2026 April Library News

Highlights for April 2026

The Library will be closed Friday, April 3 for Good Friday and Monday, April 6 for Easter Monday.

Owen Sound Mini Con Returns for 2026!

Join us for a full day of comic and fandom related events! Cosplay, videogame tournaments, Scenic City Games, artist's alley, crafts, prizes and more. Visit our website to view a schedule of events.

This year's OSMiCon will feature a Pokemon-themed escape room. Registration opens April 1 - book early as spaces will fill up.

Celebrate Earth Week at the Library, April 20-24

April 20-25 – Library Discards Giveaway, all week on the Main Level

April 20 – Gardener in Residence, registration required, in the Auditorium

April 21 – Geology of the Owen Sound Area in 5 hikes with geologist Beth Gilhespy, register, in the Auditorium

April 22 – Swap 'n Share Jigsaw Puzzles and Games, drop off games/puzzles to swap April 13-22 for exchange tickets and early access

April 20-24 Event Schedule

April 24 – Earth Day inspired crafts for adults and children, Main Level and Youth Services, drop in

Adult Volunteer Form

Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 19-25

We would like to thank all of our hardworking volunteers without whom we would truly be at a loss. Teenaged and adult volunteers make many things possible: Library Board, Repair Cafe, OSMiCon, Reading Buddies, shelf-reading, book sales, extension services, watering plants, cleaning and tidying, supporting staff with children’s programs, sorting book donations, Adult Learning Centre help and more! We are grateful for our community members who give their time to support the Library.

Teen Volunteer Form

Is Our Technology Helping You?

We are seeking direct feedback from library users on your experiences with technology services, to help us highlight how these services impact lives. This will aid us in assessing service effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement, and understanding users’ digital needs and preferences. Thank you for participating.

Open through the month of April.

Bridge Technology Survey

Community Art Exhibit - Marc Matei

Owen Sound artist Marc Matei was born in Timisoara, Romania and relocated to Canada in 2011. His journey has crossed many oceans, and he is still traveling though this world gathering inspiration and odd treasures. The theme of Marc's work is surrealist fantasy using India ink and watercolours.

Marc’s sketches will be displayed on the main level during the month of April..

Reading Buddies & ELL Reading Buddies

Application Deadline: Friday, June 5

This summer the Library will be running both Reading Buddies and an English Language Learner Reading Buddies program, specifically designed to support children with their English language acquisition. Families can register children in grades 1-6 into the program stream that best suits their needs.

The Library is also seeking Reading Buddies mentors to work one-on-one with the children. High school students and adults are invited to volunteer for these programs and help children build their reading confidence in weekly sessions through July and August.

Reading Buddies

ELL Reading Buddies

Repair Cafe

Repair Cafe

Saturday, April 11, 1-4pm

In the Auditorium

Happy 2nd Anniversay to the Repair Cafe! March 2026 marked 2 years of the Library welcoming the wonderful folks from the Georgian Bluffs Climate Action Team to run a monthly repair cafe in our Auditorium.

Give new life to broken household items and clothing and enjoy the community atmosphere and refreshments.

Literary Happenings at the Library

Saturday, April 11, 1-3pm: Let's Start at the Very Beginning, How to Write a Poem (for absolute beginners and everyone else), registration required
Tuesday, April 14, 7-8pm: Fireside Chat with Author Alanna Rusnak
Friday, April 24, 7:30pm: Afterhours Poetry Reading: Words at the Waning of Winter
Saturday, April 25, 2:30-4:30pm: Book Launch for People of a Place

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 - Marc Matei

Monday, March 30: 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The library is pleased to welcome local artist Marc Matei to the Community Art Exhibit.

Marc Matei was born in Timisoara, Romania and relocated to Canada in 2011. His journey has crossed many oceans, and he is still traveling though this world gathering inspiration and odd treasures.

After completing a degree in graphic design and a short, exasperating stint at an ad agency, Marc found his way to the REACH Centre Grey Bruce. It was through learning how to share his passion for art with youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities that he found an entirely new way to see the world and the beauty in it. Supporting their ability to express themselves and find a voice has been very challenging but also very rewarding both professionally and personally for Marc.

Marc’s theme of work is surrealist fantasy using India ink and watercolours.

Marc’s sketches will be displayed on the main level during the month of April.

Event Type: Culture Days / Poetry and Story Readings / Art shows

More Info

Seated Gentle Fit with Sally Sunshine

Tuesday, April 7: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Join Sally Sunshine for a 45 minute gentle flexibility class. Sally will end each class with some tips on preventing falls and staying active. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Event Type: Seniors Programming

More Info

Let's Colour! A Colouring Program for Adults

Tuesday, April 7: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Join us Tuesday afternoons for some colouring fun at the library. All materials provided.

Event Type: Other Programming for Adults > Arts Programming

More Info

Teen Advisory Group

Tuesday, April 7: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

This volunteer youth board works to develop library programming for youth and build our young adult collection. Develop your leadership skills and make a difference in your community.

Event Type: Teen Programs

More Info

Libby Tips and Tricks

Wednesday, April 8: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Come to a Libby information session. Access free Libby eBooks, audiobooks and magazines with your library card.

Learn about tags, timelines and how to receive a digital bouquet of flowers in the app!

Registration is required.

Event Type: Adult Learning

More Info

Discover All Our Upcoming Events

Adult Learning Centre

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

Looking to feel more confident with technology? Wanting to complete your Ontario Secondary School Diploma? Interested in increasing communication skills for work? The ALC is here to help. Stop by to chat about your goals and next steps!

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:

Billy Bishop Museum

In Their Steps / Through Their Eyes

Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Liberation of the Netherlands and the final days of World War II, students from OSDSS and GBCS present their research on local servicemen involved in the liberation of Europe from Nazi forces.

Billy Bishop Museum Events

Tom Thomson Art Gallery

New exhibits running until June.

Forecast - January 24-June 20

Harold Klunder: The Dance of Life - January 24-June 20

Tom Thomson Art Gallery

Marine & Rail Waterfront Museum

Throughout 2026 the Museum will be showcasing artifacts that have rarely been seen. Drop by to see pieces that we’ve learned more about, pieces that are hard to fit into larger exhibits, and pieces that they previously didn’t even know we had!

Marine & Rail Waterfront Museum

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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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