Whitby Public Library Centennial

 

Whitby Public Library – Your Doorway to Discovery for 100 years!
 
Celebration Events Listing
 
New programs are being added regularly. Check back often!
 
January
 
6 – Film Night – Creation - English naturalist Charles Darwin struggles to find a balance between his revolutionary theories on evolution and the relationship with his religious wife, whose faith contradicts his work. Central Library.
 
29 – Play for Literacy. Celebrate Family Literacy Day with fun and games for families. Brooklin Branch.
 
February
 
15 - Free to Explore launches – borrow a Skate/Swim pass and discover Whitby’s fabulous recreational facilities.
 
March
 
15 – Crafts from the Past – children are invited to make a spinning toy. Rossland Branch.
 
16 – Button Bonanza – use buttons to make nifty crafts. Rossland Branch.
 
17 – Copper Punch Art – make a beautiful keepsake the old-fashioned way! Rossland Branch.
 
17 - The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book, published in 1911, is still a favourite. Hear the story and help plant a Library Secret Garden. Central Library.
 
19 - Fireside Family Storytime – Curl up beside the fire and listen to some wonderful stories, old and new. Then join us in the Program Room for an old-fashioned craft session and make a whirligig like they did 100 years ago. Central Library.
 
April
 
4 - New eBook service launches – over 1500 titles to choose from. http://digital.whitbylibrary.on.ca/
 
7 - Free to Explore program expanded to include Parkwood Estate – check out a pass and discover the Parkwood Estate National Historic Site and Heritage Garden.   
13 - Join us as we help Susanna Kearsley launch her latest novel, The Rose Garden.The evening is being hosted by Ingrid Ruthig and features an onstage interview, a Q and A, and books for sale by Blue Heron Books. The program begins at 7 p.m. in the Regal Room of the Centennial Building, 416 Centre Street South. Register online or call 905-668-6531 ext. 2010.
16 - Earth Day Special. Children ages 5+ are invited to join us 10 – 11 a.m. for a morning of fun. We’ll share stories, songs, activities and an environmentally friendly craft celebrating the library’s 100th anniversary! Registration begins Wednesday, March 30 at  10 a.m. Brooklin Branch.
21 - Earth Day After School Special – A special program celebrating the 100th anniversary of not only the Whitby Public Library, but the classic children’s story, The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Drop in. Ages 5-7. Central Library.

23 - Easter Craft Special - Hop! Hop! Hop on over to the Brooklin Branch Library, 10 – 11 a.m. for an Easter special! Children ages 5-8 are invited to join us for an old-fashioned craft celebrating the library’s 100th anniversary. Registration begins Wednesday, April 6 at 10 a.m. Brooklin Branch.
May
7 - Mother’s Day Craft Special- Children ages 5+ are invited to join us 10 – 11 a.m. for a special old-fashioned craft just for Mom! Registration begins Wednesday, April 6 at 10 a.m. Brooklin Branch.
10 – Pass the Book 2011 Launch. What will our communities read this year? Find out as Durham libraries reveal this year’s title. Brooklin Branch. 10 a.m.
12 - Choosing a Small Pet Workshop with the Humane Society of Durham Region - A Pass the Book program. Rossland Branch, 6:30 p.m. Register online or call 905 668-1886. A Pass the Book program.
June
2 - Celebrating 100 Years: Family Storytime – 6:30 – 7 p.m. Drop in. Brooklin Branch.
3 - Celebrating 100 Years: Family Storytime – 10:30 – 11 a.m. Drop in. Brooklin Branch.
4 - Celebrating 100 Years: Family Storytime – 10:30 – 11 a.m. Drop in. Brooklin Branch.
4 – Look for us at the Brooklin Spring Fair parade!
18 - Father’s Day Craft Special - Children ages 5+ are invited to join us 10 – 11 a.m. to make a special old-fashioned craft just for Dad! Registration details to follow. Brooklin Branch.
Summer
 
Make and Take Mondays – To celebrate our 100th anniversary, every Monday afternoon from 2:30 - 4:00 (July 11, 18, 25 and August 8, 15, 22, 29), drop-in to re-create a simple craft from long ago and take it home to enjoy. Children of all ages are welcome to stop by our Children’s Program Room and discover good old fashioned fun. Central Library.
July

5 - Music in the Square with the Whitby Brass Band. The Whitby Brass Band's roots stretch back to 1863! Come revel in the bright and dynamic sounds of this amazing community band. 7 p.m. in Celebration Square in front of the Central Library.
13 - Button Bonanza – the Buttons are back! What will Mary create with them this summer? Children ages 5 to 7 are invited to come in and find out. Wednesday, July 13, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Rossland Branch. Registration begins Wednesday, June 29.
 
14 - Copper Punch Art – Children ages 8 and up are invited to make a beautiful summer keepsake – fish, ship, sun…the choice is yours. 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.Rossland Branch. Registration begins Wednesday, June 29.
   
21 - Copper Punch Art – Children ages 6 and 7 and are invited to make a beautiful summer keepsake – fish, ship, sun…the choice is yours. 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Rossland Branch. Registration begins Wednesday, June 29.
 
26 - Mr. Gardner and Walter the Guitar – Children of all ages are invited to join Mr. Gardner and Walter the Guitar for some good old fashioned storytelling and songs. Tuesday, July 26, 11 – 11:45 a.m. Rossland Branch. Free tickets available beginning July 12.

August

2 - Beach Blanket Bingo – Originally called “Beano” because cards were marked with beans. Children ages 7 and up are invited to join Emily for summer bingo. Collect a line, collect a prize. Tuesday, August 2, 10:30 – 11 a.m. Rossland Branch. Registration begins Wednesday, July 27.

4 - Button Bonanza – Button, button, who’s got the buttons? Mary does and she will share them with you if you are 5, 6 or 7. Thursday, August 4, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Rossland Branch. Registration begins Wednesday, July 27.

9 - Book Mobile – Everything was recycled 100 years ago. Children ages 7+ are invited to join Tammy to learn how to turn discarded books into an attractive mobile. Tuesday, August 9, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Rossland Branch. Registration begins Wednesday, July 27.

10 - Spelling Bee – Children ages 7 and up are invited to participate in an old fashioned spelling bee. Wednesday, August 10, 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Rossland Branch

16 - Charcoal Drawing – children ages 8 to 10 are invited to join Molly in learning the art of charcoal drawing. Tuesday, August 16, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Rossland Branch. Registration begins Wednesday, July 27.

24 - Ready for Kindergarten – Did you know kindergarten has been offered in Canada for over 100 years? Children ages 4 and 5 are invited to join Karin to get ready for kindergarten. Wednesday, August 24, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Rossland Branch. Registration begins Wednesday, July 27.

25 - Everyone is invited to join us for some old fashioned storytelling. This is a Pass the Book Event. Family Storytime, Thursday, August 25, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Rossland Branch

September

 
10 - Look for a very special Grand Day celebrating 100 years of the library with grandparents and grandchildren. Beatrice the Mouse will introduce you to some of her animal friends from WHIMZ. Join us at the Whitby Seniors’ Activity Centre for a fun-filled morning. Create some old fashioned crafts, have your photos taken and enjoy the special tooney lunch. Tickets will be available the last week of June at the Central Library and at the Whitby Seniors’Activity Centre.
 
 15 - History of Recorded Sound – a Pass the Book program. More details to follow. Central Library.
 
17 - Heritage Day Special- Join us for a fun-filled morning of costumes, stories, crafts, and activities celebrating the library’s 100th anniversary! More details to follow. Brooklin Branch.
 
21 - Movie night: Bordertown Cafe - A Pass the Book program. More details to follow. Brooklin Branch.
 
October
 
15 – Best-selling author Kelley Armstrong author of the Darkest Powers and Darkness rising series is visiting Whitby! Join us for an onstage interview, reading and book signing. This event takes place at the Centennial Building, located at 416 Centre St. South on October 15, 2011 @ 11 am.

Register online now!

 
17 – Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture launches Ontario Public Library Week at the Whitby Central Library at 2:30 p.m. Find the details here.
 
20 - The Whitby Public Library is excited to be teaming up with Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge and IFOA Ontario to welcome UK writers Sarah Winman and Yvette Edwards to Whitby on October 20.
 
Yvvette Edwards presents her Man Booker Prize longlisted debut novel, A Cupboard Full of Coats, a searing tale of family, jealousy and tragic betrayal as the story of the stabbing death of one women’s mother unfolds. Edwards has had a varied working life in housing, care and benefits. She was born in Barnet and grew up and attended school in Hackney and continues to live in East London with her family.
 
Sarah Winman’s debut, When God Was a Rabbit, is an extraordinary novel about childhood and growing up, friendships and families, triumph and tragedy, and everything in between. Winman grew up in Essex and now resides in London, UK. She attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and went on to act in theatre, film and television.
 
IFOA Durham takes place in the Regal Room at the Centennial Building, 416 Centre Street South, Whitby on Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for are $10 and are available for purchase at all branches of the Whitby Public Library or online.

 
November
 
10 – In celebration of the library’s 100th anniversary, Linda Granfield will be presenting the program John McCrae – The Man Behind “In Flander’s Fields” 10 a.m. Brooklin Branch. Registration in person at the Brooklin Branch or call 905 655-3191.
 
17 - November Noir - Robert Rotenberg, author of Old City Hall and The Guilty Plea, joins us on November 17 at 7 p.m. for a reading and an onstage interview. A criminal lawyer in Toronto, Rotenberg has been receiving acclaim for his Toronto mystery series featuring Detective Ari Greene and a cast of characters inhabiting Toronto courts. Local writer Ingrid Ruthig is hosting the evening. Register online or by calling 905 668-6531, ext. 2010.
 
24 - November Noir - Fans of the Murdoch Mysteries are in for a treat when Maureen Jennings joins us. Author of numerous mysteries, Jennings will be reading from her current novel, Season of Darkness, set in England at the start of the Second World War.
 
Susanna Kearsley, author of The Rose Garden, will be hosting the evening and providing an onstage interview. Register online or by calling 905 668-6531, ext. 2010.