News from the Mississippi Mills Public Library – Week of October 22, 2026

From the Mississippi Mills Public Library

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

News, programs and events

Cleaning out the closet? Soon to be done with that Halloween Costume? Tired of your Christmas tree? MMPL is looking for Winnie the Pooh character costumes (Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit, etc.) in adult sizes AND Holiday Trees (pre-lit artificial Classic Christmas or Birch Branch styles). Donations accepted at either branch until November 7. Items will be used for our parade float, celebrating 100 Years of Winnie the Pooh. Thank you!

LEGO Robotics is in full swing! These hands-on STEM programs offer a fantastic opportunity for kids to explore robotics, engineering, and programming in a fun and engaging environment for FREE! With instruction and support from a Steampunk Education instructor, participants will build and program LEGO Spike Kits in one of two fun ways:

• LEGO Sumobots (ages 8+) – kids learn how to build & code robots before facing off in a thrilling robot sumo battle, where the strongest bot wins!
• LEGO Maze Challenge (ages 10+) – kids assemble & code robots to successfully navigate a maze!

Only eight spots are available per session – registration is required and opens 4 weeks in advance of each session. Limit of ONE Sumobot and ONE Maze Challenge per child. This ensures as many different children as possible have the opportunity to participate. NO experience necessary!

You can find the details for all of the remaining sessions here: https://mmpubliclibrary.libcal.com/calendar/

We gratefully acknowledge the Elizabeth Kelly Foundation for their generous financial support, which helps make programs like this possible.

Halloween Storytime – Almonte Branch. Come join us for special Halloween-themed songs and stories on Monday, October 26. Wear your costumes and bring along siblings that are home for the PA Day!

• 10 a.m. – BabyTime (0-12 months)
• 10:45 a.m. – ToddleTime (10-24 months)
• 11:30 a.m. – Storytime (2-6 years)

PD Day Family Drop In – FRANKEN-TOYS! Bring your old toy parts, or sort through our collection of discards and we will make something new and spooktacular! Almonte Branch – Monday, October 26 from 1-3 p.m.

Film in the Afternoon – Almonte Branch on October 28 at 1 p.m. Join us for the rom-com classic, When Harry Met Sally (1989). No registration required. Room capacity is 30 people. Free popcorn!

Goosebumps Book Party! Goosebumps fans, come on down to the Almonte Branch on October 28 from 4:45 – 6 p.m. for a fun afterhours evening of trivia, heated debates and themed snacks! Ages 8+  please register: https://mmpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/4056907

In collaboration with Mill Street Books, the library is delighted to welcome:

• October 29 at 6:30 p.m. – Helen Humphreys
  • Discussing her new book, Summerland, a brilliant and touching memoir about the dreams and desires passed down through three generations of a family. To register: https://mmpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/4075166
• November 12 at 6:30 p.m. - Marina Nema
  • Discussing her novel, Mistress of the Persian Boarding House. Inspired by the life of Marina's paternal grandmother, this novel is a moving portrait of the enduring bonds forged between women who choose each other as family. Registration required: https://mmpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/4078932

Reserve your copy to purchase at Mill Street Books! Place a reserve on a library copy here!

An Evening with the Almonte Storytellers. Join us to explore the art of oral storytelling! Learn what storytelling is and why it’s important from Storyteller and Arts Administrator, Jennifer Cayley. Jennifer’s work as a storyteller has focused on epic material and traditional folk and fairy tales. She has been telling stories, directing performances and growing storytelling as an accepted arts discipline for more than 30 years.

This 45-minute presentation at the Almonte Branch on November 4 at 6:30 p.m., is followed by an open Q&A session. Bring your questions and curiosity! Everyone welcome. For more info and to register: https://mmpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/4077374

Blanket Fort City – Almonte Branch. Young people age 3-7 are invited to visit the library after dark for a special story telling event.  Audiences will be guided to different blanket forts hidden throughout the library for picture books read by teens and tweens. What story is in the bear den fort? What about the mushroom fort? Come discover and find out!

Registration required for one of two sessions on November 6 at 5 or 6 p.m.: https://mmpubliclibrary.libcal.com/calendar/mmplcalendar

Participants must attend with an adult, though ready to sit and listen without their adult in a fort with them. Accompanying younger siblings are welcome to stay and explore the children’s section of the library. Any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the program coordinator at epearlman@mmpubliclibrary.ca.

Registration is now open for our festive November workshops! Unwrap your creativity this holiday season! Registration is officially live for our hands-on Festive Workshop Series at the Pakenham branch Makerspace.  These fun sessions are the perfect way to make personalized holiday decor, handmade gifts, and special keepsakes. Every workshop is completely free for library card holders and no prior experience is needed. All tools and supplies are provided by the library, but spots fill up fast!

November workshop lineup:

• Pop-out postcards – a wooden postcard that doubles as a holiday ornament
• Window clings – transform your windows into a winder wonderland
• Advent ornaments – count down the days to Christmas with a custom ornament
• Gift tags – make your holiday gifts extra special
• Family ornaments – celebrate the ones you love most
• Photo album ornaments – turn your favourite holiday memories into a tiny wearable ornament
• Applique ornaments – stitch something cute for your tree
• 3D wooden animal ornament – a charming workshop just for youth ages 10-18

To view all of the workshop details and to secure your spot, visit: https://mmpubliclibrary.libcal.com/calendar/mmplcalendar

Fancy yourself a Dog Man fan? Test your knowledge at the Pakenham Branch on Friday, November 13 from 5-6:30 p.m. Come to this fun afterhours event to snack, draw, and play some friendly trivia! Please register (ages 6+): https://mmpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/4083294

The next Dog Man book of the series is set to be released in November! Get your name on the waiting list for when it hits the library’s shelves: https://missmills.bibliocommons.com/v2/search

Diane Major at the Corridor Gallery, October 12 – December 5, 2026. The Corridor Gallery at the Almonte Library branch is pleased to present work by Valley resident Diane Major. Diane has created portraits her entire life. Her work is found in collections around the globe. Over time, Diane had occasion to create portraits of a broad spectrum of subjects, amongst them a young Rinpoche in Kathmandu, an art student in university, a member of the Rheostatics, a drummer from the UK. And dogs. Lots of dogs.  A portion of sales during this exhibition will go to the library.

It’s Ontario Public Library Week, October 18-24! This year’s theme, Loud for Libraries, creates space for reflection, conversation, and visible, collective support for public libraries and the communities they serve. It recognizes that advocacy can take many forms, and that every voice plays a role in shaping strong, responsive library services. Loud for Libraries also challenges long-standing perceptions of libraries as quiet, passive spaces. While libraries continue to offer spaces for reading, learning, and reflection, they are also vibrant community hubs for dialogue, creativity, connection, and civic participation. The theme reinforces the idea that libraries are not only places to visit, but institutions worth speaking up for!

Join us as we get loud and make a word cloud! The interactive project takes shape with each new entry. We invite you to participate at the library, or from home. Go to www.menti.com and enter the access code 5138 9336 (no account necessary) to tell us your favourite library thing!