2026 May Library News

Highlights for May 2026

The Library will be closed Monday, May 18 for Victoria Day.

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

Book Donation Guidelines

Library Accepting Book Donations for Sale

Beginning May 4, the Library is excited to once again accept used book donations. Help us continue this community service by following these new guidelines.

The Library does not have the facilities to dispose of items that are in poor condition, so please be kind when choosing what to donate.

Due to space constraints and the new recycling guidelines, we have a limit of 2 boxes (50 books) per week, per household.

Owen Sound Mini Con Returns for 2026!

Saturday, May 2, 10am-4pm

Join us for a 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.

Full event details in the link below.

OSMiCon

Coming Soon: Summer Program Schedule

The Library kicks off summer programming on Saturday, June 27 with the TD Summer Reading Club Launch in Youth Services.

Coming in June, check out our schedule of summer programs for children and youth chock full of fun, learning and community for all ages.

Swag Suggestions

Show Off Your Library Love

Let the world know how much you love your public library by sporting some sweet library swag.

NEW! Yvonne the Youth Services Yak, our awesome YS mascot is now available in keychain form for only $5. Also keep an eye out for library logo keychains.

CLASSIC! Pick up a 100% organic cotton library tote. Perfect for books, groceries and the beach! Still only $10.

Are there other ways you'd like to show off your library? Let us know!

Library of Things: Everything Except the Book

Ever wonder what weird and wonderful things the Library has in its collection for you to borrow? To help you see everything available to sign out from our public library, take a look at our new Library of Things binder located on the main level and in Youth Services.

Yard games, percussion instruments, film scanners, radon detectors, puzzles, binoculars, trekking poles and lots more!

Are there things you think would make a good addition to our Library of Things collection? Let us know!

Suggestions

Library of Things

Hockey History Comes Alive

Saturday, May 23, 7pm
Kemble Church

Eric Zweig shares the best hockey stories and you have a front row seat for this exciting look at Canada's game. The bestselling author delivers the inside scoop on the athletes, competition and excitement of the sport as he draws on his 40 years as a professional sports writer.

Admission by donation. All donations to be directed to Youth Programs at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library

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.

May 1 to June 30 - Community Art Exhibit - Owen Sound Camera Club - Main Level

Friday, May 1: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Owen Sound Camera Club Photography Exhibit – May and June

The library is pleased to host the Owen Sound Camera Club in the Community Art Exhibit for a photography show “Spring”.

As one of the oldest camera clubs in Ontario, they have been meeting to share their love of photography for over 65 years! Stop by to experience the abundant talent this group has to offer.

Want to showcase your work at the Library? Apply Now

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

More Info

Preschool Storytime

Tuesday, May 19: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Join us for stories, songs, early literacy, and movement! Bring your singing voice as we work together to acquire early literacy skills. Drop-in.

Event Type: Early Literacy and Early Learning

More Info

Reshape Your Beliefs and Unlock Your True Potential with Nir Eyal

Tuesday, May 19: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible…was belief? This is the question posed by bestselling author Nir Eyal in his new work, Beyond Belief.

Most of your limits aren’t physical. They’re psychological. In Beyond Belief, Nir Eyal reveals how the hidden assumptions you carry shape what you see, how you feel, and what you do—and how to replace them with beliefs that unlock your true potential.

This is an online event. Click the link below to register.

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

More Info

Gardener in Residence

Tuesday, May 19: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Using Ornamental Grasses in Your Landscape.

Learn from the Grey County Master Gardeners about the diverse types of ornamental grasses, how to plant and divide them, where to place them and how to use them for best effect in your garden.

Grasses are a wonderful attribute in our gardens. They provide texture, movement, and sound.

The Gardener in Residence program is presented by the Grey County Master Gardeners. Attend a monthly gardening demo followed by a 1-hour drop-in advice clinic for all your plant and garden queries.

Event Type: Other Programming for Adults

More Info

Let's Colour! A Colouring Program for Adults

Tuesday, May 19: 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

Discover All Our Upcoming Events

Adult Learning Centre

"Education is the key to unlocking the world. It is the passport to freedom."
~ Oprah Winfrey

Looking to walk down a new path? The ALC is here to help. Whether that journey involves completing high school credits, getting ready for an apprenticeship, or upgrading skills for work - come on by to chat about your goals and let us support you in your 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:

Tom Thomson Art Gallery

Liz Zetlin: More Than Human - a year in my garden

Liz Zetlin’s More Than Human unfolds as an immersive four-channel video installation, filmed over the course of a year in her local garden.

Until June 27

Tom Thomson Art Gallery

Billy Bishop Museum

Mother's Day Tea

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a relaxed afternoon tea at the Billy Bishop Museum, surrounded by the Victorian past, and stories of our local veterans.

Billy Bishop Museum Events

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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