East Gwillimbury Public Library
19513 Yonge Street Holland Landing, ON, Canada

The holidays are upon us and our hours look a little different this weekend! Both branches will have the following hours: Friday, April 2: CLOSED Saturday, April 3: Open 10am-3pm... Our dropboxes will still be open 24/7 for your returns, and our Digital Library is always there for your needs! We wish you have a safe and wonderful long weekend, from your team at the library!

The East Gwillimbury Public Library is currently looking for a Customer Service Specialist! Do you want to join our fantastic team at EGPL? Check out the full job posting at http://ow.ly/gi0A50EkP5Z

Did you notice anything different about your Libby app today? Overdrive added some great new features to make it easier to find and organize ebooks and eaudiobooks. There are some fun design features for you to customize your Libby app, too! Looking for one-on-one help with e-Reading? Book a free tech help appointment and we'll get you started! Visit https://www.egpl.ca/services/one-on-one-tech-help/ to sign up. #libby #ereads #eaudiobooks

Everyone knows that Christ Church Cathedral has been serving the spiritual needs of Holland Landing since the 1840’s. But did you know that there was an archeological dig for a time capsule that was placed there in 1843? You can read all about this fascinating slice of local history on our blog! You can find it here: https://bit.ly/2RoeMoR.

Spring at last! Today's story is about Sophie waiting and waiting for Spring's delights to arrive. We hope you get out and enjoy them! Go behind the scenes of Storytime and learn more about what's happening at your Library at our new blog at egplblog.com. #storytime #springtime

We have another full week ahead at the library! Check out this week's program roundup to see everything going on. For more information on programs and events, please visit egpl.ca

Wondering how, when and where to book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment in York Region? Watch this explainer video and feel confident about booking for yourself or a loved one. We're here to help! You can call us during open hours and we would be happy to answer your questions or help you with the booking process. Our number is (905) 836-6492. Today's hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. #yorkregionvaccine #covid19vaccine #ontario #vaccinebooking

Do you need assistance with your taxes for 2020? Then the library can help! If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, you may qualify to get your tax returns done for you at no charge. The Library is currently offering a modified Tax Preparation Assistance program for 2020. You must have under $35,000 worth of income if you are a single person, or $45,000 for a couple, or $45,000 for a single parent with one child. Registration is required as space is limited. Please contact the Library for more information or if you would like to register.

This week's program roundup is a busy one, with not only a very full Tuesday but our Virtual Escape Room launching on Saturday! For more info and to learn how to register, visit egpl.ca

Do you and your little astronaut want to explore space from the comfort of home? Well, now you can! Themed book bundles are back by popular demand. Your little ones will keep up with their reading during the April Break! Please note that are only limited quantities available at both branches. Pick-up begins on April 10th. For more information and to register for your bundle, please email [email protected].

Have you ever wondered about the house which is located in between the Anglican church and the United Church in Sharon? This was a building that was owned by the church for the longest time before it was purchased by a member of the Children of Peace. Then it was owned by Peter Rowan who was a farmer, blacksmith, wheelwright, and carriage maker. Want to know more? Check out our blog at https://bit.ly/3solSqV to learn about this historic house! [Photo credit: Pencil drawing from the East Gwillimbury Historical Society publication, September 1993].

Today's story is is an affirmation for children everywhere to believe in themselves - enjoy I Believe I Can by Grace Byers. Looking for more storytimes and other virtual activities? Find them on our Stay at Home Library page at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/. Take a peek behind the scenes of our programs and check out what's new at our new blog, Behind the Desk. Start following and reading at https://www.egplblog.com/.... #ibelieveican #storytime

As of Monday December 14th, York Region will be designated a lockdown zone in the provinces COVID-19 framework, so what does that mean for your next Library visit? Both of our branches will be open for our regular hours. You will still be able to come into the branch to pick up your holds, use the computers, use the photocopier, and drop off your returns. Our drop boxes are also open 24/7 for your returns. As of Tuesday, browsing inside the Library will be restricted, but ou...r collections can be available for browsing online through our catalogue at catalogue.egpl.ca. This is also a great time to download the new East Gwillimbury Library App, available on the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store. You can also take advantage of curbside service, and our new mobile printing service to get your books and printing ready remotely. We will be posting more information next week showing all the ways we are putting safety for our staff and our community first as we get closer to the holiday season.

The library would like to remind you that there is still plenty of time to enter our card design contest! There are two different design categories for our contest: one for children and one for adults. As such, we encourage anyone from East Gwillimbury to submit an entry for our contest. Winning entries will be determined based on creativity, as well as how well the card design fits with our theme of Love your Library. You can create a physical design and drop it off (along... with an entry form) at one of our two branches. But if digital art is more your style, you can draw your submission on your computer and send it to the library at [email protected]. Here is an example drawn by one of our librarians to inspire you, using Microsoft Paint. The title of this card is Libraries Color Your World. Please send us your drawings by December 15th. Good luck, and happy drawing!

Looking for ways to give back to those in need this holiday season? While our Food Pantry will not be running in December, there are many opportunities to support families in need. One we would like to highlight today is the Town of East Gwillimbury's Holiday Gift Card Drive. If you or a family you know are in need this holiday season, please call the Town office (905-478-4282 x 1276) and speak with Gina Casey in the Mayor & Council Office. Any information given will be kept ...in the strictest confidence. Looking for other opportunities to support visit http://www.eastgwillimbury.ca//Donating_this_Holiday_Seaso for a full list of community organizations active this holiday season. We will resume the East Gwillimbury Food Pantry in January 2021 to continue supporting those in the community experiencing food scarcity.

It's getting darker each evening, but it's fun to walk outside with a grown-up at night! Today's story is Night Walk by Sara O'Leary. After your night walk, wind down with another storytime - there are many to choose from on our Stay at Home Library Page at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/. #100booksbeforekindergarten #storytimeonline

Whether you are an experienced writer or just starting, this writing workshop will create an atmosphere of exploration and validation. The workshop is based on the Amherst Writers and Artists method which ensures all writers are valued and affirmed in a supportive community. Come put your voice on the page and share the joy of writing with others! We will write together to prompts, share our fresh writing aloud (always optional) and receive supportive feedback on what was strong. Tuesday, November 24 at 10:30 am. Facilitated by Carol Teal. Email [email protected] to register.

A little library you know and love will be making its budget presentation at 11am today! Tune in to the livestream to see all the great work we have been up to, and what our plans are for the coming year!

Have you been keeping up with all the recent updates on superhero, Marvel and Disney movies and shows? Get excited for all the new content by taking on this week's superhero trivia! Remember to save the link at the end to see where you rank among the others. Good luck! https://bit.ly/345JCpH

Mobile Printing is here! It is now easier than ever to use the library. Want to print a file from your device? Email it to us at [email protected] (Holland Landing) or [email protected] (Mount Albert) with your name attached to the email. Once you are ready to pick up your file, visit the branch and either drop in, or give us a call to get your file ready (normal printing charges apply). You control when you pick up your items, so why not place some books or movies on hold for c...urbside pickup at the same time! For more information and to find out what you can print with Mobile Printing, visit egpl.ca.

We interrupt this Tech Help Tip to bring you a special announcement on a new remote printing service! #makeprintingeasier #libraryservices #curbsidepickup

We just cannot believe that it is almost time for winter break from school! To mark this milestone, we have decided for our local history highlight should showcase one of the oldest schools in East Gwillimbury: S.S. no. 6, over in the small hamlet of Holt. The hamlet of Holt was originally known as Eastville, which started to be settled in the 1830’s. The school that was for the children of Holt was built on the northwest corner of Mount Albert Road and Concession 7. By the 1...870’s, the school had moved over to the east side of lot 13, concession 6, and looking out onto concession 7. Later, the school was noted for being an old frame building, enlarged to meet legal requirements, not well furnished according to later ideas, but very comfortable. The teacher is George Welsh. The attendance averages 30. (Adam, Mulvaney & Robinson, 1885, page 178). In the 1900’s, there arose disputes about where a new school should be built in the community. Eventually, they were resolved in 1907, and a new school was built on lot 11, concession 7 by Wesley Woodcock. The next year, the new school officially opened, when the cost of building and furnishing the school was approximately $2000. Some of the teachers at this school were Jim Lawson, Etta Wilson, and Eva Watts. Today, the school is still located north of Mount Albert Road, and it has since been converted into a private residence. If you have any fond memories of this school, please let us know in the comments we would love to hear your stories!

Join us for a live storytime with local author Jill Javelosa-Alvarez! Jill is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with a strong educational, background and years of experience in working with children, families, and early learning professionals. In this storytime, families will sing songs, read stories, and learn key lessons surrounding early literacy strategies. Register by November 26 by emailing [email protected]

As York Region is now in the Control - Red Zone of the province's COVID-19 response, we want to share with you all the ways we are working to keep the community safe. To see the full list of measures, visit https://bit.ly/35ENTBs

We've got another holiday storytime for you with The Christmas Fox by Anik McGrory. Snuggle in with more storytimes and great activities on our Stay at Home Library page: https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/ #christmasfox #holidays #storytime

Looking for virtual Halloween fun? Tour a haunted space, play a spooky game, or try our Pokemon Scavenger Hunt - watch this video to see how! If you need help with your device, we offer 1:1 tech help appointments for free. Sign up at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-libr/one-on-one-tech-help/. Links in this video:... CBC Kids Halloween https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/games/halloween-chain Queen Mary Google Earth Tour https://earth.google.com//data=ClEaTxJJCiUweDgwZGQzMGQ4OWM EGPL Pokemon Scavenger Hunt https://www.egpl.ca//uploads/2020/10/Pokemon-Hunt-Instruct Paris Catacombs Virtual Tour https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/visite-virtuelle/ #virtualhalloween #techhelp

Enjoy Macca the Alpaca by Matt Cosgrove today! More storytimes, craft ideas and activities are at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/. #100booksbeforekindergarten #storytime #maccathealpaca

*Time Corrected* This week we have a full set of programs, including Intro to Creative Writing and a special Live Storytime with Jill Javelosa-Alverez. Friday is also the first day to pick up your Book Advent Calendars! So much and more is available at egpl.ca

Look at us: we have Minecraft! We are thrilled to show off our server world that is open to all users in East Gwilllimbury aged 6 12. In this introductory video, we are going to show you some of the structures that we have built, and do some live building as well! If you want access to the library’s server, email [email protected] to register for the program and to receive the Minecraft Code of Conduct for EGPL.

We've got more good news! Come to the library during Ontario Public Library Week to pick up a Love Your Library Bag. Each bag includes a DIY watercolour bookmark, a free book, a vintage EGPL button, and info on our library card design contest Visit egpl.ca to stay up to date on OPL Week fun.

This is your last week to take part in our Online Scavenger Hunt, which closes on October 31st! Don't miss out on your chance to win our Scavenger Hunt Grand Prize! After searching all day for good Halloween costumes for the Halloween festival, it seems that one of Ash Ketchum's Pokemon has gotten lost! We think that Team Rocket is up to no good. Can you help him out? Find all the hidden Pokeballs on our website (www.egpl.ca) to help find the missing Pokemon by spelling its name. Here is a free hint: We think we saw a pokeball near our Program Guides!!!

Did you know that you can borrow movies with your Hoopla account? Binge on great films this weekend and take on our trivia quiz! Remember to save the link at the end for your score. Good luck https://bit.ly/3lU2XAI

We wish to remind patrons that the library still offers curbside pickup by appointment. You can continue to place holds through our library catalogue, or fill out the Curbside Pickup Form to have librarians pick a variety of materials for you to enjoy at home. Materials can be picked up during library hours, which are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 8 pm, and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am 3pm. But you know what else is also perfect for curbside pickup? The Hoopla platform! Using it is very easy simply download the hoopla app or go to hoopladigital.com. Then you log in with your library card number and password. Then simply borrow and enjoy thousands of titles worth of content! Enjoy reading at your convenience with Hoopla today!

Just in time for Halloween! Learn how to create a pressure plate switch with the library's Makey Makey kits to make your house a bit spookier Makey Makey 1: https://www.facebook.com/eastgwillimburylibrary/videos/317874349398298/ Makey Makey 2: https://www.facebook.com/eastgwillimburylibrary/videos/1220697948290039/

In the early days of East Gwillimbury, given the long travel times and how difficult it was going up and down Yonge Street, people needed places to eat and drink, and to rest after their long journeys. Many hotels sprung up around Ontario during this time. One such location that is still around in Holland Landing is the McClure Hotel. This building was originally built in 1840 from red brick and English brick bond. After a fire occurred in 1855, parts were redone in yellow br...ick in the Georgian Revival style (see picture below). James McClure, after whom the building is named, was born in Ireland about 1820, and purchased the property from Arthur McMaster in 1868. McClure was an innkeeper; according to the 1861 census of Canada West, he owned 2 cows, 2 pigs, and 1 carriage for pleasure. The livestock was valued at $140 and the carriage at $100. This hotel had two floors: the lower floor contained a dining room, sitting room and parlour as well as a front office; the upper floor had two small overnight rooms facing the street and a ballroom that was used for dancing. The building functioned as a hotel and saloon from 1868 until 1901, when it was purchased and converted into a home by Isaac Dollery. The building has been used for residential purposes ever since. You can still see it today, located at 19374 Yonge Street on the right side, just before you cross Thompson on the road to Bradford. [Photo from Gladys Rolling, East Gwillimbury in the 19th Century, c. 1975]

Ready for some cute Halloween stories with Caroline the Cat? For more storytime videos, activities, and more online fun, visit our Stay at Home Library page at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/. #halloweenstorytime #100booksbeforekindergarten #boo

Today's 100 Books Before Kindergarten story is Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. Check out more storytimes and activities at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/. #preschool #literacy #100booksbeforekindergarten #FNPLW

This week the library has a lot to offer, with some returning favourites and new programs! Also, our Food Pantry program is running out of Holland Landing Branch, so if you or someone you know is interested, check out egpl.ca

Ontario Public Library Week is coming soon! During Oct 18 - 24 you will be entered to win a Kobo Libra H20 eReader whenever you visit us at the branch, register for a new card, check out a book, or you can email us at [email protected] telling us why you love the library! Stay tuned for more library fun.

Shopping online more frequently? Today's tip offers a few suggestions for keeping your data safe while you shop. We offer Distance Learning Support to help you with school tech - just email [email protected] and we will get back to you ASAP. If you have questions or issues around anything tech-related, we're here for you with 1:1 tech help - sign up at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home.../one-on-one-tech-help/.

Ontario Public Library Week is wrapping up soon and we want to thank everyone who has stopped by the branches to say hello or sent a greeting by email! It's also the perfect opportunity to share some of the numbers we have had so far in the strange year of 2020 (click the image for all the details). Thank you, library lovers!

As we're nearing the end of Ontario Public Library Week, we have to highlight this year's 2020 Write On! winners! We have built a special website to highlight our 2020 Digital Anthology, with an introduction from Mayor Hackson, full text versions of their stories, and videos of the authors reading excerpts! Check it out at https://bit.ly/2Hv6OoV

Have a virtual meeting with the St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Teams! Get your questions answered and see the tricks and talents they all have to offer. You might even see some doggy agility tricks! Presented by St John Ambulance. Saturday October 24 at 10:30 am. To Register, please email [email protected].

In honor of Ontario Public Library Week, we thought we would highlight one of the oldest library buildings in East Gwillimbury, and one that you can still find today (if you know where to look)! Did you know that there used to be a library in Queensville? The library in Queensville opened in about 1890, although we do not know where it was at that time. In her book, Gladys Rolling recounts that there was a shoe shop on Mill Street that was used as a library in 1893, with a ma...n named Wright Fogg as the librarian there. The library was later moved to a tiny building across from the present-day Queensville United Church. That particular building was constructed in 1870, and was used as a drug store, a bank, and a bakery before it was converted into a library. By 1976, the Queensville Branch was housed in a different building on Main Street near the local general store. The Queensville library was later moved to the Queensville community centre and the original library was loaded up onto a flatbed truck and moved to the Sharon Temple, where it is now the gatehouse entrance to that historic site (see picture below). On April 22nd, 1992, the Queensville branch was officially closed. If you come into the library this week, remember to grab your vintage EGPL buttons in the Love your Library bags where we have a picture of this library, as well as the other two libraries that used to be in East Gwillimbury! [Photo Credit(s): Gladys Rolling, East Gwillimbury in the 19th Century, and Johnston House Raising and Moving.]

The East Gwillimbury Gardeners present: What's Up With My Zucchini? Resilient Gardening in an Era of Uncertainty. In this presentation learn about the basic science linking soil, plants, and the climate as well as how to prepare your garden to withstand extremes and more. Tuesday October 20 at 7 pm. To register, please email [email protected] for the Google Meet link.

"Thank you to all the staff and volunteers at the Mount Albert Library (aka my home away from home!). Thank you for making our library a welcoming haven of information, stories and amazing possibilities." -- Community Member email Want to win a Kobo Libra H20 eReader? Email us at [email protected] telling us why you love the library to enter the draw! This contest also includes a scheduled 1:1 Tech Help session to help you set up your Kobo and borrow Library books. ... You also get an entry to the draw when you sign up for a Library card, check items out, or visit us in a branch! #oplw #kobo #librarylove

Slightly delayed due to a bit too much turkey, but here is our weekly program roundup! Keep in mind our branches are now open, but we are also offering Curbside Pickup by appointment! Visit egpl.ca for more details!

#OntarioPublicLibraryWeek continues with another 100 Books Before Kindergarten Storytime. Today's book is What Matters Most by Emma Dodd. Check out more storytimes and activities at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/. #preschool #literacy #100booksbeforekindergarten #FNPLW

Mindful Minutes is an online challenge presented by Town of East Gwillimbury's Community Parks, Recreation and Culture and the Library to help you stay healthy in both body and mind this winter. Mindful Minutes launches tomorrow, but here is a sneak peek of how to sign up through Beanstack! We offer Distance Learning Support to help you with school tech - just email [email protected] and we will get back to you ASAP. If you have questions or issues around anything tech-related, we're here for you with 1:1 tech help - sign up at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home.../one-on-one-tech-help/. #EGMindfulMinutes #OPLW

Today's 100 Books Before Kindergarten story is Roly Poly Pangolin by Anna Dewdney. Check out more storytimes and activities at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/. #preschool #literacy #100booksbeforekindergarten #FNPLW

Ontario Public Library Week celebrates all the great things done by your local library. This year, our fantastic Library Board surprised us with an appreciation video! Thank you to our Library Board for recognizing our staff's efforts so far in 2020! This video was shown to council this morning, and shared with staff just today. We're always happy to support the East Gwillimbury community but seeing them featured like this just gives us the warm and fuzzies. #OPLW #thankyou #OPLW #thankyou

We have a lot to be thankful for this year, but we wanted to highlight a specific member of the community this Thanksgiving. The Holland Landing Food Pantry would like to thank Lisa Blunt and the East Gwillimbury community for their generous donation of well over $1,800. Lisa Blunt has spent much of the past few months sewing masks for anyone interested. With every mask sold, she has set aside a portion of the funds from each mask, often times receiving extra funds to include as part of the donation. To date Lisa has sewn over 800 masks. Thank you so much for your hard work and effort Lisa. The contribution to the Food Pantry will help to keep our residents nourished during these difficult times.

This winter, we are likely going to spend a lot of time indoors. Want to learn a new skill to help pass the time? Then you should check out Artistworks for Libraries! This online resource provides world-class musical instruction through self-paced videos taught by Grammy Award winning artists. Learn how to play the guitar, drums, piano, or even the harmonica! Go to their website at https://www.rbdigital.com/eastgwillimburylibon/ and start learning today!

We have a special storytime today in honour of First Nations Public Library Week! Enjoy Once in a Blue Moon by Danielle Daniel. Check out more storytimes and activities at https://www.egpl.ca/stay-at-home-library/. #preschool #literacy #100booksbeforekindergarten #FNPLW

Getting around in East Gwillimbury used to be very difficult, especially getting to and from Toronto. However, that was made easier with the arrival of the railway, specifically into Mount Albert. Did you know that Mount Albert used to have two different rail stations? The first rail station to come to Mount Albert was in 1877. This was known as Mount Albert East, which was maintained by the Grand Trunk railway, and was known as the Lake Simcoe Special, since it went from Tor...onto to Lake Simcoe. The round-trip fare for taking the train up to Lake Simcoe and back was 30 cents, according to a Newmarket Era bulletin from June 4th 1886. Gladys Rolling (1967) notes that this station was a little west of King Street; a continuation of Main Street ran to the station yard (p. 139). This line changed hands several times, switching to the Midland Railway of Canada (1881); then the Grand Trunk Railway (1884); and finally, to CN (1923). This line was abandoned in 1928. The second rail station was established in 1906 by the Canadian Northern Railway. This station was on the west side of town, located at Princess Street and Highway 48. This is the station that is pictured below; you can see an aerial view of where it was located on a topographic map from 1929. The station was built to a standard Canadian Northern design that was common on this route. Canadian National continued to use the rail up until the 1960s for freight deliveries note the grain elevator located in the background at the left. It stayed in this location until 1977, when it was moved to the Cannington Community Centre where it resides to this day. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a rail station going to Toronto from Mount Albert today too?