Explore

Photograph of Dan Atkins, new Guelph Public Library CEO

Meet our new CEO, Dan Atkins
We're excited to announce that Dan Atkins has been appointed CEO of the Guelph Public Library by the Board of Directors.

Dan has been a part of the Library since 2006, starting as a Reference Librarian followed by supervising the Bookmobile, Bullfrog Mall Branch and the Westminster Square Branch. He then returned to the Main Library as the Director of Finance and eventually, became the Deputy CEO. Get to know Dan as he embarks on this new role.

What's your favourite book?
The Great Gatsby, or anything to do with chess.

What's the Library's greatest strength?
Our role as community connector — we bring people, resources and ideas together in a way that's transformative.

What should patrons know about the work we do?
Everything we do is driven by them. From designing services and programs, we listen to their needs and aspirations.

What are some key things you're hoping to advance for the Library?
Building capacity at the new Central Public Library, with innovative services, thoughtful programming and a welcoming space. I’m also excited to explore opportunities for radical collaboration and further embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into everything we do.

Join us in-person at the Diana Downtown Restaurant to discuss "Pageboy" by Elliot Page. For adults. Please register. Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. in the Diana Downtown Restaurant.

Join us in the Children's Department (second floor of the Main Library) to chat about the previous book, do a craft and start reading this month's new book as a group. Please submit one registration for the entire family. Wednesday, December 18 at 6 p.m. in the Main Library.

Each month we will feature a local children's author or illustrator for a special storytime and craft. This month, artist Nancy Myslik will be reading the picture book she illustrated titled, "Tilly Belle A Christmas Adventure". For families. Register at www.guelphpl.ca/events

Connect

Drop by the Main Library every Friday afternoon between 2 and 4:30 p.m. for one-on-one help exploring your Family History with members of the Wellington County Branch of Ontario Ancestors.

Guelph's Shared Borrowing Partnerships
Residents of Guelph and Milton can now borrow from each other’s libraries – all you need is a library card issued from either city to access more materials at additional locations.

Guelph Public Library also enjoys reciprocal borrowing agreements with Cambridge Public Library, Wellington County Public Library, and Waterloo Public Library. The addition of Milton Public Library means residents can borrow from more than 21 additional locations outside of Guelph.

What you need to know about reciprocal borrowing:

Sign up for a library card at each library system with your current library card and identification
Pick up your holds and requests from the library you requested them from
Return books and pay fees to the branch system they come from
Report lost library cards to the system you received them from

Visit our website to learn how to take advantage of Guelph’s shared borrowing partnerships.

Unable to visit the library? We can come to you! Our Visiting Library service is a free service for anyone who is unable to visit the library due to age, illness or disability.

Try something new! From park passes to board games, take a look at some of the non-traditional items available for check out: monitors and meters, hobbies and kits, tech and robotics, permits and passes, fun and games, accessible devices.

Check out the Library of Things
Try something new! From park passes to radon detectors, take a look at some of the non-traditional items available for check out with your library card:

Monitors and Meters
Hobbies and Kits
Tech and Robotics
Permits and Passes
Fun and Games
Assistive Technology

'Twas the night before murder and all through the house... Join us for a winter-themed Murder Mystery Party! Ugly festive sweaters encouraged. For teens. Please register.

Gather your friends and family virtually to test your knowledge of festive trivia. Please register. For adults.

Visit the Main Library to wrap your holiday gifts. We will have a selection of recycled materials available to make your holiday gifts look spectacular! Available while supplies last.

Thrive

For fans of Hallmark Holiday Movies, check out these holiday romances in the library's catalogue. Click on the picture to go to the catalogue.

Snuggle up by Kanopy’s Festive Fireplace this December and enjoy other highlights in their #HomeViewingfortheHolidays collection. To celebrate the cinematic season, just go to kanopy.com/category/24372

Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of online art and craft classes, anytime - anywhere with your library card and Creativebug.

Creativebug
Are you looking to make homemade gifts or decorations this season? Creativebug makes learning new skills easy! Create an account linked to your library card to access thousands of video tutorials, downloadable resources and classes. Learn how to sew stockings to hang by the fireplace, needle felt a cute present for a loved one or brush up on your gift wrapping techniques. Creativebug also offers videos for teens and kids at all skill levels. Try it out yourself through the library's website or download the app and discover a new hobby with your library card!

Dance and sing with Erick Traplin at this high energy, interactive, musical show filled with audience participation in our Westminster Square Branch on Sunday December 15 at 2:30 p.m.. For families. No registration required.

Join Rumple and Friends for a super silly magic show. For primary and junior grades. No registration required. Saturday, December 28 at 2 p.m. in the Main Library

Celebrate the new year with this interactive, fun, magic show followed by a dance party for kids! For primary and junior grades. No registration required. Tuesday, January 2 at 2:30 p.m. in the Main Library

Children's Books to Celebrate Hanukkah. Place your holds at www.guelphpl.ca/catalogue or email askus@guelphpl.ca to get started.

Children's Books to celebrate Kwanzaa. Place your holds at www.guelphpl.ca/catalogue or email askus@guelphpl.ca to get started.

All library locations are closed on December 25 and 26 - and open on December 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Regular hours resume December 27.