News from the Mississippi Mills Public Library – Week of January 28, 2026

From the Mississippi Mills Public Library

Here’s the latest news from the Mississippi Mills Public Library (MMPL).

Programs, news and events

The Pakenham Makerspace is buzzing this February with opportunities to make something uniquely yours!

WORKSHOPS! We have four incredible, customizable projects lined up:

• High-Tech Valentines: Use our Cricut machines to make cards that look professional.
• For the Book Lover: Engrave your own clear acrylic bookmarks.
• Large Slate Coasters: You asked; we listened! One of our most requested workshops is BACK!
• Cozy Crafts: Sew a charming wool-backed bird on one of our sewing machines.

NO experience necessary. Materials provided. FREE with your library card! Register now! Space is limited: https://form.jotform.com/260117801166248  

Beginner training: Start your journey in the Makerspace with a beginner training session. Learn to use the Cricut, X-Tool, or our brand new sewing machines and serger! To register: https://form.jotform.com/260117727586261

Club time: Continue your time in the Makerspace by booking a time to work on your own DIY project. Previous completion of beginner training is required. To register: https://form.jotform.com/260118222501239

YOUTH Makerspace Workshop! Door Handle Signs: A hands-on workshop just for youth makers ages 10 -18 at the Pakenham Makerspace January 31 starting at 10 a.m. Participants will design and create their own custom door-handle signs using our laser cutter, working with wood to make something totally unique for their room door. FREE with a library card.

Limited spots available – Registration required! https://form.jotform.com/260144787302253

February Travelogue: Vietnam Journey from South to North. Join Melody Studholme as she takes you on a journey through Vietnam, from South to North. Experience the beauty of Vietnam from the Mekong to Hanoi, the mountains in the north, and Halong Bay.

February at 7 p.m. – Almonte Branch. Door open at 6:30 p.m. Registration is open: https://form.jotform.com/260214844539257

School is OUT, but seeds are IN! Come join us for a SEEDY PD. Families are welcome to drop in anytime 1-4 p.m. on January 30 at the Almonte Branch for crafts, and activities in collaboration with our Seed Library. Participants of all ages can help decorate and design seed envelopes, learn how to fold origami seed envelopes, sort seeds, make seed mosaics and learn about what is sleeping under the ground.

Call for Seeds! Both branches are accepting donations of seeds for our upcoming seed library in February (stay tuned for the exact date)!

Complete the donation form available at the library or online here: https://tinyurl.com/464ajs54 – one form per variety of seeds – and attach the form to an envelope filled with the saved seeds. Please ensure that the seeds are viable. Commercial and locally harvested seeds are accepted.

For more information about seed saving and our program please visit: https://www.missmillslibrary.com/seed-library/

Cheer on Team Canada! We’re bringing the excitement of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 to MMPL with a Watch Party!

Join us as we present CBC’s broadcast:

• Pakenham Branch, February 10 at 2 p.m. – Women’s Hockey, Canada vs USA
• Almonte Branch, February 19 at 1 p.m. – Women’s Hockey, Gold Medal Game

January 27 was Family Literacy Day! A day that emphasizes the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities as a family. Join a movement of caregivers aiming to read 1,000 books to their little one before they reach kindergarten!

The concept is simple: Read a book (yes, you can repeat your child’s favourites) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. Track the titles with the goal of having read 1,000 books before your kiddo starts kindergarten. You can download reading log sheets here OR come into the library to pick up a special colouring reading log! Every time you reach 100 books, come into the library with your log for a milestone picture and a prize for your little one.

The latest Friends of the Mississippi Mills Public Library Newsletter is out! In this issue you’ll find recaps of the October and December book sales, meet two amazing Friends volunteers, and get an update on Live! @theLibrary events. Read the full newsletter here.

Their Annual General Meeting is at the Almonte branch on February 24 at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

Interested in joining the Friends and supporting the library? It’s easy! Fill out a basic contact form (also available at the library) and pay the $10 annual dues to get started with this dedicated group of volunteers!

Cozy up with a mystery! Libby Lovers, we’re excited to share that the Libby App now offers a NO HOLDS needed collection of over 430 mystery titles. These e-Books are ALWAYS available with no waitlists. Get the Libby app and sign in with your library card to get access!

Prefer the smell of pages? We’ve added MORE books to some well-loved series. Click the links below to see the titles and reserve one today!

• Cara Black‘s Aimee Leduc series: A chic, no-nonsense hacker turned Parisian private investigator hunts down murderers in 20+ mysteries set across Paris
• Andrea Penrose‘s Wrexford & Sloane series: An arrogant aristocratic scientist and an enigmatic satirical artist are a formidable duo solving 10+ diabolical mysteries set in Regency England

Kanopy’s list of the Most Watched Films of 2025! For the complete list visit their site here.

• #1 Film –  Anora  — Available at MMPL on DVD
• #1 Documentary – Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
• #1 TV Series – Blackshore
• #1 World Cinema – The Count of Monte Cristo
• #1 Kids’ Program – Masha and the Bear

New to Kanopy? Kanopy is a FREE, AD-FREE video streaming service, offering thousands of critically acclaimed films, documentaries, classic cinema, international movies, and educational content, including a curated “Kanopy Kids” section, all available to you via your library card. Fine out more on our website here.