Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library
Image of snow covered field at sunset, text reads
Highlights for December 2025
Holiday Closures:
 
The Library will be closing Wednesday, December 24 at 1pm and will remain closed December 25-28, reopening on Monday, December 29 at 1pm.
 
We will be closing at 1pm on Wednesday, December 31 and will be closed Thursday, January 1.
It's the Season of Giving
A donation to the Library is not only a great gift idea for the bibliophile in your life, it's also a great way to support your community. Donations can be directed to collections, programs, or special projects. 
 
For collections we are able to plate books with a message from the donor and arrange for the donor or honouree to be the first borrower. 
 
Library donations are eligible for tax recipts.
Donate with Canada Helps
Meet Our New Mascot!
Over the summer, the Library ran a mascot design contest for Youth Services. Youth were asked to submit an original design, including a name and brief backstory for their mascot. The response was fantastic, and we received a total of 37 creative, delightful, and thoughtful designs. 
 
We are pleased to announce that Yvonne the Youth Services Yak by Pax VanWyck is our new department mascot! Keep an eye out for Yvonne around the department soon — her cool outfit and fun colour palette will be an exciting addition to our space!
 
Thank you to local artist Laura Stirling who took Pax's design and created a version of Yvonne to be used in Youth Services promotional materials.
 
Thank you to the TD Bank Owen Sound for providing funding for the Mascot Design Contest prize money.
Fireside Chat Series 
Are you an author interested in promoting your book at the library?
Sign up for a Fireside Chat. To learn more email: info@library.osngupl.ca
 
Fireside Chats run January-May, Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 pm and Thursdays 2:00-3:00 pm.
Write @ Your Library Anthology
Write @ Your Library: Congratulations to This Year's Winners!
The awards ceremony for the 2025 Write @ Your Library writing contest took place on Friday, November 21. Congratulations to the winners selected by this year's judges! You can read the selected stories and poems on our website.  
Adult Winter Reading Challenge
January 1 to March 31
 
Bookmarks available at the end of December. Grab a bookmark and complete all of the challenges by the end of March. Every book read receives a ballot for the end of March draw. Complete all 10 challenges and receive 2 extra ballots! Happy reading!
Community Art Exhibit: AJ Lawrence
The Library is pleased to welcome AJ Lawrence and his photography collection to the Community Art Exhibit.
 
AJ Lawrence is a local photographer inspired by the quiet beauty of local landscapes and public places, and the subtle stories of the natural world.
 
Living with PTSD, ASD, and Auditory Processing Disorder has shaped AJ’s perspective, strengthened his resilience, and enhanced his ability to work independently–qualities he brings to every photographic project.
 
AJ’s photography will be displayed on the main level throughout December 2025 and January 2026.
Community Art Application
Library of Things Feature:
Reading Pen
The C-Pen ReaderPen is a portable, text-to-speech scanning aid that helps readers build fluency, improve literacy, and read independently. The ReaderPen is designed to assist people with a learning disability such as dyslexia, people with low vision, and language learners. 
Reading Pen
A boy sits on the ground with a laptop on his lap, text reads
Kanopy
Online Resource Feature:
Kanopy
Looking for something to watch to get into the holiday spirit? With your library membership you have access to thousands of free movies and tv series on Kanopy.
 
Kanopy's "Home Viewing for the Holiday" list currently has 153 titles including A Sudden Case of Christmas, Christmas with the Kranks and Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever.
 
Kanopy lists films and television from BBC and Lifetime movies. Not to mention holiday horror and winter thriller selections. And did you know you can also watch "Death in Paradise" on Kanopy? 
Safe 'n Sound's Gift of Giving
The Library is pleased to be the drop off location for Safe 'n Sound's Gift of Giving campaign. This campaign is all about little joys and personal treats, things their participants actually want for the holidays, not just everyday needs.
 
Consider donating: sweets, hair ties, nail polish, markers & colours books, individually packaged tea/coffee/hot chocolate, etc. You can see the poster at our Circulation Desk for a full list of suggestions. 
A boy sits on the ground with a laptop on his lap, text reads
Safe 'n Sound

Upcoming Events at the Library
For a full listing of all programs coming up at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, click on the button below. 

Community Art Exhibit - AJ Lawrence

Monday, December 1: 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The library is pleased to welcome AJ Lawrence and his photography collection to the Community Art Exhibit.

AJ Lawrence is a local photographer inspired by the quiet beauty of local landscapes and public places, and the subtle stories of the natural world.

Living with PTSD, ASD, and Auditory Processing Disorder has shaped AJ’s perspective, strengthened his resilience, and enhanced his ability to work independently–qualities he brings to every photographic project.

AJ’s photography will be on display throughout December 2025 and January 2026.

 

 

Event Type: Adults, Children, Teens

More Info

Switch it Up! Drop-in Video Gaming

Monday, December 22: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

For children and teens.

It's time to level up! Join us Monday evenings for some casual video gaming fun. Controllers provided. Sharing is encouraged: up to four players can game at once. Drop-in. 

Event Type: Children, Teens

More Info

Youth English Language Conversation Club

Tuesday, December 23: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Youth in grades 6-12 who are learning English as an additional language are invited to attend a 6-week social club to practice English speaking and reading skills with fun games, snacks and activities. Registration encouraged.

Event Type: Unknown (category)

More Info

Switch it Up! Drop-in Video Gaming

Monday, December 29: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

For children and teens.

It's time to level up! Join us Monday evenings for some casual video gaming fun. Controllers provided. Sharing is encouraged: up to four players can game at once. Drop-in. 

Event Type: Children, Teens

More Info
Discover All Our Upcoming Events

Adult Learning Centre
Goals are great—but habits get them done! Stop by the Adult Learning Centre and see how we can help you build the habits that lead to success!
Adult Learning Centre
Hours
Mon.             8:30am-4:30pm
Tues.- Fri.    8:30am-5pm
 
Contact:
owensoundlearning@adultlearningcentres.ca
519-376-6623 ext. 2
alcentres.ca
Facebook:   @owensoundalc
Instagram:   @alc_owensound

Announcements from our Open Card partners:
Photo of child's hand hold a paintbrush over top of water colour pots, text reads
Tom Thomson Art Gallery
New exhibits running until January.
 
Where the Willows Weep and Orchids Dream: Bianca Artemida Nam
 
Convergence: Juried Art Exhibition
Tom Thomson Art Gallery
Cartoon image of red sunglasses
Community Waterfront Heritage Centre
Celebrate the Season
December 6, 1-4pm
 
Buy locally made goods at the gift shop and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Adopt-an-Artifact is a great gift to consider for the history buff in your life.
Marine & Rail Waterfront Heritage
Billy Bishop Museum logo with a paintbrush
Billy Bishop Museum
Victorian Christmas Afternoon Dessert Tea
 
Tuesdays & Wednesdays in December, 12-2pm.
 
Adults $30
Children (5-11) $15
Children (4 and under) FREE
Bill Bishop Museum Events

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Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library
824 1st Ave. W. Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K4
Phone: (519) 376-6623
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