Abbey Preston is the former Associate Manager at the Stanley A. Milner Branch of EPL.
Winter has arrived in the city and the holiday season is upon us—what better way to get in the merry mood than heading to the Library for some festive, family fun! Check out our list of exciting events, classes and resources to discover at EPL this winter.
1. Exciting Events
From family board game night, family films, puppet shows, lunchtime concerts to family storytimes (en français, aussi), EPL has you covered for family fun this holiday season. We have exciting events and classes taking place across all of our locations, so head to our What’s On page to find out what’s happening near you!
Too cold to leave the living room? Attend a virtual evening with Parks Canada to learn how to observe nighttime wonders like the Northern Lights, starry skies and nocturnal wildlife.
2. Play!
Did you know that you can play Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch at our Stanley A. Milner Library? Explore our Gamerspace and check out our gaming PCs, console stations and vintage arcade games! After you are crowned Mario Kart racing champion, check out our Children’s Makerspace to tinker with tech, music and more! From a DIY DJ booth to 3D printing, there is plenty of opportunities to play at the Library.
Can’t make it downtown? Our Abbottsfield – Penny McKee, Capilano, Londonderry and Whitemud Crossing branches also have their own Makerspaces with kid-friendly fun to discover.
3. Join a Club
It may almost be the end of year, but it’s not too late for the kids to join a club! We have weekly programming for a variety of ages, from preschoolers to teens. Clubs run year-round and can be found at locations across the city, including Discovery Club, STEAM Lab and Lego at the Library.
4. Merry Activities
Head to one of our EPL locations any day of the week to explore in-branch activities like Christmas colouring, festive displays, themed crafts, scavenger hunts and more! Just ask any of our friendly staff members what DIY fun is happening during your visit—they will point you in the right direction. Not sure of our opening hours? Find a location close to you.
5. Read!
There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than snuggling up with a festive book to read as a family. Need some inspiration for your next cozy title? Check out our holiday-themed book list—a staff-created selection of jolly reads for the 2022 holiday season. With over 25 new titles to choose from, there is something to interest even the pickiest young readers.
Want to continue the Christmas read-a-thon, but unsure what to choose next? Explore NoveList K-8, a bookish database to help find your child's next read. Search for books based on mood, favourite characters, authors, pace and/or reading level. With thousands of book suggestions at your fingertips, NoveList is a great resource to engage young readers. OverDrive Kids is also fantastic for accessing children’s eBooks and eAudiobooks for free, including popular titles like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, Cat Kid, Dog Man and more!
Want a staff-curated book list just for you? Request a Personal Picks Pack specifically for your kids! Choose how many items you would like (up to five), your child's age, their favourite themes and stop by your nearest location to collect your personal pack together.
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