Adult Book Club

Pick up a copy of the monthly title at the library.

September 30 - Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
October 28 - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
November 25 - The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman

24 September - The Break by Katherena Vermette
29 October - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
26 November - A Guide for the Perplexed by Dara Horn
Please pick up and return your book at the Info Desk.

September 25 - Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman
October 30 - 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson

September 10 - The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal
October 8 - The Orenda by Joseph Boyden
November 12 - They Shall Inherit the Earth by Morley Callaghan

September 11 - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
October 16 - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
November 13 - Milkman by Anna Burns

September 11 - In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
October 10 - Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
November 14 - Wave: A Memoir by Sonali Deraniyagala

September 30 - Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
October 28 - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
November 25 - The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman

24 September - The Break by Katherena Vermette
29 October - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
26 November - A Guide for the Perplexed by Dara Horn
Please pick up and return your book at the Info Desk.

Amazing Nature

The Amazing Nature Series will bring together lovers of nature and advocates of environmental sustainability. Join us as we hear from gardeners, scientists and environmentalists.

September 23 - Southern Ontario Butterflies
Author and Nature Photojournalist, Jay Cossey, will join us for a presentation full of stunning images of butterflies, moths, and other fascinating insects found in Southern Ontario. Hostplants and butterfly gardens will be discussed. Jay Cossey is the author of Southern Ontario Butterflies and their Natural History.

October 2 - Tending the Earth: How Our Gardens Can Change the World
Author and gardening advocate, Lorraine Johnson, discusses the connection between environmental issues and gardening, as well as how gardens affect every aspect of our society and the communities in which we live. Lorraine Johnson is the author of 100 Easy to Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens, The New Ontario Naturalized Garden and Tending the Earth: A Gardener’s Manifesto

November 11 - How to Improve Biodiversity and Local Food Security in SW Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe
Together with her students, for 30 years York University Biology Professor, Botanist Dr. Dawn Bazely, has studied the forests and grasslands of Ontario’s fertile Carolinian Zone. Come and learn about the importance of your garden for these ecosystems. With Judy Myers, Dawn Bazely is the author of Ecology and Control of Introduced Plants.

Brain Fitness

Want your brain to work smarter and faster? Join us for fun and engaging activities to boost your brain strength and flexibility.

Business Networking Breakfast

Network with other business professionals over breakfast and hear from an engaging speaker, Chris Dudley, Director of Entrepreneurship at Seneca, on the hot topic of Disruptive Innovation.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) Book Club

Discuss books with other parents and caregivers while your baby eats, sleeps or plays. The library will provide a copy of the chosen title.

September 16 - Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
October 21 - An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
November 18 - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Chinese Social Hour

Chat in Chinese about books, current events and life in Canada. Call or visit the Service Desk for more details.

Crash Course in Death & Dying

Join us for 2 weeks of workshops as we dig up the dirt on death & dying. We will discuss wills, advance care planning, and more. Just drop-in.

ESL Café

Newcomers and ESL learners are welcome to practice their English language skills in an informal environment with adult volunteers. Program held in partnership with the Library Settlement Program (LSP) in York Region and Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR). Contact the Service Desk to register and for more information.

ESL Café Volunteers

Volunteer to help newcomers to Canada practice their English language skills in an informal environment. Please contact the library for more details.

French Meetup

Practice your French in good company with a new theme every month!

Sept 25 - Travail | Work
Oct 30 - Boissons | Drinks
Nov 27 - Famille | Family

Headshots for New Professionals

Create a good first impression for your online resume and social media presence. Please dress the way you would like to appear in the headshot.

Holocaust Education Week

Join us during Holocaust Education Week to hear from a variety of speakers. For ages 12+.

What was in the Canadian News? As the Second World War spread across Europe and North Africa, how were newspapers and media covering the events for the public? Using replica copies of articles from Canadian newspapers, employ collaborative learning and historical thinking concepts to discover how the Holocaust was being reported in Canada. Using recorded testimony and images, a child of a Holocaust survivor will narrate their parent's personal experiences of surviving the Holocaust. Deborah Levison's parents survived the brutality of the Holocaust, building a safe life in Canada with their family. However, the veneer of safety was shattered when a mysterious crate was found underneath the family cottage in Muskoka. The contents of that crate forced a second confrontation with unspeakable violence the family thought they had left behind them. Join us for an evening with Deborah Levison, author of The Crate: A Story of War, a Murder, and Justice.

Hot Topics: Dying Well

Join the Home Hospice Association to learn the unique role a death doula plays as we are leaving this world, and how we become called and qualified to offer this most important gift to our dying.

Hot Topics: Human Trafficking

Presented by 360 Kids: a discussion on the various examples of commercialized sex work, and how one may be coerced into sex work.

Hot Topics: Smart Money Students

Worrying about money as a post-secondary student is no fun. Learn how to budget and be smart with your money. Presented by the Canadian Bankers Association.

Hot Topics: The Anthropocene

Human activity on the planet has introduced us to a new geologic age. What is the Anthropocene, how has human impact changed landscapes near and far, and how does it connect to us?

Instagram For Your Business

Learn how to use IG to grow your business. Ages 16 +. Register on Eventbrite.

For ages 16 +

Let's Go to the Movies

More than just a great place to get books, the library is also a fun place to enjoy a film - for free! See you at the show.

Oct 7, 2019 - Rocketman

Oct 12, 2019 - Rocketman

Oct 28, 2019 - Late Night

Nov 2, 2019 - Late Night

Nov 4, 2019 - Yesterday

Nov 9, 2019 - Yesterday

Nov 11, 2019 - Red Joan

Nov 16, 2019 - Red Joan

Nov 18, 2019 - The Art of Racing in the Rain

Nov 23, 2019 - The Art of Racing in the Rain

Nov 25, 2019 - Luce

Nov 30, 2019 - Luce

Let’s Go to the (French) Movies

Great French movies with English subtitles for all to enjoy.
De superbes films en français avec sous-titres anglais pour le plaisir de tous.

Sep 25, 2019 - Le rire de ma mère

Oct 16, 2019 - Le fils de Jean

Nov 13, 2019 - L'étudiante et Monsieur Henri

Make the Most of Your Smartphone

Learn how smartphone apps can make life and daily tasks so much easier.

September 19 - Productivity
November 21 - Shopping

Memory Café

Individuals living with memory loss and their caregivers can socialize and learn about memory related issues. In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of York Region.

September 19 - Keeping our Seniors Safe
York Regional Police will be speaking about the most common frauds and scams that target seniors, general safety and tips to stay safe.

October 17 - Aging and Brain Health
A representative from Alzheimer Society of York Region will be speaking about brain health and aging at this program for seniors and their caregivers concerned about memory loss later in life.

Repair Café

Have you been holding on to an item that just needs a quick fix? Then a Repair Café may be the place for you Hosted by York Region.

Social Hour

Adults are invited to this free program featuring activities, guest speakers and informational workshops.

Sep 9, 2019 - An Introduction to Baroque Music
Patricia Ahern, violinist with the world renowned Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, will lead you through an introduction to Baroque and Classical music. Join us for an informative evening with musical demonstrations.

Sep 19, 2019 - Memory and Aging: Music and the Brain
Whether listening to Beethoven, Bach or Justin Bieber, music has a powerful, therapeutic and visible effect on the Brain. Join us as we talk about how music affects functional brain activity and how it can help in memory, pain reduction, stress relief and brain injuries. Presented by Dr. Claude Alain, Assistant Director and Senior Scientist, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences. Dr Alain is also a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Medical Science and the Department of Psychology.

Oct 7, 2019 - Fine Art: Rembrandt in Black and White
Rembrandt was a great visual artist. Art Historian, Dr Anne Thackray explores Rembrandt’s creativity and expression through his use of prints. The talk will show how he used printmaking techniques to convey significant ideas.

Nov 4, 2019 - New Adventures in Piano Listening
Pianist Dr. Penny Johnson will talk, with musical selections, about the evolution of Piano throughout the centuries and the connection with everyday life and Literature.

Nov 21, 2019 - Make a Will Month: Wills, Trusts, and Estates
November is Make a Will Month and this presentation is a reminder of the importance of having a Will and the many considerations around estate planning Presented by the Ontario Bar Association.

Sep 3, 2019 @ 11am - Bingo and Boardgames Play a couple of rounds of Bingo before moving onto your favourite boardgame, or learning a new one!

Sep 17, 2019 @ 11am - Financial Fraud Susan from Canadian Bankers Association will speak about financial fraud and cover these topics: · Defining financial fraud · Why seniors are at risk · Recognizing financial fraud · Protecting yourself against financial fraud · Getting help

Wednesday, November 6th - Keeping our Seniors Safe
A representative from York Regional Police will be speaking about the most common frauds and scams that target seniors, general safety and tips to stay safe.

Sep 3, 2019 @ 11am - Bingo and Boardgames Play a couple of rounds of Bingo before moving onto your favourite boardgame, or learning a new one!

Sep 17, 2019 @ 11am - Financial Fraud Susan from Canadian Bankers Association will speak about financial fraud and cover these topics: · Defining financial fraud · Why seniors are at risk · Recognizing financial fraud · Protecting yourself against financial fraud · Getting help

Sep 9, 2019 - An Introduction to Baroque Music
Patricia Ahern, violinist with the world renowned Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, will lead you through an introduction to Baroque and Classical music. Join us for an informative evening with musical demonstrations.

Sep 19, 2019 - Memory and Aging: Music and the Brain
Whether listening to Beethoven, Bach or Justin Bieber, music has a powerful, therapeutic and visible effect on the Brain. Join us as we talk about how music affects functional brain activity and how it can help in memory, pain reduction, stress relief and brain injuries. Presented by Dr. Claude Alain, Assistant Director and Senior Scientist, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences. Dr Alain is also a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Medical Science and the Department of Psychology.

Oct 7, 2019 - Fine Art: Rembrandt in Black and White
Rembrandt was a great visual artist. Art Historian, Dr Anne Thackray explores Rembrandt’s creativity and expression through his use of prints. The talk will show how he used printmaking techniques to convey significant ideas.

Nov 4, 2019 - New Adventures in Piano Listening
Pianist Dr. Penny Johnson will talk, with musical selections, about the evolution of Piano throughout the centuries and the connection with everyday life and Literature.

Nov 21, 2019 - Make a Will Month: Wills, Trusts, and Estates
November is Make a Will Month and this presentation is a reminder of the importance of having a Will and the many considerations around estate planning Presented by the Ontario Bar Association.

Study Hall

Need a place to study for exams? VPL's study hall is open late for university students who want to study alone or in small groups. Hours: 9 p.m. to midnight on Mon. - Thurs., 6 to 9 p.m. on Fri., and 5 to 9 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.

Stuff You Forgot From High School

High school might be long gone but the learning never stops. Join us for a refresher on some of your most loved (or hated!) subjects, and learn something new.

September 24 - Probability for the Real World

October 29 - Mythology and its Influence Today

November 26 - The Psychology of Decision Making

Tech Training: eBooks

In this 2-part workshop, topics include: downloading and reading ebooks and eaudiobooks, and navigating and troubleshooting our Overdrive and Hoopla apps.

Tech Training: Introduction to Microsoft Office

Introductory level workshops providing hands-on practice. In partnership with Y-Digital, YMCA of Greater Toronto. Register on Eventbrite.

September 18 - Word
October 16 - Powerpoint
November 20 - Excel

Tech Training: Photo Editing

Learn how to edit and retouch your photos in this multi-part workshop. Ages 13 +.

For ages 13 +

Tech Training: Tech 1-On-1

Get hands-on assistance from volunteers to build skills with computers, tablets and more.

The Learning Series - Music & Memory

Learn about VPL's new Music & Memory service and watch the documentary Alive Inside which illustrates the healing effect of music for those with dementia

Vaping Information Session

As vaping becomes more popular in today's society, the long term health effects still remain unknown.

World Cinema

Calling all film fans! Experience critically acclaimed movies from around the world, with English subtitles.

Sept 8, 2019 - Shoplifters (Japanese, English subtitles)

Oct 6, 2019 - Sicilian Ghost Story (Italian, English subtitles)

Nov 3, 2019 - Transit (German, English subtitles)

Writers' Room

Work with other aspiring writers to explore elements of writing like plot, character, and prose style. Perfect for discussion and feedback.