New Tablet Kits, Seed Library, Repair Café, and much more!
Barrie Public Library

What's Happening @ BPL: April 2025

[First Name], check out what's happening at the library this month!

Image of four dragon boats on Kempenfelt Bay, text reads: 21st Annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival; Hosted by the Barrie Public Library and presented by Tim Hortons; Registration Now Open.

Barrie Dragon Boat Festival Registration NOW OPEN!
Join us on August 16, 2025, for the 21st annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival, hosted by the Barrie Public Library and presented by Tim Hortons! 
 
Registration is now OPEN, with Early Bird registration running until April 30. Don’t miss your chance to save on team registration and to be entered into the Early Bird contest to win "The Ultimate Tim Hortons Coffee Break."
Learn More

Borrow Valid All April Long
One eRead/Un livrel Canada is an annual digital book club connecting readers and libraries from across Canada. This year's pick is Valid (ENG) / Valide (FR) by Chris Bergeron. 
 
Access the eBook and eAudiobook with no holds or waitlists in both English and French throughout April at BPL.
Learn More

Please note the library's upcoming holiday hours for Easter.

Image of hand holding a package of seeds in front of the Downtown Library Seed Library display.

BPL's Seed Library is Here!
It’s time to start planning your garden! We're excited to announce the return of the Seed Library, a collection of seeds for the community to borrow and grow at home. 
 
Visit any library location to choose from a range of vegetable and herb seeds to grow in your garden. Now available while supplies last. 
Learn More

Fix Your Household Items at Repair Café
Why buy something new when you can learn to fix what you already have? Join Living Green Barrie and our team of volunteer 'Fixers' to help you mend and repair common household items on Saturday, April 5 for free! Firebird Community Cycle will also be on site for bike tune-ups and minor repairs. 
 
Registration for fixing appointments is OPEN! Space is limited, and drop-ins will be first-come, first-served. Click the button below to learn more about what types of items are suitable for repairs at the Repair Café.
Learn More

Image of three book covers: Bad Nature by Ariel Courage; Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards; The Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla Barnes

April New Fiction
We've got the newest fiction reads! Place a hold on one of these titles being published in April.
Browse Now
Three book covers: We Are Eating the Earth by Michael Grunwald; Human Nature by Kate Marvel; After the North Pole by Erling Kagge.

Earth Day Reads
Earth Day is April 22. Browse our 'Invest In Our Planet' book list to learn more about our climate and changing earth.
Learn More

Image of Tablet Kit.

New Library of Things Items!
We're excited to announce two new items in our Library of Things collection: Adventure Kits and Tablet Kits! These kits are now available at any library location. 
 
Get outside and explore with an Adventure Kit. You can learn how to identify trees, master compass orienteering, or examine nature with a microscope. 
 
Using a Tablet Kit, you can listen to Audiobooks, read eBooks, learn new languages with Transparent Languages, play games and puzzles, and so much more. The possibilities are endless, whether you're tech-savvy or looking to try something new!
Borrow One Today

Image of three volunteers at the Holi Celebration.

Let's Celebrate Our Volunteers!
We are incredibly grateful for our 200+ volunteers. Their contributions are valued by everyone here at the Barrie Public Library and we're thrilled to see how their actions make an impact on our community’s overall wellness, both now and for future generations.
 
Join us to recognize National Volunteer Week from April 27 to May 3. If see you a volunteer in the library, say thank you for their efforts! 

Image of book covers and Sensory Support Kit. Book covers are How to Find a Four-Leaf Clover by Jodi Rogers, But Everyone Feels This Way by Paige Layle, Austism Out Loud by Kate Swenson.

Autism Awareness Day is April 2
Browse our resources for autism awareness and sensory support.
Learn More
Three book covers: Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, A Year of Last Things by Michael Ondaatje, Falling Back in Love With Being Human by Kai Cheng Thom.

Celebrate National Poetry Month
Every April we celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canadian culture. Dive into our poetry collection this month. 
Browse Now

Image of volunteers and patrons at the Big Spring Book Sale.

Save the Date: Big Spring Book Sale
Mark your calendars! BPL's Big Spring Book Sale will take place on May 23, May 24 and May 25, 2025.
 
Last year, 600+ book lovers raised over $5,400 to support library services! Stay tuned for more event details coming soon. 

We Want To Know!

Last Month's Poll:

What's your favourite way to use the library?
Results for the poll

This Month:
If you had to choose between reading only fiction or only non-fiction for the rest of your life, which one would you pick?
Fiction
Non-fiction

.......
Image of April 2025 events calendar, showing events happening every day of the month.

Join us this month for a huge variety of programs for adults, teens, and kids.
View Our Events Calendar

New & Noteworthy Events
Image of black chalkboard with the word 'inflammation' on it.
Understanding Inflammation
Painswick
Fri., Apr. 11 (2:30-3:30pm)

Seniors and adults are invited to join registered nurse Jean Bouchard to discuss inflammation, the good and the bad!
Register Now
Image of three older adults waving.

Fall Prevention

Painswick

Tues., Apr. 29 (2:30-3:30pm)

Learn practical strategies for fall prevention at the Painswick Library. Hosted by a registered physiotherapist and a Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist.
Learn More
Image of three caregivers with babies in the Creative Spaces at the Downtown Library.

Craft and Connect

Downtown

Fri., Apr. 4, 11 & 25 (10am-12pm)
Drop in for an adult craft in a space that accommodates baby-wearing or non-walking babies. Get creative with your baby by your side and connect with other caregivers!
Learn More

Information Barrie logo.
Find Legal Information with Information Barrie
Are you looking for legal information? Visit our Community Directory for clear and accurate guidance by CLEO, Community Legal Education Ontario. They cover a wide range of topics, including wills and power of attorneys, housing law, family law and so much more. Visit their Steps to Justice page for guided pathways to legal information. 
Learn More

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Barrie Public Library
60 Worsley Street Barrie, ON L4M 1L6
barrielibrary.ca  |  705-728-1010  |  AskUs@barrielibrary.ca