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outside of the Norma and Miller Alloway Library in Port Carling

Library service came to our area in the 1880s with the Mechanic's Institute. Today the Muskoka Lakes Public Library has two branches to serve the needs of our residents and visitors.  The main branch is located in Port Carling at 69 Joseph Street, beside the hardware store. It is open year round, six days a week, and offers a wide variety of services such as books, videos, online resources, public computers including one that is fully accessible, programming, local historical records, free public internet access, printing, faxing, and scanning, and exam proctoring.

The Library strives to provide library services in a convenient and accessible way that meets the specific needs of the person with disabilities, including those who are housebound or institutionalized. This may involve providing an alternative measure on a temporary or permanent basis that enables a person with a disability, including those who are housebound or institutionalized to obtain, use or benefit from library services.

The Bala branch is located at 1008 Maple Avenue at the Bala Community Centre. It is open year round, two days a week, and offers book and video lending and free public internet access. Both locations offer "always on" free wireless internet access, a very popular service for our year round and seasonal residents, and the many visitors that come through the area.  Membership to the Muskoka Lakes Public Library is free to Muskoka residents and taxpayers, and available to visitors for a fee of $25 for a six-month membership.  

To learn more about Muskoka Lakes Public Library, view our Library Board's minutes and policies, including our Mission Statement, our Vision Statement, and the Strategic Plan. Find out how you can support the library, and read more about the history of the library in Port Carling and history of the library in Bala.

We are not just books

Branches and hours

Inside browsing, check out, and return of items is available during hours of operation in both branches.

Book drops are open 24/7. 

Our branches have accessible entranceways. Learn more about the accessibility services that we offer.

Port Carling

69 Joseph Street, Box 189
Port Carling Ontario P0B 1J0

Telephone: 705-765-5650

Email Port Carling Library We will endeavour to respond within two business days.

  • Monday: closed
  • Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 to 3:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: closed

Bala

1008 Maple Avenue, Bala Ontario P0C 1A0 

Telephone: 705-762-1086

Email Bala Library We will endeavour to respond within two business days.

  • Tuesday: 9:00-3:00
  • Thursday: 9:00-3:00

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© 2019 Township of Muskoka Lakes, 1 Bailey St., P.O. Box 129, Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0, T: 705-765-3156 F: 705-765-6755

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