Programs

You can visit the calendar to view some of the upcoming programs.

Author Events

Glynis Peters

December 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

Terry O'Reilly

November 18, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

Lisa Unger

October 26, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on the Zoom platform. Join us as we meet virtually with internationally bestselling author, Lisa Unger (Confessions on the 7:45, The Stranger Inside, Under My Skin). Unger will discuss her latest thriller, Last Girl Ghosted. Signed copies of her book will be available for purchase. Email us to get on the list. Zoom codes will be sent out close to the event date. A Muskoka Libraries collaboration.

Susan Kelly

If you were unable to join us on September 2, 2021 or would like to revisit the virtual event with author and retired registered nurse, Susan P. Kelly as she discussed her book on wellness, Still Sexy After Sixty: 7 secrets to finding life's sweet spot, the recording is available to view on YouTube. A Muskoka Libraries collaboration.

Pam Jenoff

If you were unable to join us on August 18, 2021 or would like to revisit the virtual live webinar with author Pam Jenoff (The Orphan's Tale, The Last Summer on Chelsea Beach, The Lost Girls of Paris) as she discussed her latest book, The Woman with the Blue Star, the recording is available to view on YouTube. A Muskoka libraries collaboration.

Kimberly Alexander and Dale Curd

If you were unable to join us on July 8, 2021 or would like to revisit the virtual live webinar with Kim Alexander and Dale Curd, authors of Living Lightly, the recording is available to view on YouTube. Dale Curd is a mental health professional, the host of CBC TV's Hello Goodbye and a co-host of Life Story Project on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Kimberley Alexander is a therapist with an online practice. Dale and Kim founded The Child Therapy List and The Men’s List, to encourage and help people find therapy services and end mental health stigma. Milford Bay, Muskoka is home for Dale and Kim, where they live on a small farm. A Muskoka libraries collaboration.

Linwood Barclay

If you were unable to join us on June 3, 2021 or would like to revisit the virtual live webinar with author Linwood Barclay (The Noise Downstairs, Broken Promise, The Chase) as he discussed his latest book, Find You First, the recording is available to view on YouTube. A Muskoka libraries collaboration.

Kate Hilton

If you were unable to join us May 4, 2021 or would like to revisit the virtual live webinar with author Kate Hilton (Just Like Family, The Hole in the Middle) as she discussed her latest book, Better Luck Next Time, the recording is available to view on YouTube. A Muskoka libraries collaboration.

Nadia Hashimi

If you were unable to join us on April 8, 2021 or would like to revisit the virtual live webinar with author Nadia Hashimi (The Pearl that Broke Its Shell, A House Without Windows) as she discussed her latest book, Sparks Like Stars, the recording is available to view on YouTube. A Muskoka libraries collaboration.

Susan Nairn

If you were unable to join us on March 25, 2021 or would like to revisit the virtual live webinar with Muskoka author Susan Nairn as she discussed her book, The Waking Hours, the first in The Relative series, the recording is available to view on YouTube.

Jennifer Robson

If you were unable to join us on February 25, 2021 or would like to revisit the virtual live webinar with author Jennifer Robson (The Gown, Goodnight from London, Moonlight Over Paris) as she discussed her latest book, Our Darkest Night, the recording is available to view on YouTube. A Muskoka libraries collaboration.

Emma Donoghue

If you were unable to join us on November 24, 2020 or would like to revisit virtual live webinar with Emma Donoghue (Room, The Wonder, Akin) as she discussed her latest book, The Pull of the Stars, the recording is available to view on YouTube. A Muskoka libraries collaboration.

Mahjong

Our Muskoka Lakes Public Library Mahjong players met every Monday morning at 10 in the Heritage Room at the Port Carling branch, in the 'before times'. They didn't let the pandemic closures and restrictions stop them from playing the game they all enjoy, though! They have been meeting at a private Mahjong table, online, since all the closures. Interested in joining them? Contact Val Duke for access information. valerieduke@gmail.com

Reading Challenge 2021

Challenge yourself this year to go out of your reading comfort zone. Can you check off 21 of the following reading challenges this year? 21 books sound too daunting? Don’t let it be! Some books can check more than one category! The 2-page challenge list can be printed at home or a copy can be picked up at the library.

Challenge	Title & Author	Date read
A banned book
A memoir or autobiography
A childhood favourite
A young adult book
An immigrant or refugee’s story
The story takes place in Canada
The book has 500+ pages
It has a one-word title
It was made into a film
It was mentioned on the radio
It’s based on a real event
It’s an author you have never read
The author has your first or last name
A book by an Indigenous author
The novel is older than you
The book has a colour in the title
The book has a season in the title
The book features a witch or magic
The book has a cover you dislike
The genre is not one you normally read
A book you own but have not read
An e-book
An audiobook
A book of poetry
The first book in a series
A western
A romance
A who-done-it mystery
A thriller
A science fiction
A fantasy
A book written in diary or letter style
A CBC Reads 2021 book
A Giller Prize winner
A Man Booker Prize winner
A non-fiction book
A book about Muskoka
A book about a different culture
A book from a grandparent’s birthplace
A book recommended by a friend
An historical fiction
A book less than 200 pages
A book with two authors
A book with the same title as another but with a different author than the other
A book by an author that writes under more than one name
A book by a debut author
A book by a Muskoka fiction author
A book on a controversial topic
A book written by a female person of colour
A science book
A book that has a sport in the storyline
A classic
A book you had to read in school
A book set in the future
A book published this year

Something Learned

Check out our YouTube channel containing instructional videos on a variety of topics such as this one about tie dying
Get Clear 2021 Intention Setting

Download this self-directed activity to help guide you through the year ahead with purpose and intention.

Self Care Guide 2021

Download this self-directed self care guide. Self care is not selfish. You cannot give others what you don’t have yourself. Self-care encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can transmit the good feelings to others. Fill your own cup, so you have more of yourself to share with the help of this activity guide.

Story Trails

Story Trails are a fun way to enjoy reading while spending time outdoors. Community members are invited to visit Hanna Park in Port Carling and the Township of Muskoka Lakes Sports Park in Bala and walk the path as you read the book. This is a self-guided tour that families can enjoy at their leisure.

Take and Make

We make up kits for you to take home and make! We have them for adults and for kids. Note: Some of the kits are per household and some are per person. A reminder that you must be an active Muskoka Lakes Public Library cardholder to participate in this program. First come, first served. No reserves.

Available now

Paper cactus kits

Yarn birds

Book folding sculptures

Family Movie Night packs: Borrow with your library card. Each parcel comes with two curated DVDs focused around a theme (one G-rated, the other PG), a bag of microwave popcorn, and a craft to enjoy with your household.

Nature Club handouts: highlighting some of Muskoka's flora and fauna for outside discovery with information sheets and family activities

Positivity packs: These little packs will include some inspiration, some activities and some practices to cultivate a little more awareness and joy in the day to day. These have been designed for all ages

Paper mache owl -sold out but watch our YouTube video to DIY