Summer Special Events | Muskoka Lakes Public Library

The Friends of the Library are a group dedicated to promoting, supporting and improving the services and facilities of our libraries in Bala and Port Carling. Our Annual Silent Action runs for one month and has been a great success for the past many years. Check out this year's online auction, which runs from July 10th until August 7th.
https://www.32auctions.com/mlplfriends14

The Art on A Shelf Exhibit returns this summer, inviting both adults and youth in grades 9 and up, to display artwork among the book shelves at our Port Carling branch. In addition, there will be a second exhibit – the Mini Masters Kids Art Show exhibits the mini creations from children in grades 1 through 8. This is your chance to show off your creativity – use any medium to create any image.

Want to be a participating artist? You can pick up your free canvas board, at both Bala and Port Carling branches, as of Tuesday, June 24 with a deadline to return the finished masterpiece by Friday, July 18th.

Canvas Pickups - Port Carling and Bala	June 24th - July 18th
Art on the Shelf Exhibit - Port Carling	July 22nd - August 16th
Mini Masters Exhibit - Port Carling	July 22nd - August 16th
People's Choice Voting - Port Carling	July 22nd - August 16th
People's Choice Announced - Port Carling	August 19th

The Art on A Shelf Exhibit returns this summer, inviting both adults and youth in grades 9 and up, to display artwork among the book shelves at our Port Carling branch. In addition, there will be a second exhibit – The Mini Masters Kids Art Show will be an exhibit of mini creations from children in grades 1 through 8.

Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite piece, with People’s Choice ballots available to fill out. Many of the artworks from both exhibits will be available to purchase, with proceeds going to support your library.

Come to the library during July 22nd to August 16th to view, enjoy, vote and maybe take home a piece of artwork created by a local artist!

Stop by the Bala branch all summer long to paint a rock which we will add to our ever growing rock snake, and while you're there, leave your artistic mark on the drop box! Special paint markers will be provided, along with rocks for our Make-a-Snake.

Come to the Port Carling branch for a painting class during which you will be guided by Nancy Hunter in an easy-to-follow, interactive session.
$45 per class, registration required by contacting Nancy Hunter at art@nancyhunter.ca

July 18th	1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Beached Watercolour Workshop. This step-by-step class will guide you through the process of creating a completed painting. Easy and fun, no experience necessary.
August 22nd	1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.	A Walk in the Woods Acrylic Paint Day - create a small acrylic landscape without stepping outdoors - no bugs! Easy and fun, no experience required.

Come to the Port Carling branch on Tuesday July 22nd from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for an important and timely conversation facilitated by local Public Health nurse Monica Bovett. In this session, learn about the 2024 Nutritious Food Basket survey highlights and discuss how food affordability affects our community, and how you can help to make a difference.

Learn the art of needle felting at the Port Carling branch on July 26th, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants will make their own wooly bird friends, to take home at the end of the workshop. Registration required by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca

Come to the Port Carling branch on Tuesday August 5th, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m and enjoy an insightful discussion with local author Katrina Lawrence. Her novel Beneath Enemy Skies is a historical romance novel set during World War II. Registration is required by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca. Drop-ins accommodated if space allows.

Get ready for another magical Muskoka evening under the open sky! With special thanks to the Friends of the Muskoka Lakes Public Library and the Muskoka Ratepayers Association, The Muskoka Lakes Public Library (MLPL) is thrilled to present our first-ever outdoor movie nights — and you’re invited!

Join us for "Stars Under the Stars" in the Port Carling Library parking lot. On August 6th we’ll be screening The Princess Bride (PG) once the sun sets — expect the film to start between 8:45 and 9:15 PM.

Admission is FREE! But if you don’t have a MLPL card, why not sign up? Popcorn, slushies, and hot dogs will be available by donation — a tasty way to support future fun! We’ll have a limited number of folding chairs available (first come, first serve), so feel free to bring your own as well as any blankets, bug spray, and water bottles. The washrooms and water filling station will be available for the duration of the film.

Registration is preferred but drop-ins are welcome if space allows. Call 705-765-5650 or email info@mlpl.ca to sign up.

It’s going to be a good time — we hope to see you there!

July 9th	A Minecraft Movie - Rated PG - 1hr 41m - 2025
August 6th	The Princess Bride - Rated PG - 1hr 38m - 1987

In the event of inclement weather, the Port Carling Community Centre will be used, in lieu of the Port Carling library parking lot!

Unwind, relax, and tap into your creativity at our Bala branch on Saturday August 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the Zentangle® Method—a fun and easy way to create beautiful images using simple, structured patterns. If you can draw a line or a curve, you can Zentangle! This beginner-friendly class includes all materials and guides you through creating two mini works of art in just two hours.

Nancy Houghton is a lifelong doodler turned Certified Zentangle Teacher, Nancy discovered the joy of Zentangle in 2016. She’s passionate about sharing this meditative and accessible art form with others of all ages. Come Zentangle with her—you’ll be amazed at what you can create!

Registration is required by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca

Come to our Bala branch, within the Bala Community Centre, on August 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for The Magic of Christophe, where you'll be wowed with incredible visual magic, comedy, and audience participation! Registration is required by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca

Launching on June 23rd at both locations, you'll be able to enjoy a rotating collection of stories while you visit two of the Township of Muskoka Lakes' parks. Muskoka Lakes Public Library installs a Story Trail at Jaspen Park in Bala, as well as Hanna Park in Port Carling.

Come to either branch to pick up a reading log, geared to your level of reading. Every time you visit the library, bring your reading log with you. Every read will earn you a bead, and every tenth entry will earn you a brag tag! How long will your necklace be, by the end of the summer? We can't wait to find out!
Beading for Reading begins on Friday June 27th, and ends on Saturday August 30th.