Highlights for September 2026
The Library will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labour Day and Wednesday, September 30 for Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Summer flew by at the Library. Many programs and lots of reading kept patrons and staff busy! We'd like to thank our two super summer students, Mackenna Galbraith and River Emonts, for all of their hard work supporting programs for children and youth over the past four months. And thank you to the Government of Canada through the Young Canada Works and Canada Summer Jobs programs for the wage subsidies that made it possible to provide two local university students with valuable summer employment. We wish them all the best as they return to school.
Congratulations to Our TD Summer Reading Club Participants 
With summer winding to a close and back to school on the horizon, we'd like to congratulate the 356 children and teens who took part in the 2026 TD Summer Reading Club. Making the commitment to keep reading through the summer months, our young readers reported on a total of 8,739 books over July and August. What an amazing achievement!
 
We'd like to wish all of our young patrons a successful start to the new school year and hope that their love of books stays with them.  
Teen Focus Group
Thursday,  September 24
4:00-5:30pm in Youth Services
 
Join other youth to chat about programs you would like to see at the Library this year. Earn 1.5 volunteer hours and a chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card!
Snacks provided.
Drop-in.
Local Author Book Fair
Friday, October 23, 1:00-4:00pm
Saturday, October 24, 1:00–4:00pm
 
Join us for our third annual Local Author Book Fair. The fair takes place on all levels of the Library, showcasing a wide range of genres and gives the public a chance to get to know the authors, purchase their books and win fun prizes!
Local Author Book Fair
Submission deadline: Friday, October 23
Write @ Your Library - Contest Guidelines
Write @ Your Library Contest: Call for Submissions
Are you a young writer with a story to tell? The 2026 Write @ Your Library creative writing contest is seeking submissions of short stories, poems, and cover art. Open to students in grades 7 to 12 from across Grey and Bruce Counties. Winning entries will receive cash prizes of up to $100 and will be published in the “Write for 2026” anthology.
 
Guidelines for both the writing and the design contests can be found at public libraries across Grey and Bruce Counties, or you can download them from our website.
Library of Things:
Fall Edition
New to our Library of Things, just in time for back to school, check out Sight Words Flashcards, with packs of cards for children in JK to grade 2.
 
While the weather is nice, there's still time to get out on the trails by borrowing a Grey Sauble Conservation parking pass or an Ontario Parks pass. Make it an opportunity for learning with our Explorer Backpacks, generously donated by Grey Sauble Conservation Authority and Watersheds Canada.
Valuing Ontario Libraries Toolkit (VOLT) 2025
The Results Are In!
 
The Valuing Ontario Libraries Toolkit (VOLT) is a resource that was developed to help libraries across the province measure their impact in our communities. We utilized VOLT to measure the Social Return on Investment (SROI). It reflects an approximate dollar value of benefit that is created for each dollar that is invested in the public library by our funding municipalities.
 
In total, our work with VOLT calculated a value of over 14.24 million dollars a year for our local community. This is a value of $357.89 per resident of Chatsworth, Georgian Bluffs and Owen Sound or $833.31 per household. For every one dollar, our municipal funders provide, there is $8.49 of value delivered by the library to our local communities.
We are excited to share the results of our work with VOLT and hope that data helps to encourage conversations about the value of the library’s programs and services.
Staff Picks: Truth and Reconciliation Day September 30
As we transition from summer vacation into back to school it has us thinking about learning. September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage our patrons to look for displays in the Library throughout the month of September and consider picking up a book (or audiobook) in order to learn  more about the history, culture, language or stories of Canada's Indigenous, Metis and Inuit peoples and to take time to think about what actions we can take to support Truth and Reconciliation in our own lives.

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 - Marie Knapp

Tuesday, September 1: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

The library is pleased to welcome local artist Marie Knapp to the Community Art Exhibit.
Marie has been developing her acrylic painting skills for more than 3 years.  Her love of connecting to nature and her joy of being creative is evident in her artwork.

“I find a sense of peace as I connect with nature. It feels spiritual.  The location of the spot to be painted and subsequently its photograph, would have held a unique sense of meaning for me. There were often places to sit and allow my inner self to connect with the mystery of the earth. You will find most of my paintings include at least two of trees, rocks and water.  I easily  reflect in such venues and I try to bring that state of connection with all life to what I create in my paintings. What comes from within me speaks through my hands art, becoming a means of sharing connection to the spirit of nature with you, the observer.”.

Marie’s art will be on display on the main level until the end of September.

Want to showcase your work at the Library? Apply Now 

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

More Info

Wednesday Word Games and Puzzles

Wednesday, September 16: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Try to solve one of the many word searches, crosswords or Sudoku puzzles the library has to offer. 

Library Main Level.

Drop in. 

Event Type: Adult Learning

More Info

LEGO® Club

Wednesday, September 16: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Grades K-6

Join us on the third Wednesday of the month to bring your LEGO® designs to life! Each month, club participants will be given a different building challenge. What will you build? 

Drop-in.

Event Type: Other Programming for Children

More Info

Grey Bruce Chess Club

Wednesday, September 16: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

The Owen Sound Chess Club invites you to join them for a game of chess. Beginners welcome.

Drop in.

Event Type: Other Programming for Adults

More Info

Drop In Counselling

Thursday, September 17: 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Art Therapy-Informed Support 
August 6 – October 1
FREE • No registration required

Need a place to pause, reflect, and connect?

Join us for a welcoming drop-in group where creativity becomes a tool for conversation, self-expression, and emotional well-being. Each week offers a gentle opportunity to explore stress, life challenges, relationships, and personal growth in a supportive group environment.

No artistic experience is necessary. The focus is on the process—not creating a masterpiece.

What to expect:

  • Guided art-based activities
  • Supportive group discussion
  • Stress reduction and emotional wellness
  • Connection with others in the community
  • All art materials provided

Facilitated by Grey Bruce Art Therapy & Associates 

Open to adults (18+).

Event Type: Other Programming for Adults > Health & Wellness

More Info

Adult Learning Centre
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
Photo of child's hand hold a paintbrush over top of water colour pots, text reads "March Break Art Camp"
Tom Thomson Art Gallery
Palette to Palate: Let’s Go Wild!
Saturday, November 7, 7-10pm
At the Tom Thomson Art Gallery
 
Join us for an evening of fun at this wild-themed event.
More details coming soon!
Tom Thomson Art Gallery
Billy Bishop Museum logo with a paintbrush
Billy Bishop Museum
Unbroken: Honouring Veterans from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation
 
This exhibit commemorates the lives, experiences, and sacrifices of First Nations Veterans from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the Saugeen First Nation. Learn more by visiting the Billy Bishop Museum this September.
Billy Bishop Museum Exhibits
Cartoon image of red sunglasses
Marine & Rail Waterfront Museum
Have you ever walked by the Marine & Rail Waterfront Museum and wondered about the outdoor displays like Caboose #78581, Caoch #4884 and the Ancaster tug boat? Learn more about these artifacts on the Museum's webpage.
Marine & Rail Waterfront Museum

Connect with us
facebook social icon
instagram social icon
youtube social icon

Click here to unsubscribe

Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library
824 1st Ave. W. Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K4
Phone: (519) 376-6623
Can't see this email? Click here to view this message in browser window.
My company logo