Celebrating Pride Month

Celebrating Pride Month

by | Jun 9, 2023 | Uncategorized

The Huron County Library is celebrating Pride Month by sharing valuable resources, participating in community events, and hosting activities in our branches.

Here is a round-up of what’s happening throughout June:

Huron County Pride Outreach: The Huron County Library is popping up at Huron County’s first Pride Festival! Find us on the Square in downtown Goderich on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and take in the amazing activities happening throughout the day!

LGBTQ2S+ Resources for young people and their families: Library staff have put together a valuable resource guide to support young people and their families. The guide features links to online resources, books from our collection, local supports, and more.

Book Raffle: The Library is raffling off 10 LGBTQ2S+ books for a variety of ages (picture books, junior fiction, young adult, adult fiction, and adult non-fiction). Find ballots throughout the month of June at all 12 branches or visit us at the Huron Pride Festival.

Pride Panel Discussion: Join us on Tuesday, June 27 from 7-8 p.m., for a virtual discussion on the growing censorship of LGBTQ2S+ books. Registration required. 

LGBTQ2S+ Youth Gab Sessions: This is an opportunity for youth ages 16-25 to meet in a safe space for youth to discuss their LGBTQ2S+ experiences. This event runs the last Thursday of each month from 5-6 p.m. at the Goderich Branch. Registration required.

Rainbow Wands @ Goderich Branch: Make a rainbow wand on Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to help celebrate Huron Pride’s first Pride Festival! Registration required

Evening Experts @ Goderich Branch: In celebration of Pride Month, we welcome speakers from Huron County Pride on Wednesday, June 21 starting at 6:30 p.m.to speak about this grassroots LGBTQ2+ organization and more!

Origami Hearts @ Exeter Branch: Drop into the Exeter Branch through the month of June to help the library decorate the windows with origami hearts. Available during regular branch hours.

Blind Date with an LGBTQ2S+ Book @ Exeter Branch: The Exeter Branch is hosting Blind Date with an LGBTQ2S+ book throughout the month of June. 

    Passport to Discovery – Graphic Novels & Comic Books

    Passport to Discovery – Graphic Novels & Comic Books

    by | Apr 29, 2023 | Children & Families, Crafts, Programming

    Calling all young explorers! Your next adventure starts today! This month’s Passport to Discovery theme is graphic novels and comic books. Put yourself in the story with this month’s activities.

    Let’s get started:

    • Pick up a Take & Make Kit from your library branch to make your own comic book. Make it about your favourite super hero or comic book character, or create your own character! It’s time for imagination to go wild!
    • Create your own superhero or comic character mask! Using the template provided in the Take & Make Kit, decorate your mask, cut it out, tie it on, and let the adventures begin!
    • Bring a character from your comic book to life! Act out your comic book story and invite a friend or two to join you!
    • Read one of these books from our collection.
    • Download this month’s activity sheet if you prefer to get started from home.

    Explorers are welcome to join the program at any time. Here’s how it works:

    • Pick up a passport from your local branch to begin a full year of learning, reading, doing, and having a whole lot of fun!
    • Visit your local branch each month to pick up a themed craft kit and activity sheet.
    • Complete at least one of the activities
    • Return to the branch to get your passport stamped and ballot entered into a grand prize draw that will take place at the end of the program in February 2024.
    Free Tax Clinics

    Free Tax Clinics

    by | Apr 5, 2023 | News

    Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), community organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers file tax returns for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. CVITP volunteers use 10 of our 12 branches as drop-off points for tax returns. To see if you are eligible for this service, check under “eligibility criteria” on this page: About free tax clinics – Canada.ca.

    Our local CVITP program is to be commended for their impressive results. In 2022, they completed 1,102 income tax returns, 787 of which were in Huron County. This meant $2.7 million was returned into our local economy. Nearly $900K of which went to parents through the Canada Child Benefit Program.

    All clinics run at the following branches Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. by appointment only. Call or email your local clinic volunteer to schedule an appointment:

    Passport to Discovery – Graphic Novels & Comic Books

    Passport to Discovery – Earth Day

    by | Apr 3, 2023 | Children & Families, Crafts, Programming

    Calling all young explorers! Your next adventure starts today! This month’s Passport to Discovery theme is Earth Day. We celebrate this day with activities that will inspire us all to make a difference for the future of our communities and our planet!

    Let’s get started:

    • Pick up a Take & Make Kit from your library branch to make a plantable pollinator seed bomb using recycled paper!
    • Take the 3Rs Earth Day Pledge! Fill in the blanks: “I pledge to reduce… I pledge to reuse… I pledge to recycle…
    • Play Earth Day Tic Tac Toe! Pick up a game sheet filled with activities you can do to take is a step towards a healthier planet.
    • Read one of these books from our collection.
    • Download this month’s activity sheet if you prefer to get started from home.

    Explorers are welcome to join the program at any time. Here’s how it works:

    • Pick up a passport from your local branch to begin a full year of learning, reading, doing, and having a whole lot of fun!
    • Visit your local branch each month to pick up a themed craft kit and activity sheet.
    • Complete at least one of the activities
    • Return to the branch to get your passport stamped and ballot entered into a grand prize draw that will take place at the end of the program in February 2024.
    March Break at the Huron County Library

    March Break at the Huron County Library

    by | Mar 7, 2023 | Children & Families, Programming

    You don’t have to travel far to have fun this March Break! Visit your local Huron County Library branch where you’re sure to find some fun activities for the whole family!

    Here is a round-up of what’s on next week:

    The Great March Break Lego Giveaway: Drop into your local branch anytime during the March Break to guess how many Lego pieces are in the jar. Write your guess on a ballot for a chance to win the entire set up Lego. There is a set to win at each of our 12 branches.

    March Break Match-up: We are pitting some of our favourite children’s book series against each other! You alone can help your favourite books make it to the finals! Get started by downloading this sheet or pick one up from any library branch Write the number of the series you like best from each pair and repeat the process until you have picked the book series that you think should win. Return this sheet to your local branch by March 18 and watch our Facebook page for the results!

    North Team

    Alice Munro Branch, Wingham:

    • Drop in during regular branch hours to have fun with the button maker, make a wind spiral craft, and play games.
    • Enjoy an amazing magic show and balloon artistry with Eric on Wednesday, March 15. Registration required.

    Blyth Branch:

    • Drop in during regular branch hours to have fun with the button maker, make a wind spiral craft, and play games.

    Howick Branch:

    • Drop in during regular branch hours to have fun with the button maker, make a wind spiral craft, and play games.

    East Team

    Brussels Branch:

    • PROGRAM FULL: The BarryO Kidshow brings ventriloquism, juggling and a little bit of magic to the Brussels Branch on Wednesday, March 15. 

    Seaforth Branch:

    • PROGRAM FULL: The BarryO Kidshow brings ventriloquism, juggling and a little bit of magic to the Seaforth Branch on Wednesday, March 15. 

    Central Team

    Clinton Branch:

    • Monday, March 13, 2-4 p.m.: Drop in for STEAM play – try out Ozobots, Sphero, Kano and Cubelets
    • Tuesday, March 14, 1-3 p.m.: Drop-in craft – plant some seeds for your spring garden
    • Wednesday, March 15, 2-4 p.m.: Enjoy a fun afternoon playing board games
    • Thursday, March 16, 1-3 p.m.: Let’s get creative with Lego play
    • Friday, March 17, 1-3 p.m.: Switch fun – play a game on the big screen. Spots are limited for this program, so be sure to register ahead by calling 519-482-3673 or emailing clintonlibrary@huroncounty.ca

    Zurich Branch:

    • Monday, March 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Bingo Fun – Play a game with friends and family. Spots are limited for this program, so be sure to register ahead by calling 519-236-4965 or emailing zurichlibrary@huroncounty.ca
    • Tuesday, March 14, 1-3 p.m.: Let’s get creative with Lego play
    • Wednesday, March 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Steam Play – Try Ozobots, Sphero, Kano and Cubelets
    • Thursday, March 16, 2-4 p.m.: Enjoy a fun afternoon playing board games
    • Friday, March 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Drop-in craft: Plant seeds for your spring garden

    South Team

    Exeter Branch:

    • Monday, March 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Try Ozobots, Sphero, Kano, Cubelets and more!
    • Tuesday, March 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Lego my Library – drop in all day
    • Wednesday, March 15, 10-11 a.m.: Storytime with Cheryl and Megan
    • Thursday, March 16, 1-3 p.m.: Button Maker Madness
    • Friday, March 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Drop-in craft: St. Patrick’s Day
    • Saturday, March 18, 1:30-3 p.m.: Maple Mania – Taffy on ice with Iceculture and Sumit
    • Saturday, March 18, 3-4 p.m.: Maple Mania – Birds of Prey – registration required

    Hensall Branch:

    • Tuesday, March 14, 2-6 p.m.: Playdoh Palooza
    • Wednesday, March 15, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.: Playdoh Palooza
    • Thursday, March 16, 2-6 p.m.: Playdoh Palooza
    • Friday, March 17, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.: St. Patrick’s Day craft
    • Saturday, March 18, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Maple Mania – Taffy on ice with Iceculture and Sumit

    Kirkton Branch:

    • Monday, March 13, 3-7 p.m.: Button Maker Monday
    • Tuesday, March 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Playdoh Palooza
    • Thursday, March 16, 3-7 p.m.: St. Patrick’s Day craft
    • Saturday, March 18, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.: Lego my Library

    West Team

    Bayfield Branch:

    Goderich Branch:

    Registration is required for all events listed below. Please call 519-524-9261 or email goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca. Taste of Huron Maple Mania events on March 18 have separate online registration linked below. 

    • Monday, March 13, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Tallest Structure – Who can build the highest tower? This program will challenge kids to build a structure using only toothpicks & marshmallows.
    • Tuesday, March 14, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Egg Drop – Can you make a carrier for an egg that will survive a drop from different heights?
    • Wednesday, March 15, 2-3 p.m.: Book Bingo – An afternoon of fun for the whole family! Adult accompaniment is required. All Ages.
    • Thursday, March 16, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Wax Paper Lantern – Get creative making beautiful wax-paper lanterns.
    • Friday, March 17, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Sink or Swim – Kids will use craft materials to create a boat and put it to the test to see how it holds up in a tub of water.
    • Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Maple Cookie decorating – registration through Taste of Huron required.
    • Saturday, March 18, 2-3 p.m.: For the Love of Reptiles  – registration through Taste of Huron required.