Children’s Programs at Haldimand County Public Library support early literacy, childhood development and fun!
Registration is required. Contact your local branch for detailed program information and to register.
Children’s Programs
April Poetry Contest
Compete in Haldimand County Public Library’s April Poetry Contest! This year’s theme is MY TOWN, MY HOME. Original poems are accepted from Haldimand County residents of all ages from April 1 to April 30 at all Library branches. Cash prizes of up to $50! Entry forms & full contest rules will be available soon.
Ongoing Children's Programs
Baby StoryTime
Ages: Newborns to 24 months with a parent or caregiver
Per-session Fee: $6
Individual Baby Storytime Fee: $1
Join our new program featuring stories, songs and a whole lot of fun! Register now!
Dunnville Branch: Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Caledonia Branch: Fridays, 11a.m. to 11:45a.m.
Pre-registration is required – space is limited. Contact the Dunnville or Caledonia Branches for session details.
Tales for Twos
Ages: Exclusively for two-year-olds with a parent or caregiver
Per-session Fee: $6
Individual Tales for Twos Fee: $1
Tales for Twos is a six-week program designed exclusively for two-year-olds accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Sessions consist of short stories, songs, rhymes, finger plays and a whole lot of fun! Programs are available at our Caledonia, Dunnville, Hagersville, Jarvis and Selkirk branches.
Caledonia Branch: Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Dunnville Branch: Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Hagersville Branch: Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Jarvis Branch: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Selkirk Branch: Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Pre-registration is required – space is limited. Call your local branch for more information at (289) 674-0400.
StoryTime
Ages: 3-5 years
Per-session Fee: $10
Individual Storytime Fee: $1
StoryTime at the Haldimand County Public Library is a fun mix of reading, crafts, songs and meeting new friends. Participating in early literacy activities is one of the best ways to prepare your child for school. We offer Fall, Winter and Spring StoryTime sessions at all six library branches.
Caledonia Branch: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. & Thursdays 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Cayuga Branch: Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Dunnville Branch: Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Hagersville Branch: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Jarvis Branch: Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Selkirk Branch: Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Pre-registration is required – space is limited. Call your local branch for more information at (289) 674-0400.
NEW! The Kids’ Book Club
Dunnville Branch: Selected Saturdays from 11a.m. to 12p.m.
Ages: 7 & up
Join fellow young readers for exciting talk and activities about your favourite books. Grab a copy of the upcoming book to read before the meeting – ask at the circulation desk – and come ready to chat!
Upcoming Kids’ Book Club titles/themes:
Sat, Oct 27 – Ghost Stories : Your choice of any ghost story.
Sat, Nov. 24 – Magic Tree House Series : Pick your favourite adventure.
Sat, Dec. 22 – The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (At 351 pages make sure you order this book in advance. We have 7 copies but we can order more.
Sat, Jan 26 – Pippi Longstocking or any Pippi Longstocking book.
Sat, Feb. 16 – Any Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys Book.
Sat, Mar. 16 – James and the Giant Peach.
Register for all meetings or just the ones about books you would like to read. For more information, contact Miss Donna at the Dunnville Library at 289-674-0400.
LEGO Clubs
Ages: Vary by location, details below
Fee: Free
Bring your imagination and create something special! LEGO pieces are provided by the Library thanks to sponsorship by Friends of the Dunnville Library and Friends of the Jarvis Library. Free to participate, just drop by!
Caledonia Branch: Ages 3 and up. Wednesdays as scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Upcoming sessions: Fall 2018 TBA
Cayuga Branch: Ages 3 and up. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Dunnville Branch: Ages 6 and up. Fridays after school from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (September through June). LEGO Club is held every Friday except snow days and PD Days (no school – no LEGO Club!)
Jarvis Branch: Ages 3 and up. Tuesdays 3:30p.m. to 4:30p.m.
Selkirk Branch: Ages 3 and up. Thursdays 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Paws to Read
Fee: Free
The Haldimand County Public Library – Caledonia Branch in partnership with Therapeutic Paws of Canada, is offering an exciting literacy program designed to help children who would benefit from extra practice with their reading. This free session will be offered weekly for a total of six weeks and one of three certified teams will be at the Library to read with children on each date.
Children read to the dog and are encouraged to pick books they think the dog would like to hear! Paws to Read dogs provide undivided attention to the children as the children read aloud. Studies have shown that reading to dogs encourages confidence and boosts self-esteem in children who struggle to read aloud in class, thereby boosting literacy skills.
- Registration begins now and is limited. Program starts January 29, 2019.
- Program runs for six weeks on Tuesday evenings, 6:30-7:30pm.
- There are several time slots to choose from: 6:30-6:45, 6:45-7:00, 7:00-7:15, 7:15-7:30.
Reading dates for this session:
- January 29
- February 5, 12, 19, 26
- March 5
Please call the Caledonia Library at 289-674-0400 to register, or come to the library to register in-person
Red Cross Babysitting Course
Ages: Youth 11 – 15
Course Fee: $40
Youth aged 11 to 15 years are invited to take the Library’s Red Cross Babysitting Course! Gain the confidence to make smart decisions in any babysitting situation. Learn how to supervise babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children and handle common injuries and emergencies. Impress your parents, build your resume and earn extra money by being a responsible, reliable babysitter!
Our courses are taught by a Red Cross certified Babysitting Course facilitator who is Ontario College of Teachers certified.
Participants must attend both days of the course, participate and demonstrate skills while displaying a responsible and mature attitude to receive their certificate of completion.
Spring 2019 Dates & Locations:
Cayuga Arena – McSorley Family Hall, 55 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga
Wednesday, March 13, 2019.
Thursday, March 14, 2019.
Friday, March 15, 2019.
2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Jarvis Public Library,2 Monson Street, Jarvis
Friday, April 12, 2019.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 2019.
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Caledonia Public Library,100 Haddington Street, Caledonia
Course 1:
Fri., June 14, 2019.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sat., June 15, 2019.
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Course 2:
Fri., June 21, 2019.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sat., June 22, 2019.
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pre-registration is required at the Library branch hosting the course. For more information please contact:
Lindsay Thomas
Community Outreach Coordinator
(905) 318-5932 ext. 6118 lstephens@haldimandcounty.on.ca
New! Lecture en Francais – Reading in French
Ages: Grades 1-3
Fee: FREE!
Children in Grades 1-3 can improve their French reading skills by practising with bilingual reading buddy, Madame Mioc.
Caledonia Branch: Every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (February 26 – April 9, 2019)
Please note: This program is offered on a drop in basis in maximum 15 minute sessions. Children are encouraged to bring a French language book, or books to read.
Pre-registration is required – space is limited. Contact the Caledonia Branch at (289)674-0400 for more information.
Ukulele Club
Ages: 7 – 99 years
Fee: Free
Learn to play the ukulele! Join our program now running Wednesdays at the Dunnville Branch.
Experienced players from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., beginners from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. or mixed experience levels from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Bring your own ukulele or practice on one of ours. Please let us know in advance if you need to borrow an instrument.
Registration is required – call or visit the library to register.
EarlyON Drop In Play & Learn
Presented by the EarlyOn Child and Family Centre at the Selkirk Branch
Join EarlyON Staff for blocks, playdough, art, circle time and new friends!
The second Tuesday of each month from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
FREE!
All families welcome!