Find our featured programs here. Reviews, crafts, activities and more. View our newsletter for more programs and details.
Reviews and recommendations
Find new reads through our adult book clubs, teen reviews, and recommendations by kids for kids! Interested in participating? See the featured review page for details or contact us. Teens are awarded 5 community service hours for each approved review. Reviews and recommendations are published here and on social media accounts.
See reviews and recommendations
Canadian Library Month
October 1 to 31, 2023.
2023 Theme: Libraries for Life
During the month of October, libraries and library partners across Canada are raising awareness of the valuable role libraries play in Canadians' lives. More than just a place to find books, libraries promote cultural awareness, engage in the community, provide educational programs, support freedom of expression, and so much more!
We are celebrating Canadian Library Month with three new contests for our Port Colborne community. Stop by the library to pick up a form. For full contest details, please contact the library.
| Tell us why you love your library |
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We are asking our community to tell us why you love your library! Pick up a form and submit your response before October 31, 2023 to be entered into a prize draw. |
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Sign up (your friend) for a library card |
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Sign up for a library card during the month of October to be entered into a prize draw! Already have a library card? Have a friend sign up for a library card and you will both be entered into the prize draw! |
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Spooky story contest (all ages) |
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Submission due: Monday, October 23, 2023. Submit an original spooky story to library@portcolborne.ca for a chance to win a prize. Entries must be between one and three pages in length. One story will be selected from each age group and will be shared on the library's website and social media accounts. Winners to be announced on Halloween! Forms also available at the library. |
Trivia Night Library and Museum Fundraiser
Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Test your spooky trivia skills in this event hosted by the legendary trivia masters: Port Colborne Public Library and Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum.
Are you up to the challenge? Come dressed as your favourite historical or literary character for a chance to win a special prize package filled with... what else? Books! Individuals can join a team at the event, or sign up as a team with a maximum of 8. Pizza and beverages available for purchase.
Call 905-834-6512 for more information.
All proceeds go to the Library and Museum.
Location: Roselawn Centre, 296 Fielden Avenue, Port Colborne
Tickets: $10
Local author: Brenda Lanigan
Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Join local author Brenda Lanigan as she discusses her book What If...365 Positive Possibilities for Life. The event is free.
Location: L.R. Wilson Archives, 286 King St., Port Colborne
Pre-registration is required. Contact the library for more information: 905-834-6512. Free.
An Afternoon with William Thomas
Saturday, October 28, 2023.
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The Port Colborne Public Library is proud to present bestselling author, scriptwriter, and nationally syndicated humour columnist William Thomas for a special event. The program features:
- The launch of Bill's Best Reads Book Club!
- A guided tour of the collection of photographs of great Canadian authors who came to the "Readings at the Roselawn" author series.
- An intimate book signing of William Thomas' brand new book And That's Why I Love Small Town Living.
Pre-registration is required. Contact the library for more information: 905-834-6512. Free.
Adam Shoalts Book Launch and Talk
Sunday, November 12, 2023.
6:00 p.m.
Adam Shoalts – Writer, Explorer, Public Speaker will speak on his latest book Where the Falcon Flies as a fundraiser for the Port Colborne Library and Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum boards. The book is being released worldwide by Penguin Random House and available for sale at the event. This book has a strong connection to Port Colborne, which is about the canoe journey Adam did last year from Lake Erie to the Arctic.
Call the box office 905-834-0833 to purchase tickets.
Location: Lighthouse Theatre, Roselawn Centre, 296 Fielden Avenue, Port Colborne
Tickets: $10
Drinks and books are available for purchase.
Documentary films
Monday, October 30, 2023. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Join us for a screening and discussion of a documentary film:
- The Poisoner's Handbook Killer Chemistry (2014, 120 min.)
- In the early 1900s, the average American medicine cabinet was a would-be poisoner's treasure chest. Deadly chemicals such as radioactive radium, thallium, potassium cyanide, and morphine lurked in health tonics, depilatory creams, teething medicine, and cleaning supplies.
Pre-registration is required. Contact the library for more information: 905-834-6512. Free.
Painting with Kyla: Walk of the Witch
Thursday, October 12, 2023.
1:00 to 2:30 p.m. & 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Create the silhouette of a witch and her black cat going for a spooky stroll in a whimsical forest. Learn perspective techniques, blending and shading tricks, all while having fun with the use of colour and playful brushstrokes!
Pre-registration is required. Contact the library for more information: 905-834-6512. Cost: $15 per person.
Activities for children
Join us for various activities. Check out our newsletter for current and upcoming events and programs.
Create our November bookmark
During October, we are calling all kids to create a bookmark for the library. Make it at home or at the library-- we'll supply the paper. Submit your design by October 31, 2023 for a chance to be our featured artist for November. The theme is "Your (Dream) Pet."
Available in the Children's Room. Free.
Scavenger hunts
Find all of the scavenger hunt items and win a small prize. This program runs in the Children's Room every day with a new theme each week. Drop-in.
| Weekly themes |
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PD Day Activity: Pixel Art Challenge
Friday October 6, 2023. 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Join us for a pixel art challenge! There will be timed challenges and a chance to create your own designs. Plus, you get a special book to keep!
Limited spaces. Free.
Pre-registration required.
Thanks to the Port Colborne Optimist Club.
Tuesdays
October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2023.
10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Songs, stories, and rhymes with your little one.
For ages zero to two. Free.
Pre-registration required.
Thursdays
October 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2023.
10:15 to 11:00 a.m.
Enjoy stories, crafts, and a circle-time.
For ages two to five accompanied by a parent/caregiver. Free.
Pre-registration required.
Saturdays
October 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2023.
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Meet us in the Children’s Room for a fun, free, family time.
All ages. Free. No registration required.
Community Connect
Learn more about services and programs offered by local community support groups.
Resume Refresh with PC Works
Tuesdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2023.
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Bring in a copy of your resume (paper/digital) and get tips to improve it. PC Works will help refresh and optimize your resume to highlight your skills to match your employment goals. Don't have a resume? PC Works can help get you started.
Drop-in. Free.
Ontario Senior's Dental Care Program
Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
For any low-income seniors without dental care, the government of Ontario has developed The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) for free dental care for seniors who are 65 and older. Bridges Community Health Centre's Dental Health Community Worker Valerie Wehlann will be available to provide more information on eligibility and enrollment. Valerie can also reached at 905-871-7621 ext. 2245 for any questions about the Ontario Senior's Dental Care Program or other dental assistance related questions.
Drop-in. Free.
Service Canada
Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
10:00 am to 1:00 p.m.
Service Canada can help you apply for programs and services:
- Old Age Security (OAS)
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
Birchway Niagara (Formerly Women's Place)
Friday, October 20, 2023.
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Learn about communication, boundaries, safety planning, and healthy relationships. Learn how to help someone who may be experiencing abuse. Confidential meeting spaces available.
Drop-in. Free.
Niagara Parents: Ask a Nurse
Friday, October 13, 2023.
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Chat with a Niagara Region Public Health Nurse from the Family Health division. Learn about pregnancy, adjusting to parenthood, your well-being as a parent, parenting tips, your child's growth and development, and more! They can link you with services and programs in the Region.
Drop-in. Free.
Infant Sleep Workshop
Friday, October 27, 2023.
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Niagara Region Public Health nurses will be discussing healthy sleep for infants ages six to 12 months. Support for creating individualized sleep plan for your baby will be available.
Pre-registration required. Free.
Have THAT Talk Series
Tuesdays, October 3 & 10, 2023.
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Learn about safe ways to talk about mental health or illness and how to support others sharing their challenges with you. Presented by the Niagara Region.
Pre-registration required. Free.
Speak with a Registered Dietician
Monday, October 2, 2023.
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Have questions about nutrition and diet? Speak with a registered dietician from Bridges Community Health Centre.
Drop-in. Free.
PFLAG Niagara
Saturday, November 4, 2023.
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In communities across the country, the Pflag Canada network provides peer support, education and advocacy for a Canada that affirms, respects and values all sexualities, genders and gender expressions.
PFLAG Niagara offers local, practical, and emotional peer-to-peer family support for individuals and their loved ones in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Drop-in. Free.
Wonderbooks
We now have Wonderbooks, thanks to a generous donation from the Port Colborne Lions Club! Wonderbooks are print books with a ready-to-play audiobook inside. Press play to read along with a book, and then switch to learning mode for literacy learning and fun.
To see what's available, please visit our online catalogue. You can also search “Wonderbook” as a keyword search for all of LiNC.
Book club sets
Have you ever wanted to start your own book club? Now there are more ways than ever to borrow a set of book club books. All free with your Port Colborne Public Library card.
Port Colborne Public Library book club sets
We are happy to offer the following sets:
- The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
- Educated by Tara Westover
- Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
- Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis
- The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
- White Lies by Sara de Waard (Port Colborne author)
- ... and more! Please visit our online catalogue.
LiNC book club sets
Did you know that you can order over 250 different sets of book club books through LiNC using your Port Colborne Public Library card? From mystery to biography, from the classics to the latest bestsellers, there is a book for every kind of club. Some restrictions may apply.
To see what's available, please visit our online catalogue. You can also search “Book Club Set” as a title search. Need more information? Call us at 905-834-6512, we are happy to help you get started!
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