Summer Special Events

Get your bidding fingers ready! The Friends of the MLPL Silent Auction launches on July 9th and runs until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday August 6th. Browse a growing collection of items (with more being added weekly), generously donated by local businesses and community members — all in support of the library! https://www.32auctions.com/mlplfriends15

Come to the Port Carling Community Centre for two special movies nights.  Arrive around 7:00 p.m. and expect the film to begin by 7:15 p.m.  Bring along any snacks you might like, as well as any blankets or cozy items.  The movies will be projected onto the big screen for you to enjoy, along with your family and friends.  Registration is preferred, drop-ins accommodated if space allows.  

Please register for these events by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca.

Children aged 9 and under must have a parent or guardian (this can be an older sibling) remain in the community centre for the duration of the program.

Come to the Bala branch on Monday August 10th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to play a round of laser tag within the Community Centre space.  Sign up individually, or with a group of up to 8 people, and battle it out at your designated timeslot.  Open to all aged 8+!

Please register for this event by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca.

Children aged 9 and under must have a parent or guardian (this can be an older sibling) remain in the library for the duration of the program.

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 Friday, June 26th with a deadline to return the finished masterpiece by Tuesday, July 14th.

Mark your calendars for a special author's event on Monday August 17th! We are thrilled to be hosting Kerry Clare at the Port Carling Community Centre from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., to kick off our week of celebrating 25 years in our beautiful Port Carling library building. Kerry will be in conversation with Cindy Watson from the Muskoka Authors Association, talking about her latest novel, Definitely Thriving, which will be available for purchase thanks to the marvelous Cedar Canoe Books!

Kerry Clare is the author of Definitely Thriving, out now from House of Anansi Press. Her previous novels are Asking for a Friend, Waiting for a Star to Fall, and Mitzi Bytes. A National Magazine Award-nominated essayist and editor of The M Word: Conversations About Motherhood, Kerry also edits the Canadian books website 49thShelf.com, is host of the Bookspo podcast, and writes about books and reading at her longtime blog, Pickle Me This. She lives in Toronto with her family.

There is no cost to attend this event, but please register by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca.

Join Quizmaster Dan Grant at our Port Carling branch from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. as he leads you through an entertaining evening of testing your general knowledge. This will be competitive fun for the whole family, with questions geared to both the young and old so that everyone can participate. Sign up your team for this after hours event as space is limited. The winning team takes home a prize! 

Please register for this event by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca.

Show off your library pride by creating your own custom MLPL merchandise! Choose from an array of unique library-themed designs and transfer your favourite(s) onto a t-shirt or canvas tote bag.

This is a pay-what-you-can/by-donation activity, with recommended donations of:

• $10 for a t-shirt
• $5 for a canvas tote bag

All supplies are provided, but quantities and sizes are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.  

Drop in to the Port Carling branch from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., get creative, and take home a one-of-a-kind piece of library merch!

What stories are hidden in your favourite recipes? Join acclaimed chef and bestselling author Christine Flynn from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a day exploring the cookbook as memoir. Through stories, discussion, culinary demonstrations, and food-focused conversation, Christine will examine how food can preserve memories, connect generations, and tell the story of a life.

Come ready to write, refine and share your own food stories through thoughtful prompts, real-world advice for getting words on the page, and advice from one of Canada's most beloved cookbook authors. Get a behind-the-scenes look at recipe development and food storytelling. Whether you're interested in preserving family recipes, documenting your own traditions, or creating a cookbook of your own, you'll leave inspired to capture the memories, meals, and moments that matter most. No previous writing experience is necessary. Christine will prepare a family-style lunch inspired by recipes from her books, and soft drinks will be supplied. 

All recipes and workshop materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring a notebook or device for personal note-taking if desired.

Space is limited. $150/pp - lunch included. Please speak to staff or e-mail info@mlpl.ca to register.

Mark your calendars for a very special Family Fun Day happening on Saturday August 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  There will be large vehicles on display for you to climb aboard, so come early and plan to stay all day! Join our friends from Amanda's Exotic Animals (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), Fluffy Feet Face Painting (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) EarlyON, the Muskoka Lakes Museum, the Muskoka Lakes Fire Department, and lots more in marking 25 years of the Norma & Miller Alloway Muskoka Lakes Public Library here in Port Carling! 

Come to the Port Carling branch on Thursday September 3rd from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. for an interactive workshop with Dr. Ainslie Harris, founder of AI literacy company Zivo. You'll get a practical, jargon-free introduction to artificial intelligence: what it is, how it works, and how to use it safely, including answers to important questions like: 

• Is AI actually intelligent?
• How does it know what it knows?
• How can we stay safe and protect our private information?
• What are the risks and downsides of using AI?

You'll also learn how to write effective prompts to get better results from AI chat tools. You don’t need any technical knowledge to attend! Everything's covered using everyday, relatable examples.

Please register for this event by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca.

Join us at the Port Carling branch on Tuesday July 21st from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for another visit from the MiND-AID and B’saanibamaadsiwin's Mobile Youth Wellness Hub. The Hub brings the supports and services to you. We travel all over Muskoka with free programs, from hangouts and rec activities to workshops, cultural events, and more.

The Hub connects you to way more than just programs. We can help you access mental health and addictions care, primary health care, cultural and social supports, food programs, housing help, job and school resources, and financial supports.

​This is an OPEN Walk-In Wellness Clinic for any young person 29 and under to swing by and say hello to our on site Mental health support team from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.. It's First Come First Serve to access 1 of 3 free sessions.

Our MiND-AID Nurse Practitioner Suzanne Corby will be on the hub from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and if you don't have access to Primary care, Come see Suzanne for...

• General health concerns • Medication support

• Mental health concerns • Referrals & follow-ups

You can also come hang out with our MiND-AID Team and learn about what the Hub has to offer, or to gain access to services.

We have snacks, games, Netflix, crafts & activities and the Hub acts as One Right Door to mental health services, a nurse practitioner, food security, financial and victim support, employment and financial assistance and much more.

Come by and say hello, we are always happy to see you!

Come to our Port Carling branch on Saturday July 18th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to make two dimensional portraits of flowers or trees. This is a beginner's class geared towards participants aged 10+. All materials and supplies are provided.

Space is limited so please register for this event by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca.

Let your curiosity take flight! Help the Muskoka Lakes Public Library welcome the Canadian Raptor Conservancy to our Bala branch on Saturday July 11th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for an amazing demonstration! There will be several birds of prey showing us how cool they are, with knowledgeable handlers ready to answer questions and facilitate a meet and greet. No need to register but prompt arrival ensures full enjoyment of the show!

Children aged 9 and under must have a parent or guardian (this can be an older sibling) remain at the library for the duration of the program.

Our annual Summer Book Sale is back for its third year at our Port Carling branch.  The sale will be on every day during regular business hours from June 26th - July 4th. The sale will be set up in the lower level of the branch.  Bring your own bag and fill it for only $5!

Join us at the Port Carling branch on Friday June 26th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a "turtle-y" awesome time! We will be hosting Scales Nature Park and some of their fascinating cold-blooded friends! Our guests will introduce you to a variety of Canadian reptiles and amphibians, with opportunities for staff-led, hands-on interactions. No registration required.

Children aged 9 and under must have a parent or guardian (this can be an older sibling) remain at the library for the duration of the program.

UPDATE: THE COURSE IS NOW FULL!

Come to the Port Carling branch on Monday June 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Empower your child with essential life skills with the Stay Safe! course for youth ages 9 to 13. This course provides children with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe when they are away from their parents or guardians, both at home and in their communities.

To enroll, your child must be at least 9 years old or have completed Grade 3. Please register for this event by filling out this Google Form, which goes directly to the course facilitator.

For more information about the Stay Safe! Canadian Red Cross course click here.

Come to the Bala branch on Monday June 29th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to play a round of laser tag within the Community Centre space.  Sign up individually, or with a group of up to 4 people, and battle it out at your designated timeslot.  Open to ages 8+.

Please register for this event by calling 705-765-5650 or emailing info@mlpl.ca.

Children aged 9 and under must have a parent or guardian (this can be an older sibling) remain in the library for the duration of the program.