BOOKED

Children's Programs

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten - All Branches

Ongoing
Attention parents and caregivers: join this growing movement to read every child 1,000 books before kindergarten. Reading to your infant/toddler/child teaches vocabulary, introduces the connection between pictures and words and creates lasting bonds. Register at any Branch to begin your journey. We‘ll keep a log of the number of books read and offer incentives along the way.

Back to Hogwarts Party - Wellandport Branch

Thursday May 2 @ 6:00pm
Welcome back! Join us for potion making, quidditch and some transmutation magic as we explore the wonderful world of Hogwarts! Recommended for ages 6 to 10. Registration required.

Caistorville Crafternoon - Caistorville Branch

Alternating Saturdays @ 2:00pm; May 4 to June 29
Come and spend the afternoon creatively crafting with library staff. Recommended for children ages 6 to 10. Registration required.

Gamers League - Caistorville Branch

Alternating Wednesdays @ 6:00pm; May 8 to June 19
Game on! Join us every alternate week to face off in friendly competitions against family, friends and even library staff! We've got video games, board games, virtual reality, card games and more to explore. Recommended for ages 8 to 12. Drop-in.

Maker Mondays - Smithville Branch

Alternating Mondays @ 6:00pm; May 13 to June 24
Learn how to create new projects every Maker Monday using our amazing MakerSpace equipment and other STEAM techniques. Recommended for children ages 8 to 12. Registration required.

Afterschool Arts & Crafting - Smithville Branch

Tuesdays @ 3:45pm; May 14 to June 18
A 45 minute-long 6 week program for children to explore the world of art and crafting. Recommended for children ages 6 to 10. Registration required.

Rhythm and Rattles - Wellandport Branch

Wednesdays @ 11:00am; May 15 to June 19
A 6-week story time program that incorporates early literacy with songs, rhymes, instruments and more! Recommended for children ages 6 months to 23 months. Registration required.

Music & Movement - Smithville Branch

Thursdays @ 11:00am; May 16 to June 20
A 6-week story time program for toddlers that incorporates movement games alongside early literacy to help develop better physical awareness, improve gross and fine motor skills and learn how to navigate social movement relationships. Recommended for children ages 2 to 5. Registration required.

Baby Paint N' Play - Smithville Branch

Tuesdays @ 11:00am; May 21 to June 25
A 6-week art program for infants that incorporates movement, colour, and making lasting memories! Recommended for children ages 6 months to 23 months. Registration required.

STEAM Saturdays - Wellandport Branch

Alternating Saturdays @ 11:00am; May 25 to June 22
Welcome back to S.T.E.A.M! Come join us for a science, technology, engineering, art, and math program recommended for children ages 8 to 12. In May we‘ll take a look at Scratch coding. We‘ll follow that up in June by programming Ozobots, and later in the month we‘ll see how circuit's work as we tinker with Little Bits kits. Registration required.

Teen & All Ages Programs

Teens

Cosplay Club - Smithville Branch

Alternating Fridays @ 6:00pm; May 3 to June 28
Newcomers and pros alike are welcome to learn all about costuming with Sarah. Recommended for teens ages 13 to 18. Registration required.

Dungeons & Dragons - Smithville Branch

Alternating Fridays @ 3:30pm; May 10 to June 21
Calling all Paladins, Warlocks, Druids and Barbarians. Come to the Library Friday afternoons and begin your fantasy adventure! All materials provided. Registration required.

Teen Time Tuesdays - Caistorville Branch

Alternating Tuesdays @ 6:00pm; May 14 to June 25
Come to Caistorville on Tuesdays and play a plethora of new and old games, watch videos, listen to music or just hang out and make new friends in a teen-friendly space. Drop in.

Get Baking - Smithville Branch

Saturdays @ 2:00pm; May 18 & June 22
Get Baking! teaches teens basic baking skills while making a new, fun and tasty treat each month. May’s recipe is coconut cream pie. June will have teens baking pineapple upside down cake. Registration required.

All Ages

Good Food Box

Place your orders for fresh and affordable boxes of produce, either in person at Smithville Branch (cash only) or online at linksforgreenerlearning.org. The deadline for orders is May 15 and June 12, with deliveries being made to Smithville Branch on May 22 and June 19. Please wait to be called by Library staff before coming in to pick up your order to ensure that it’s ready.

Mom Appreciation Day - Wellandport Branch

Saturday May 11 @ 1:30pm
Celebrate Moms this Mother’s Day with refreshments, baked goods and a fun scrabble wall art project! Children must attend with an adult. Registration required.

Employment Workshops - Smithville Branch

Monday April 29, May 13 & June 3 @ 4:30pm
Don’t get passed over! Learn the best tips and tricks to make you stand out from the crowd. In April we’ll be exploring the future of work in the face of evolving AI technologies. May’s session will focus on creating standout cover letters and resumes so yours doesn’t get lost in the shuffle, and in June we’ll be workshopping interview skills. Hosted by the Employment Help Centre. Registration required.

Therapy Tails - Smithville Branch

Mondays @ 5:00pm; May 27 & June 17
Improve your child’s reading skills by having them read in a positive, encouraging space to a real, live furry friend. Or, just come in for a quiet cuddle with the Therapy Tails team, Marion and Wifi. Drop-in.

Father's Day BBQ - Smithville Branch

Saturday June 15 @ 12:00pm
Stop by with dear ol’ dad and have a bite from the BBQ, take a silly green screen photo or face off in a battle of cornhole! One hamburger or hot dog plus a water or pop per person will be available while quantities last. Children must attend with an adult. Drop-in.

Adult Programs

Tech-Time - Smithville Branch

Tuesdays; 10:30am to 12:30pm & 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Not sure how to use your new device? Stuck with a tech problem that makes no sense? Contact us for a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with a library staff member. Appointment only.

Seed Savers Club - Wellandport Branch

Thursdays @ 6:30pm; May 9 & June 13
Seed Savers Club is open to anyone interested in knowing more about seed saving and growing organic, heirloom food. Registration required.

Painting the Palette - Caistorville Branch

Friday May 10 & June 7 @ 1:00pm
A monthly social art program that explores different types of painting mediums. From oil to pastels and even spray painting, come try your hand at something new. In May we will be using gouache to paint a sunset over the sea. In June we will use spray paint to create a starry night sky. Registration required.

Cricut Craft Club - Smithville Branch

Thursdays @ 1:00pm; May 16 & June 13
The craft club is a 2-hour monthly program that teaches a new project each month to showcase the amazing crafting ability of the Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Design Space. May will feature painted wooden rounds, and in June we‘ll be engraving metal bottle openers. No experience is necessary. Registration required.

As Seen on Pinterest - Caistorville Branch

Tuesdays @ 6:00pm; May 21 & June 18
Ever wondered how you can make all those interesting crafts and home projects you see on your Pinterest boards? Come try your hand at fun, beginner-friendly crafts! See website for more details. Registration required.

Tarot & Tea - Wellandport Branch

Thursday May 23 @ 6:00pm
Sip some tea while having your fortune read by Breanne Martens from Willow Dawn Tarot. Each reading costs $15 per person. Registration required. Spaces are limited.

The Cookbook Clique - Smithville Branch

Saturday May 25 & June 29 @ 3:00pm
Have a passion for food? Join the clique! Using a different cookbook every month we’ll challenge ourselves to make something new. In May we’ll be making vegan ramen bowls from Chloe Flavor by Chloe Coscarelli. In June we’ll be cooking crispy chicken with lemon orzo from Ina Garten’s Modern Comfort Food. Registration required. Cost is $10 per person, per event.

Adult Book Club - Smithville Branch

Mondays @ 6:00pm; May 27 & June 24
In May we will discuss a favourite classic, Dracula by Bram Stoker. June’s book club meeting will discuss The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew as we celebrate National Indigenous History Month. Registration required.

Brain Health: 12 Modifiable Risk Factors - Smithville Branch
Communication: Creating a Dementia Friendly Environment

Tuesday May 28 & June 25 @ 1:30pm
Presented by the Alzheimer's Society of Niagara. Join us for parts two and three of the Alzhiemer’s information series covering important topics related to Alzheimer's and dementia. In May, learn how staying socially active, being physically active and having a sense of purpose — all of this and more can help improve brain health. In June, explore 5 communication tips for conversations with people living with dementia. Registration required.