June 2023
Oh, the possibilities! 
Having a Muskoka Lakes Public Library card, some might say, is a priceless thing. Books, movies, magazines, in both digital and physical formats, games, puzzles, fishing rods, seeds, Ontario Park passes can all be borrowed at no cost and the only 'catch' is that you, the borrower, return the items borrowed in a timely matter in the condition that it was borrowed. Let's think about that a moment. Free. No charge. It really is truly amazing to have thousands of choices for reading and viewing at our fingertips purely by presenting a library card. How lucky we all are to live in such a wonderful country that values education for all it's citizens. Read on to find out more of what your library is offering this summer! Some are very time sensitive and require a registration for participation. Some are drop-in events. Some are held at our Port Carling branch and some at the Bala branch. 
Although it's not officially summer, we are certainly experiencing hot, dry summer weather even though the calendar has just flipped over to June. So hot and dry, in fact, that at the time of this writing, there is a total fire ban in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Let us all hope that we do not experience the wildfires that are happening all over our country.
Happy Pride month! Happy National Indigenous History month!
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21! Happy Seniors month!
Happy graduation to our students! 
So much to celebrate in June! 
 

Art on a Shelf Exhibit
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 the library.
New this year, will be a second exhibit. The Mini Masters Kids Art Show will be a show of mini creations from kids in grades 1 through 8.
You are invited to vote for your favourite art piece by filling out a People’s Choice ballot for both exhibits. And once again, both exhibits will be offering artwork for sale with proceeds going to support your library. Come to the Port Carling branch library during July 18 to August 15 to view, enjoy, vote and, maybe, take home a piece of original artwork!
Want to be a participating artist?
The art shows are open to include art enthusiasts from ages 6 to adults. If you have a MLP library card in good standing, you can pick up your free canvas board as of Saturday, June 3 with a deadline to return the finished masterpiece by July 8, 2023.
This is your chance to show off your creativity – use any medium to create any image.
People’s Choice winners will be counted and announced on August 16 – Good luck! 

Seed Library
Our Seed Library is now open and we are looking for members to join us in growing this season! Free seeds are available at the Port Carling Branch. Our cardholders are welcome to take home up to five mini packets of seeds to get your garden started! The seeds are from Hawthorn Farms and are certified organic, open-pollinated, and non-GMO.

It's a much anticipated  traditional summer event! For the 12th year, the Friends of the Muskoka Lakes Public Library are putting together another fabulous online auction with the generous support of the Muskoka Lakes community. Take a peek! Items are added almost daily so check in often.
It's super easy to get yourself registered to participate in bidding
and you'll get notification if you get outbid. 
 
If you are interested in donating a service or item to add to the auction, please contact the library 705-765-5650 muskokalakes@pclib.ca. All proceeds from the auction support the Muskoka Lakes Public Library in Port Carling and Bala.
 
Find out more about the Friends of the Library by attending the Meet | Greet | AGM
June 6 11:00 a.m.
Port Carling
We'd love to see you!

Story Time with Sandy Inkster
Tuesdays, July 4 through August 8 10:30 - 11:15 
BALA
Muskoka Lakes Public Library, with generous community donations, invites you to drop in to the library in Bala to join Sandy Inkster's story time. Sandy will have fun with you exploring storybooks and having adventures with activities featuring art, science, language, math, music, mindfulness, and physical movement. These fun, play-based experiences are great for people of all ages! Free! Fair weather dates we will gather on the lawn outside. Rain days we will gather inside.
July 4, 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8
Muskoka Reads Story Time
Wednesdays, July 5 through August 30 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
PORT CARLING
We are excited to bring back a summer tradition with Muskoka Reads! Guests from the community are invited to read a favourite book or two, tell about themselves and their interests or profession. Check out our guest list!
 

Yoga on a Chair for Every Body
Tuesdays all year 10:00 a.m.-10:45 p.m.
BALA
Drop-in. Chairs provided. Bring your own mat, if you wish, for under the chair. Full details on our website.

Nature Club
Tuesdays, July 4 - August 29 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
PORT CARLING
Each week we will explore a different theme, discover some neat facts about animals or plants, and create fun activities and projects. Drop in with your family for the MLPL Nature Club under the tent, outside on the lower patio of the Port Carling branch.  Due to the types of activities we have planned, this program is best suited for ages 4-10. Free.
 

Something Learned
Wednesdays, July 5 - August 30 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
PORT CARLING
A weekly series of hands-on activities, workshops, and lectures of interest to adults and mature teens. As space for programs is limited, we encourage all program participants to have a Muskoka Lakes Public Library membership and to register for programs as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 
All sessions require pre-registration. Some require cash payment.
Read about the details of each workshop on our website.

MLPL at Hanna Park
Thursdays, July through August 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Hanna Park in Port Carling
 
Find us set up under the Muskoka Lakes Public Library tent at the Farmer's Market at Hanna Park in Port Carling on fair-weather Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during July and August. We'll have stories and songs, activities and crafts.  

Mah Jongg and Euchre
Thursdays 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. all year
PORT CARLING
For adults and mature teens who are interested in playing with others in the comfort of the library in a non-competitive format. Join us at 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays on the lower level of the library in Port Carling in the Elizabeth H. Glen Heritage Room. For experienced players and those who would like to learn the games. Come solo, with a partner, or team up once here. 705-765-5650 muskokalakes@pclib.ca

Re(ad) Connect Adult/Child Book Club
Fridays, July 7-August 25 11:00 a.m. to noon
PORT CARLING
This program is best suited for adults and youth, with reading buddies aged 4-12.
Do you have fond memories of snuggling up on a lap or gathering around a grown-up who was reading a chapter book to you? Some books just beg to be shared by reading out loud (a great skill for babysitters!)
Join us as we reconnect with the time honoured tradition and discover the benefits of reading classic children's literature with family and friends. Each week we will discuss a familiar childhood classic in an unstructured format, so come and share your recollections and experiences with us!
Read a great book with someone new, and help them make memories of their own! 
For the full list of weekly book titles, check our website.

S.T.E.A.M.
Fridays, July 7-August 25 11:00 a.m. to noon
PORT CARLING
Are you 8 to 12 years old and interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics? 
 Register in person at the Port Carling branch. Non-refundable fees (cash only) vary per workshop and are required at registration. Each workshop limited to eight participants.
  • July 7 Landscape painting
  • July 14 Dot mandalas
  • July 21 Drawing using shading
  • July 28 Wooden bookmarks
  • August 4 Bridges
  • August 11 Mousetrap cars
  • August 18 Catapults
  • August 25 Electric circuits
Full details for each workshop can be found on our website.

Painting Workshops with Nancy Hunter
For over 20 years, Nancy Hunter has shared her passion for art with everyone around her. She loves the sense of freedom that creating brings, and likes to break down the creation process to make it easy and non-intimidating for everyone to approach. 
Specializing in acrylic and watercolor painting, Nancy teaches creative and interactive paint classes throughout Muskoka and beyond. She loves witnessing the moment where someone realized that they can create art whether they be six or 106!
Nancy is offering two workshops at the Port Carling branch this summer: July 28 and August 18. Contact Nancy Hunter to register and for further details: art@nancyhunter.ca
 

Story Trails are a fun way to enjoy reading while spending time outdoors. Community members are invited to visit Hanna Park in Port Carling and the Township of Muskoka Lakes Sports Park in Bala, May to mid September, and walk the path as you read the book. Book titles are changed out every two to three weeks. This is a self-guided tour that families can enjoy at their leisure.
 
Thank you to the
Friends of the Muskoka Lakes Library
for supporting the Story Trails!

This and That
  • We lend out fishing rods and tackle for visitors through the OFAH Tackleshare program.
  • Need a private work or meeting space? We might be able to help.
  • We offer a variety of office centre services.
  • We offer exam invigilator services.
  • You can read about the history of the library and view photos of the old library online.
  • A calendar of events for the Township of Muskoka Lakes can be viewed online. You can choose to only show library events.
  • You can subscribe to monthly newsletters that give you recommendations for books by genre.
  • We have free online resources.
  • Ancestry Library Edition is available free to use in the library. 
  • The Port Carling branch is open 10-5 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; 10-7 on Thursdays; 10-3 on Saturdays.
  • The Bala branch is open 9-3 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • You can use your MLPL card at both the Bala and the Port Carling branch.
  • You can make suggestions online for purchase.
  • Membership application can be done online.
  • We have Ontario Parks day-use permits available to check out with your library card.
  • Interlibrary loan service gives you access to books from other libraries.
  • We have used books for sale by donation. If you have recently published books, in good condition, that you would like to donate, please give us a call 705-765-5650. 
  • We have sturdy, stylish book bags for sale for $20.
  • Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
  • Our return boxes are open 24/7.
  • WiFi codes are posted on the front window in Port Carling for use around the perimeter of the building. You can also come inside to use the library WiFi and the library computers.
  • There are many ways to support your Muskoka Lakes Public Library.

Have you read...?
Careless
by Kirsty Capes

After discovering that she is pregnant, Bess debates whether to tell her social worker, foster mother, or her ex-boyfriend, but realizes that love is not unconditional and she can only depend on herself
The Light Pirate
by Lily Brooks-Dalton

"A luminous and wrenching portrait of a frighteningly possible future, The Light Pirate is a hopeful, sweeping story of survival and resilience spanning one extraordinary woman's lifetime as she navigates the uncertainty, brutality, and arresting beauty of a rapidly changing world (Booklist, starred review). Florida is slipping away. As devastating weather patterns and rising sea levels wreak gradual havoc on the state's infrastructure, a powerful hurricane approaches a small town on the southeastern coast."
The Old Lion : a novel of Theodore Roosevelt
by Jeff Shaara

The New York Times bestselling author traces the remarkable life of one of the most consequential figures in the U.S. and the world at large, from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, revealing a man who shaped the foundations of the modern country and world. 
True biz : a novel
by Sara Noviâc

Taking readers into a residential school for the deaf, this coming-of-age novel follows three people—a rebellious transfer student, the school's golden boy and the headmistress—as they each deal with personal and political crises and find their lives inextricable from one another—and changed forever.
Lookout : Love, Solitude, and Searching for Wildfire in the Boreal Forest
by Trina Moyles

A powerful and intimate memoir about a young woman's grueling, revelatory summers working alone in a remote lookout tower and her riveting eyewitness account of the increasingly unpredictable nature of wildfire in the Canadian north.
The Plant Hunter's Atlas : a world tour of botanical adventures, chance discoveries and strange specimens
by Ambra Edwards

A beautifully illustrated compendium of plant discovery and exploration - where horticulture and adventure collide.
Without Children : the long history of not being a mother
by Peggy O'Donnell Heffington

Drawing on deep research and her own experience as a woman without children, a historian shows how normal it has always been to not have children and stresses the importance of rebuilding kinship between mothers and non-mothers to build a better world for us all.
On Savage Shores : how indigenous Americans discovered Europe
by Caroline Dodds Pennock

Drawing on surviving their literature and poetry, one of the world's foremost authorities on Mesoamerica presents a sweeping account of the Indigenous American presence in, and impact on, early modern Europe, shattering our previous Eurocentric understanding of the Age of Discovery. Illustrations.

Muskoka Lakes Public Library
Box 189
69 Joseph St
Port Carling, Ontario P0B 1J0
705-765-5650
www.muskokalakes.ca/library