Explore

"My life would lose all meaning if I didn't have the library." ~ Ruby, Guelph resident

A photograph from the Library's Archives collection featuring a bunch of kids tobogganing.

From the Archives: Winter Fun
This photograph from January 1982 shows Cynthia Schram, Michelle McPhee and Melissa Bakker enjoying the winter weather. Explore more of Guelph's rich history in the local history collection on the library's website.

Register for this fun filled virtual games night featuring Jackbox games. Monday, January 18 at 7 p.m.

Register for the virtual event, exploring birds of Ontario with David Chapman. Wednesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. Free.

Join cookbook author Emily Richards as she shares her recipes for Meatballs and more! Register for this virtual event. Thursday, January 28 at 7 p.m.

Enjoy over 300 free online courses through Gale Courses. All you need is your library card.

Explore Gale Courses
Here come the long, dark days of winter: the perfect time for picking up new skills! One of our most popular eResources is Gale Courses, interactive, instructor-led courses that you can take online, in your own home or in the library. These six-week courses are free with a valid library card, and new sessions begin monthly. Whether for professional development or personal enrichment, choose from computer and tech applications, language and the arts, accounting/finance, photography and more. Continue your lifelong learning today!

Wireless Printing is available at the Main Library only for curbside pickup.

Connect

Photograph of new WiFi mobile hotspots available for borrowing with your library card.

Library Fosters a Connected Community
We are honoured to have been awarded a $15,000 Guelph Community Foundation grant supported by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund.

With this funding, the Library has purchased 42 more wireless hotspots to ensure our community can remain connected and supported with portable internet access. These devices help workers and families to have the freedom to use the internet at home or on the go.

These Wi-Fi hotspot devices are available for borrowing with your library card through the library’s catalogue. Each loanable Wi-Fi hotspot will be available for a one-week period. All users must be 18 years or older and follow the Guelph Public Library’s Internet Access Policy.

The Guelph Public Library Board and staff are grateful for the continued support from the Guelph Community Foundation and the Government of Canada’s Emergency Support Fund. Together, we are helping to create a connected and thriving community.

Teens in grades 7 to 12 are encouraged to register to compete against other teens in a fun and friendly environment. Register for this virtual event. Wednesday, January 13 at 7 p.m.

Teens in grades 7 to 12 will prepare recipes provided in advance of the program, and then join other aspiring bakers to chat about tips, strategies, and, yes, blunders! Registration required for this virtual event. Saturday January 30 at 2:30 p.m.

Help Ryerson University learn more about how early childhood services are meeting the needs of children with "atypical development". Participate in this research project.

Community Connections: Inclusive Early Childhood Service System Project (IECSS)
Attention families with younger than school-age children: a Ryerson University research project wants to learn from what you know about getting support for your child and how early childhood services are meeting the needs of children with “atypical development”, “special needs”, “disability”, or “gifts”.

What’s involved: a phone interview with research staff (from 30-minutes up to 2 hours). Interpreters are available at no cost to families and participants receive a $30 gift card as a thank you.

To join the Inclusive Early Childhood Service System Project (IECSS) study or find out more, contact inclusion@ryerson.ca or phone 1-833-671-8003 or 416-979-5263.

Easily download eBooks and eAudiobooks from Cloud Library with your library card. Download the app today!

Thrive

From the Kids Korner:
It was another great year for kids' literature! Children's Librarian, Ben shares his favourite picture books of 2020:

"Hurry Up! : A Book About Slowing Down" by Kate Dopirak
"You Matter" by Christian Robinson
"The Cat Man of Aleppo" by Irene Latham
"Weekend Dad" by Naseem Hrab
"First Day Critter Jitters" by Jory John
"I Talk Like a River" by Jordan Scott

Check out these books and many more in 2021 at www.guelphpl.ca. All you need is your library card!

Join Ben for stories and songs. This pre-recorded program can be enjoyed throughout the week before naptime, bedtime, or anytime! Ages: Preschool Registration required.

Coming to you live from the library! Join us online for 20 minutes of songs, stories and fingerplays. Ages 2 to 5 years. Please register once per household for this seven-week series.

Travel the world together. Use your imagination to explore, connect and thrive. The library can help! Celebrate Family Literacy day 2021!

A bunch of library staff wearing masks and holding up letters that spell thanks.

Thank you for your continued support
As we look back on 2020, we’d like to take this opportunity to share our thanks with everyone who supported the Guelph Public Library during this challenging year.

Your generosity and partnership has helped to:

Enrich, improve and transform live
Deliver new resources, technologies, programs and services
Ensure critical community-wide access to lifelong learning opportunities
Rally support for a new Central Library
Provide endless opportunities to Explore, Connect and Thrive
Build a thriving community, created together

Thank you from all of us at the Guelph Public Library for helping our community shine more brightly.

All library locations are open for curbside pickup. Hours include: Monday to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays at the Main Library only between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.