Starting Monday, June 19, registration for Haldimand County Public Library’s summer programs opens at all six Haldimand Library branches. This year’s theme is “Check it Out!” and offers the chance for children to explore through themed parties, Storytimes, crafts and more.

The programs are open to children aged 3-12, with in-person registration required. Program dates, times and costs are available at local branches and will be available on the library’s website in early June.

In addition to registered programs, the Library is also offering free summer reading clubs for children and teens. Children aged 12 and under can participate in the Junior Reading Club while teens 13-18 can sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Club.

Participants in both clubs will receive a ballot for every print or digital library book they read throughout the summer, entering them into draws for a chance to win cash and other prizes. Draw dates for these prizes can be found at each branch.

Along with the cash prize draws, Junior Reading Club participants will also get to choose a special prize from the library treasure chest for every 15 library books they read.

The library will also be hosting a special children’s event, Club Rex! This hands-on presentation will teach children about dinosaurs, other prehistoric creatures and the world they lived in. A Club Rex! session will take place this summer at all Haldimand County Public Library branches. This is a free program, open to everyone. Times and locations can be found at your local library branch or on the library website. Registration is required and parents or guardians are asked to stay in the library.

For more information on summer programs and clubs, visit your local Haldimand County Public Library branch or check out the library website www.haldimandlibrary.ca.

Upcoming programs at Haldimand County Public Library

Check out the exciting programs Haldimand County Public Library has coming up  in June.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) / Old Age Security (OAS) Benefits and My Service Canada Account Workshop

Haldimand County Public Library has partnered with Service Canada to offer an informative, in-person workshop about the Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefits. Information includes topics such as eligibility requirements, how to calculate your payment, how to apply, when to apply, survivors’ benefits, child benefits, and more. This workshop will be held at the Dunnville Branch on Tuesday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m.

At the end of this workshop, a Service Canada representative will answer questions about the My Service Canada Account. Please note that anyone wishing to obtain a Personal Access Code (PAC) to access their My Service Canada Account (MSCA) that day will need to know their SIN and have photo ID.

Climate change presentation

Join representatives from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) at the Dunnville branch on Thursday, June 8 at 1 p.m. as they share information about climate change, its local impact, and what is being done to protect our local watershed.

Registration is not required, but is preferred. Register in person at the Dunnville Branch or by phone at 289-674-0400 ext. 3.

One Book One Haldimand 2023 selection now available

Join fellow Haldimand County readers by participating in this year’s One Book One Haldimand!

One Book One Haldimand is an annual, community-wide reading program which encourages individuals across Haldimand County to read a selected Canadian title and join the author and other community members for an evening of exciting discussion.

This year’s selection is Copperhead Road, written by local Haldimand author Brad Smith.

Copies of Copperhead Road are available at your local Haldimand County Library branch in print format and from the library’s CloudLibrary and Libby digital services in e-book and e-audio formats. Call 289-674-0400 to reserve a copy.

Author Brad Smith will be visiting the Dunnville Branch of the Haldimand County Public library on Thursday, November 16 at 6:30 p.m. for a short reading and Q&A facilitated by library staff. Everyone is welcome. Library membership is not necessary to join the discussion.

For further information on library programming, please contact Katrina Krupicz, Community Outreach/Inreach Coordinator, Haldimand County Public Library at 905-318-5932 ext. 6552,  or by email at kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

The Haldimand County Public Library would like to thank everyone who submitted a poem to its 10th Annual April Poetry Contest. This year’s contest was a tremendous success with submissions received from individuals across the County.

This year’s theme—Kindness—encouraged entrants to express through poetry how kindness, or goodwill, empathy, tolerance, helpfulness and philanthropy has impacted them, their community, or how they approach the world.

An awards ceremony and poetry reading will be held at the Caledonia Branch on Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

The Library would like to extend a special thank you to their local sponsors, whose generous donations helped make this contest possible: The Selkirk Lions, The Caledonia Lions, The Women’s Institute-Haldimand District, and The Friends of the Dunnville Library.

2023 Winners

Primary (Kindergarten – Grade 3)

1st – Freya J.
2nd – Gemma M.
3rd – Makhai L.

Junior (Grade 4 – Gr. 6)

1st – Rocco C.
2nd – Faryn L.
3rd – Griffin H.

Intermediate (Grade 7 – Grade 10)

1st – Madelyn M.

Senior (Grade 11 – Grade 12)

1st, 2nd & 3rd – Anna D.

Adult (18+)

1st – Odeyne W.
2nd – Ulrike B.
3rd – Deborah B.

Haldimand County Public Library has something for everyone with three exciting upcoming programs this May.

Spring card-stamping workshop

Hosted by Annette Ball from Stampin With the Bee’s, attendees of this program will make three beautiful spring cards to send to loved ones. The registration fee is $10 and can be done at any library branch or by calling (289) 674-0400. See the schedule of workshops below.

• Monday, May 1 at 6 p.m., Jarvis Branch
• Tuesday, May 2 at 6 p.m., Cayuga Branch
• Wednesday, May 3 at 6 p.m., Hagersville Branch

Hagersville Branch Knitting Club

The Hagersville Branch of the Haldimand County Public Library invites anyone interested in knitting or crocheting to participate in a fun, relaxing weekly social club. The Knitting Club will run every Thursday, beginning May 4, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Attendees are asked to bring their current project and/or supplies and share in the hobby of knitting, crocheting or other yarn crafts with fellow yarn enthusiasts. The club is open to everyone, regardless of skill level. No registration is required.

Resume finessing workshop

In partnership with Nichole Morgan, a professional career coach with over five years of experience in Human Resources and Recruitment, the Library is offering a free resume-finessing workshop to help individuals perfect their resumes.

The course will teach adults how to craft an interview-securing resume and present a favourable first impression.⁠ Participants will learn how to:

• Align relevant skills and experience with the employer’s needs⁠
• Communicate one’s career story and update one’s qualifications
• Identify top accomplishments⁠
• Tailor a resume to the position sought
• Properly format a resume
• Address employment gaps (if any)⁠

The workshop will be offered to all adults at the Caledonia Branch on May 10 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required and can be done in the branch or by phone at (289) 678-0400, ext. 1. All participants are asked to bring a copy of their current resume.

Haldimand County Public Library invites residents of all ages to get creative and participate in its 10th annual poetry contest, to be held throughout the month of April.

This year’s theme is Kindness. The Library encourages entrants to express through poetry how kindness, or good will, empathy, tolerance, helpfulness and philanthropy has impacted them, their community, or how they approach the world.

Entry forms and a full list of rules and submission details can be found on the library’s website or at any library branch. Submissions can be made in person at any branch or can be submitted online.

Submissions will be accepted during the month of April and entered to win cash prizes in one of the following categories:

• Primary – Kindergarten to Gr. 3
• Junior – Gr. 4 to Gr. 6
• Intermediate – Gr. 7 to Gr. 10
• Senior – Gr. 11 – 12
• Adult – age 18+

Judging will take place at the beginning of May by a library-chosen panel. First, second and third-place prizes will be awarded in each category. First prize will receive $50, second prize will receive $35 and third prize will receive $20. Winners will be announced in mid-May with an awards ceremony to follow.

Individuals with further questions about the 10th Annual April Poetry Contest may call or visit their local library branch. Branch hours and contact numbers can be found on Haldimand County Public Library website.

The Haldimand County Public Library is hosting activities at all branches over March Break. Participants can take part in craft sessions, Storytimes, LEGO clubs and parties. Registration is required and can be done at any branch.  For more information, please call 289-674-0400 or visit your local branch.

Cayuga Branch

• Piggy Tissue Box Craft – Thursday, Mar. 16, 1-2 p.m., $2 (Ages 5+)
• Spring Bird Storytime – Friday, Mar. 17, 11-11:45 a.m., $1 (Ages 3+)

Hagersville Branch

• Let’s Welcome Spring Storytime – Wednesday, Mar. 15, 10:30-11:15 a.m., $1 (Ages 3+)
• Piggy Bank Craft – Thursday, Mar. 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m., $2 (Ages 5+)

Selkirk Branch

• For the Birds Party – Monday, Mar, 13, 2-4 p.m., $4 (Ages 3+)
• Let’s Welcome Spring Storytime – Tuesday, Mar. 14, 11-11:45 a.m., $1 (Ages 3+)
• LEGO Club – Saturday, Mar. 18, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., FREE (Ages 3+)

Dunnville Branch

• Piggy Bank Craft – Monday, Mar. 13, 10:45-11:15 a.m., $2 (Ages 3+)
• Juggling Ball Make and Learn – Monday, Mar. 13, 12:30-1:15 p.m., $2 (Ages 7+)
• For the Birds Party – Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2-4 p.m., $4 (Ages 3+)
• Let’s Welcome Spring Storytime – Friday, Mar. 17, 11-11:45 a.m., $1 (Ages 3+)
• LEGO Boat Races – Friday, Mar. 17, 2:30-4 p.m., FREE (Ages 6+)

Jarvis Branch

• Let’s Welcome Spring Storytime – Monday, Mar. 13, 1-1:45 p.m., $1 (Ages 3+)
• Piggy Bank Craft – Thursday, Mar. 16, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., $2 (Ages 5+)
• For the Birds Party – Thursday, March 16th, 2-4 p.m., $4 (Ages 5+)

Caledonia Branch

• LEGO Club – Monday, Mar. 13, 2-3 p.m., FREE (Ages 3+)
• Let’s Welcome to Spring Storytime – Wednesday, Mar. 15, 10:30-11:45 a.m., $1 (Ages 3+)
• For the Birds Party – Friday, Mar. 17, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $4 (Ages 3+)

The Haldimand County Public Library has some exciting programs coming up for the community.

For further information on library programming, please contact Katrina Krupicz, Community Outreach/Inreach Coordinator, Haldimand County Public Library at 905-318-5932 ext. 6552,  or by email at kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Author visit with Lisa Sherk

Local author Lisa Sherk will be at the Dunnville branch of the Haldimand County Public Library on Thursday, Mar. 2 at 6 p.m. to share her first book of poetry entitled The Looking Glass: Glimpses of Life Through Poetry. Featuring rhyming and free verse poetry, The Looking Glass explores the themes of grief, loss, spirituality, and connectivity. No registration is required.

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

In partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency, the Library is offering free income tax filing services by trained volunteers as part of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. This tax program will be offered by drop-off only, at the Caledonia, Jarvis, Cayuga, Hagersville, and Selkirk branches. The free tax clinics will run from March 1 to April 14, 2023.

To be eligible for this free tax filing service, participants must be:

• Single, with an annual income of $30,000 or less;
• Married couple, with a combined annual income of $40,000 or less;
• Single adult with dependents, with an annual income of $35,000 or less (plus an additional $2,500 per dependent);
• Individual with less than $1,000 investment income.

Once participants drop off materials and complete the necessary forms, all materials will be delivered to a volunteer by library staff. Upon completion of the tax files, participants will be called back to the library to pick up their completed forms. If any questions should arise during the process, a volunteer will contact participants by phone.

Red Cross babysitting course

Registration is now open for the Red Cross Babysitting course offered by the Haldimand County Public Library. Open to youth aged 11 to 17, the course will be offered at all local branches and will run over two or five days depending on the format.

The cost of the course is $40 per person and registration must be completed in person at the library branch. The maximum number of participants in each course is 12 to best ensure student safety and success. Participants will be required to attend all sessions at the branch and demonstrate a responsible and mature attitude in order to receive their certificate of completion.

The dates, times and locations of the upcoming, in-person babysitting courses are:

• Dunnville Branch – May 8-12, 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. (five-day course)
• Caledonia Branch – June 19-May 23, 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. (five-day course)
• Selkirk Branch – July 10-11, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (two-day course)
• Jarvis Branch – July 20-21, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (two-day course)
• Hagersville Branch – August 10-11, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (two-day course)
• Cayuga Branch – August 14-15, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (two-day course)

The Red Cross Babysitting course is a nationally recognized program and is designed to help participants develop self-assurance, knowledge and skills required not only for babysitting duties but also when at home. Topics covered in the course include caring for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children as well as creating safe environments and how to handle emergencies.

Visit www.haldimandlibrary.com or connect on Facebook for information on branches, programs, and collections.

Haldimand County Public Library has partnered with Service Canada to offer informative in-person workshops about government benefits and services for local youth, Indigenous Peoples and seniors.

These programs will be offered in person at the identified branches with a Service Canada representative. Participants will be able to ask questions and join in discussions facilitated by library staff during and after the presentation. Pre-registration for these programs is recommended but not required.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) /Old Age Security (OAS) benefits and My Service Canada Account Workshop

This workshop provides information about the Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefit such as eligibility requirements, how to calculate your payment, how to apply, when to apply, survivors benefits, child benefits and more.

At the end of this workshop, a Service Canada representative will answer questions about the My Service Canada Account. Anyone wishing to obtain a Personal Access Code (PAC) to access their My Service Canada Account (MSCA) that day will need to know their SIN and have photo ID.

Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security Workshops are open to all residents and are scheduled as follows:

• February 9 at 10 a.m. – Cayuga Library and Heritage Center, 19 Talbot  St.
• March 6 at 1:30 p.m. – Selkirk Branch, 34 Main St W.
• March 15 at 1:30 p.m. – Hagersville Branch, 13 Alma St N.
• March 21 at 10 a.m. – Caledonia Branch, 100 Haddington St.
• June 6 at 10:30 a.m. – Dunnville Branch, 317 Chestnut St.

Services for Youth Workshop and Social Insurance Clinic (SIN)

This workshop will cover a variety of government benefits,  programs and incentives aimed to help youth find employment and fund post-secondary education.  Some of the topics covered will be the Canadian Government Job Bank, education grants and loans, apprenticeship incentives, grants and loans.

At the end of the workshop, a Service Canada employee will assist youth and any other members of the public in registering for a Social Insurance Number (Social Insurance Numbers are needed to gain employment, open a bank account and apply to post-secondary education).

Services for Youth Workshops and Social Insurance Clinics are open to all residents and are scheduled as follows:

• March 13 at 11 a.m. – Caledonia Branch, 100 Haddington St.
• March 16 at 1:30 p.m. – Dunnville Branch, 317 Chestnut St.
• April 24 at 2:30 p.m. – Jarvis Branch, 2 Monson St.

Anyone wishing to register for a Social Insurance Number must bring the following things:

1. A valid primary identification document such as a birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card, work or study permit, or permanent resident card.
2. A valid secondary identity document such as a passport, driver’s licence or health card.
3. A document showing proof of address such as a bill from a service provider, employment or school document, or a letter from an organization attesting to the applicant’s address signed by a representative of that organization and the applicant.

Services for Indigenous Peoples Workshop

This workshop will provide information on the Indigenous Seniors Assisted Living Program, The Hope for Wellness Hotline as well as the Canadian Pension Program and Old Age Security. Other topics that will be covered include the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program and financial assistance for Indigenous students.

The Services for Indigenous Peoples Workshop will be held at the Hagersville Branch (13 Alma St. N.) on Thursday, Mar. 16 at 5 p.m. The workshop is open to all residents.

For more information about these or other government benefits and services, or clarification on any document requirements, visit www.canada.ca or call 1-800-O-Canada.

The Haldimand County Public Library is hitting the ground running in 2023 with three engaging events coming up this month for the community to enjoy.

Author visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills

The Library will be hosting an in-person author visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills at the Dunnville Branch on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. where she’ll be discussing her latest novel, Sins of the Daughter. The visit will be approximately an hour in length with a short reading, book discussion and Q&A session. No registration is required.

Already an award-winning children’s author, Sins of the Daughter will be the first adult novel for the former Dunnville resident. The novel explores the fragile bond between mothers and daughters, and how the choices of one generation impact the next. Copies of the book are available to borrow from local library branches.

Book Club information night

The Haldimand County Public Library is launching a new book club at the Cayuga Branch. All those interested in joining or learning more about the program are invited to an information night at the Cayuga Branch on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

The session will determine if there is enough interest to start a new club, discuss how each meeting will run, and chose the titles that will be read during the year.

Crafternoons

Crafternoons are adult-only craft sessions held at various branches of the Haldimand County Public Library with a different craft each month. Participants in the January Crafternoon sessions will be creating wooden spoon snowmen to bring some seasonal charm to their kitchen décor. All sessions take place at 1 p.m. and require a $2 fee.

• Jarvis Branch – Monday, Jan. 23
• Hagersville Branch – Wednesday, Jan 25
• Dunnville Branch – Thursday, Jan 26
• Cayuga Branch – Friday, Jan 27