our wonderful visitors! We answer all kinds of questions about library cards and accounts, reservations, returns, study rooms, printing, and programming inquiries. We’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to ask! CSS staff rotate between the back and the front desk during each shift, so you’ll always have the chance to meet someone new.
At the end of the day, our CSS team makes sure the library closes smoothly and that all patrons have checked out their materials before closing time. Once the doors are closed, we power down the computers and self-checkout stations, turn off the lights, and lock up for the evening. If there are any books or materials left in the back, we quickly organize them so the morning crew can start fresh.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into a day in the life of CSS staff at the library. There are plenty of other tasks we handle that didn’t make the list, so if you’re ever curious, feel free to stop by the front desk—we’re always happy to chat! | | |
Local Histo-Bri - Local History Assistant Brianna shares stories from the past. |
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Local Histo-Bri
| Local History Assistant Brianna shares stories from the past. |
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This month, we are highlighting Henry Hisson, a successful entrepreneur and one of the first Black settlers in East Gwillimbury.
The Origins of the Settlement
East Gwillimbury’s Black settlement was founded in 1881. It began when local sawmill owner William Cane sold land to Edward Provost, Taylor Tamar, and the Hisson family. Prior to this, Cane had provided housing and employment to individuals escaping enslavement via the Underground Railroad.
Henry Hisson’s Story Henry’s father, James Hisson, was born in Vermont in 1803 and eventually moved to Simcoe County before Henry was born. Henry worked for William Cane until he saved enough to purchase 60 acres of land near Concession 5.
On this land, he established a thriving charcoal enterprise. The Hissons became the area's sole suppliers, hauling charcoal as far as Toronto to grow their business.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about the early Black settlers of our region, explore these resources: Read: Early Black settlers arrived in Newmarket via Underground Railroad (Newmarket Today)
Attend: Black History Month 2026 Events with the NACCA and the Black History Conference here at the library. |
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Just Ask Siiri - Community Engagement Facilitator Siiri shares ways the library is connecting with our community. |
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Just Ask Siiri
| Community Engagement Facilitator Siiri shares ways the library is connecting with our community. |
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Need a hand with your taxes this year? If you have a simple tax return and a modest income, you might be eligible for free help from our trained volunteers. We are here to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
How it Works:
1. Sign up: Fill out our online form. 2. Review: A team member will contact you to review your application.
3. Schedule: Staff will set-up an appointment time with one of our volunteers. 4. Prepare: Bring all required documentation to your meeting. 5. File: Submit your taxes with peace of mind
Are you eligible? If you aren't sure if you qualify, we are happy to help!
• Call: 905-775-3328 ext. 6103
• Email Siiri: skhamis@bradford.library.on.ca
Want to give back? We are always looking for CVITP volunteers. Contact us today to learn how you can help your neighbours this tax season. |
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Alan's Blueprint - Emerging Technologies Specialist Alan will guide you through Creative Lab DIY. |
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Alan's Blueprint
| Emerging Technologies Specialist Alan will guide you through Creative Lab DIY. |
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A Heads-Up from the Creative Lab
Look, I’m just going to throw this out there: Valentine’s Day is creeping up on us again. If you want to stay ahead of the game, swing by on February 11th. We’re designing love stickers—an easy win to show someone you’re thinking of them.
Now, let’s be real for a second. There’s a good chance you’ll find yourself on the 14th with no reservation, no flowers, and that slight feeling of panic. I’ve been there. Don’t worry about it—I’ve got your back.
On February 14th, we’re running the "Too Late for Valentine’s Day" Card Workshop. You can sign up ahead of time or just drop in when the realization hits you. Whether it’s for a partner or your mom, a handmade card carries a lot of weight. It looks like you put in a massive amount of effort (and money), but it won't cost you a cent. Come by and make something special.
See you there.
Design Love Stickers | February 11 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Too Late for V-Day Card Workshop | February 14 from 1:30 - 2:30 pm |
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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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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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One of the many things the Information Services team does behind the scenes is create book displays throughout the library. These displays help connect readers with great titles they might not otherwise discover, and one of our most popular is always Staff Picks.
So what makes Staff Picks special? These are books our staff have read, loved, and can’t stop recommending. From page-turning fiction to thought-provoking nonfiction, these are the titles that stayed with us long after the last page.
Be sure to browse the Staff Picks display in the library. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for your next favourite read and one of the easiest ways to see what library staff are excited about right now. |
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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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