Kitchener Public Library

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. On this day we take time to honour the victims, Survivors and loved ones that were impacted by residential schools.

To help you learn more, we've put together a collection of reading lists, programs and digital resources on our blog.

Read our blog: https://www.kpl.org/your-library/blogs/all-blogs/blogs/~496-honouring-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation

Last week the Tri-City Synthesizer Society was at Central Library as part of our Culture Days celebrations with City of Kitchener!

It was a great evening of musical exploration in Heffner Studio. Thanks to Tri-City Synthesizer Society for this fun hands-on workshop!

Last year we worked with Bird Friendly Kitchener to make improvements at Central Library to prevent species loss. Over the course of two weekends, volunteers installed "bird collision deterrent markers" to the glass windows looking onto our courtyard. These spots on the glass help birds steer clear of the windows.

Want to learn what you can do to help? Join us on Thursday, October 8 at 6 p.m.!

We're showing two short documentary films, followed by a discussion with Bird Friendly Kitchener and Fatal Light Awareness Program Canada about what actions you can take to help our avian friends.

For details and to register visit https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=348098

When life's expensive, a library card is a great thing to have your wallet.

You get access to tons of free resources, including these upcoming financial literacy programs:

✅ Understanding Crypto
📅 Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m.

✅ Make Your Money Work for You
📅 Thursday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m.

✅ Making Smart Investment Decisions
📅 Monday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Learn more and register for one of these programs: https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/series?sn=Financial+Literacy

It's hard to believe that it's been almost a month since Melissa Auf der Maur visited Central Library!

It was an amazing way to kick off our fall season of Signature Programs, and there's more coming your way!

Free tickets are now available for:

📘 Catherine Leroux: Republic of Glass
📅 Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m.

🎬 Adam Nayman: The Shining Revisited
📅 Monday, October 5 at 7 p.m.

📙 Chris Banks and Tanis MacDonald: Poetry of Survival and Joy
📅 Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m.

👻 Mark Leslie: Haunted Histories of Ontario
📅 Wednesday, October 21 at 7 p.m.

Get your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/kitchener-public-library-events-31398353651

Rest in peace, Otis 🦢

In honour of his memory, we're sharing a vintage photo of Victoria Park from the Grace Schmidt Room of Local History.

This photo dates back to the 1910s and shows a lone swan swimming in the lake.

Swans have been part of Victoria Park for over 100 years, but none have been as iconic and beloved as Otis.

Check out three different decades of Central Library!

It's amazing to see how much has changed over the years in the Reading Lounge.

Whether it's the 1960s or 2026, it's still one of the best places to relax and get lost in a good book!

Have you heard of Culture Days?

It's a celebration of arts and culture across Canada from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, October 4. There's lots of fun activities happening all across Kitchener!

We're running lots of run programs including:

✅ Indigenous Cooking and Food Traditions with Chef Destiny
✅ Q***r History by Button Making
✅ Intro to Comic Book Making for Tweens with Homer Watson House & Gallery
✅ Tales from the Motherland with Aunty Didi

Check out the full schedule and register: https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/series?sn=culture+days

We're excited to welcome LenJo Bakes as the new operator of the cafe at Central Library!

The LenJo Bakes x KPL cafe is open:

Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

If you haven't had a chance to stop by yet, today is a great day for a coffee and yummy treat! They also serve light lunches from The Three Wellness and more!