Books & Audiobooks
Upcoming Programs for Teens
Cultures and Communities
Poetry in Place Book Launch
May 15th: 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Event
Poetry in Place is a curated anthology for readers who love both poetry and the land. The subject matter addresses a very specific territory: the “land between the waters” of Lake Ontario and the Grand River, west of Toronto and east of London, in southern Ontario. The anthology includes poems by more than forty contemporary poets of different ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. They pondered the natural world around them, and asked themselves, “What is it that the land has to say to us?” In these days of climate disruption, biodiversity loss, a new awareness of the dire history of colonized Indigenous peoples, and the spectre of global pandemic, how can we hear the voices of the natural world? We suggest that poetry offers a powerful mode of attention and analysis, now as it always has done. Contributors are also interviewed about their relationship with the land, their spirituality and worldview, and their motivation in writing poetry about the environment.
Special Events
The Art of the Bird
May 31st: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Main Library
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Event
Enjoy a guided bird walk through Waterloo Park with bird expert David Gascoigne, followed by a visit to the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery to explore Nestcraft—a unique exhibition about swallows and human collaboration in nest-building—along with several other thought-provoking shows on display. Along the way, discover the remarkable lives of birds and the many ways we can observe, support, and learn from them.
Crafts and Hobbies
Teen Crafternoon
July 12th: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Program
Love getting crafty in the afternoon? Spend some creative time working on fun hands-on projects like tie-dye, t-shirt tote bags, painting, clay or pottery, and jewelry making with Shrinky Dinks. Come ready to create and take home something uniquely yours!
Socials and Clubs
Teen Social Club
July 15th: 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
John M. Harper Branch
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Program
Through fun and engaging team activities, you'll grow as a leader, sharpen your public speaking skills, explore your creativity with technology, and discover possible future careers. You'll also learn how to communicate more effectively and get involved in meaningful community service.
Crafts and Hobbies
Teen Crafternoon
July 26th: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Program
Love getting crafty in the afternoon? Spend some creative time working on fun hands-on projects like tie-dye, t-shirt tote bags, painting, clay or pottery, and jewelry making with Shrinky Dinks. Come ready to create and take home something uniquely yours!
Special Events
Film Screening: "Don't Be Nice"
July 29th: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Main Library
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Event
Come watch the powerful and thought-provoking film, Don't Be Nice, an emotional and inspiring documentary that dives deep into issues of race, gender, identity, and sexual politics in America today. It’s more than just a competition documentary—it’s also a moving look at a group of poets working through real and difficult conversations in a writer's workshop, all while trying to make a meaningful impact through their words.
Socials and Clubs
Teen Social Club
August 5th: 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
John M. Harper Branch
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Program
Through fun and engaging team activities, you'll grow as a leader, sharpen your public speaking skills, explore your creativity with technology, and discover possible future careers. You'll also learn how to communicate more effectively and get involved in meaningful community service.
Socials and Clubs
Share a Book, Swap a Book
August 5th: 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Main Library
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Program
Is there a book that impacted you that you think others would benefit from reading? In this program, we'll bring in our personal copies of a book that is meaningful to us (but we are willing to part with), and discuss why we loved it and why others should read it, with a “show and tell” segment. Then, we’ll swap our favourite “must read” and other favourites with one another.
Crafts and Hobbies
Learn to Cricut for Teens
August 6th: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Program
Curious about how Cricut machines work? This program gives teens a chance to learn the basics with a hands-on tutorial and plenty of time to experiment.
Crafts and Hobbies
Learn to Cricut for Teens
August 13th: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Teens
Registration required
About the Program
Curious about how Cricut machines work? This program gives teens a chance to learn the basics with a hands-on tutorial and plenty of time to experiment.
