Due to the worsening winter storm, we have closed all locations as of 5:00pm today (Monday, Dec. 29). Stay safe out there, Barrie! ❄️

🎄 ’Twas the night before Christmas, all quiet and still, No children in the library, not a sound or a thrill. Snuggled in his stocking, Norbert waits with delight, Well cared for and cozy while closed Christmas night. 📚 The library will be closed all day on Christmas Day & Boxing Day

📚 It’s official! Barrie City Council has approved a new community library at 420 Leacock Drive — the future Letitia Heights Branch. Renovations on the space are expected to begin early next spring, with an anticipated opening to the public in the fall. 👉 Read more: https://bit.ly/48VG9dH

Honour a loved one while giving back to a space that brings our community together. With BPL’s Holiday Giving Tree, your donation becomes a heartfelt dedication-written on an ornament & shared on our Tree!🎄 Visit us in-branch or visit https://bit.ly/4q8Pki3 to donate!

📢 Just a friendly reminder that all BPL locations will be closed on Tuesday, December 2 for staff development. We look forward to welcoming you back when we reopen with regular hours on Wednesday, December 3.

Need a spot to catch up, reconnect, or relax? 📔☕💻 Swing by your local BPL, grab a comfy seat, settle in, and enjoy some time for yourself!

Only 20 days to go until our Local Author Book Market!

🚨 Construction fencing is blocking the sidewalk along Owen St until Wed. morning. The Express Pick-Up Window & Book Drop are inaccessible, as well as the regular route to enter the library. The library remains open and accessible from Worsley Street. Read more: www.barrielibrary.ca/about-bpl/li...

Are you passionate about literacy, community, and the power of public libraries? The City of Barrie is accepting applications for a citizen-member position on the #Barrie Public Library Board — now’s your chance to make a meaningful impact! ✨ Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ozRWVM

Happy National Philanthropy Day!💙 To every individual who supports BPL in their own way: thank you. Your generosity fuels learning, connection, and opportunity across our city.🌱 ✨Read Bruce’s full story on our website: https://bit.ly/4r5V9ye✨

Did your child’s report card show they need extra help? Why pay for a tutor when you can get FREE online tutoring with a professional?! Learn more: https://bit.ly/4nLxwI5 Use your BPL card for free access to Brainfuse HelpNow! Live tutoring, homework help, study tools & more.

Feeling the time-change slump?☀️ Bring back the brightness with a HappyLight! 🔆 Light therapy can boost your mood, energy, and focus during darker days. Place one on hold online or pick one up at any Barrie Public Library location.

Make us part of your autumn routine and explore seasonal reads, programs, and events that bring a warm and fuzzy feeling to the crisp Fall air🍂 Stay in the loop! Be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter here https://bit.ly/47K8nZz

Catch us here on CTV Barrie to see how we're cheering on the Blue Jays! 💙🧢⚾ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H29NCVJdes #gojaysgo #BlueJays #WorldSeries

That’s a wrap! 🎉 Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for the Simcoe Reads Finale! We’re so proud of our champ Brett Glover for defending Our Crumbling Foundation 🏆 Catch the recap on our FB page! #SimcoeReads #OurCrumblingFoundation

We couldn’t have done it without you! 💙 Thank you to our dignitaries, volunteers, staff, and community for making Ontario Public Library Week one to remember. Your support keeps our story going and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings. 📖✨ #OPLW #ontariopubliclibraryweek #Barrie #BPL

🥌 Sweep into the Southshore Centre on Nov. 17 for an unforgettable night with Canadian curling legend & author Jennifer Jones! Hear stories that rock the house as she talks about her memoir "Rock Star: My Life On and Off The Ice" 🥌 Register for free tickets: barrielibrary.libnet.info/event/14854167

Meetings are better with a view like this!🍁 Book a room and get inspired. 🔗#LinkinBio for more information. 📸 Oro Lions Room [Downtown Branch]

Learn simple ways to help aging loved ones stay strong, independent & safe at home! Join Occupational Therapist Heather & Lauren from North Simcoe Muskoka Geriatric Services on Thurs, Oct 16 | 10:30–11:30am | Painswick Branch for practical tips on aging well. 🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4nUomK

🏅 We’re thrilled to celebrate 9 Barrie Public Library volunteers recognized at the Province’s Volunteer Service Awards! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to BPL!🧡

🦃🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from your library family!💛 We’re thankful for our readers, community, volunteers, staff & the stories that connect us.📚💬 All branches closed today, reopening tomorrow. #Thanksgiving #Thankful #BPL

💡 Curious & creative? 🤝 Love connecting with others? 🎮 Enjoy working with kids & teens? Then this could be the perfect part-time job for you! Join us as a Community Engagement Assistant — apply by Oct 12, 2025! 📧 Send your resume to [email protected]

📣 Local authors — applications are open for our 2025 Local Author Book Market (Dec 6)! We’re looking for diverse voices, genres & new participants. Share your story and connect with local readers! Apply here 👉 https://bit.ly/3IYEwDf #BarrieLibrary #LocalAuthors #BookMarket

🧶 Try something new! Join our Knitting Circle at the Downtown Branch, Oct 9 from 1:30–2:30 p.m. All ages welcome — bring your project, share tips, and enjoy some cozy social time. 🧵✨ For more info visit https://bit.ly/3WrJICy

📚 The Simcoe Reads grand finale is Oct 23, 6:30pm at the Gibson Centre! ☑️ BPL’s pick: Our Crumbling Foundation by Gregor Craigie, championed by Brett Glover—an eye-opening look at Canada’s housing crisis with real solutions.

On October 3rd, he asked what day it was. We said: the perfect day to get a library card! 😏👉💳📚💅💖✨ #OPLM #OntarioPublicLibraryMonth #LibraryLove #SupportYourLocalLibrary #MeanGirls #Oct3 #LibraryCard

🚨 From Tuesday, Oct. 7 to Friday, Oct. 10, Painswick will only be accessible from Big Bay Point Rd. due to a road closure on Dean Ave between Russell Hill Dr and Painswick’s driveway. A water shutoff will result in a library closure on Thursday or Friday; we will share the date as soon as we hear.

October is Ontario Public Library Month! 📚 Libraries are more than books—they’re hubs for learning, connection, and inspiration. From new hobbies to family history to a quiet place to reflect, your library is here for you. What’s your favourite thing about your library? #OPLM #PublicLibraries

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time to honour survivors and their families and remember the legacy of residential schools. Join us at the Spirit Catcher 9am–1pm to read, learn, and reflect together. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4mykMUI

📢 New to BPL: Borrow a MacLaren Art Centre Family Membership! Enjoy exhibitions, Family Sundays (4 kids + 2 adults), tours & talks, plus 10% off classes + shop. Loan: 1 week. Details 👉 https://bit.ly/4ne70aZ

If your child needs a refresh in a subject before they get too far into coursework, we have just the thing for you. And guess what? It's FREE! Grab your BPL card for free access to Brainfuse. It offers live online tutoring, homework help, practice tests, and more. Get started: https://bit.ly/4nnkBNm

⚠️Service Alert⚠️ CloudLibrary maintenance will be taking place tomorrow beginning at 1am, which may last 6+ hours. During this maintenance window, patrons will not be able to authenticate or borrow new materials. Patrons already logged in will still be able to access materials previously downloaded.

🎉 That’s a wrap on Summer Reading Club! 🚀 Congrats to our prize winners & thank you to everyone who joined the fun. 💙 Whether you hit your goals, tried something new, or made a friend—we’re so glad you spent your summer with us. 📚☀️

Join in on all the fun and celebrate Culture Days & Doors Open Barrie with us, at the BPL! Explore something new, meet a local artist, and be sure to leave your mark with these amazingly curated events and programs made just for you! For more details, please visit https://bit.ly/469Jo1a

✨New at BPL!✨ Borrow a ROM pass with your library card for 1 week & enjoy general admission for you + 3 guests! 🏛️🎉 Grab & Go at any branch or place a hold downtown. Start planning your ROM adventure today—visit https://bit.ly/3VUuDJA

Culture days starts tomorrow! 🎉 Drop by any library location and grab a Culture Days brochure to see what’s going on around Barrie!

Staff field trip at Whitehots! Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes, coming soon!

Nearly 300 entries! 🎨🖍️Congrats to our 3 Grand Prize winners who each took home a $100 Tims Card for their colourful contributions to the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival Colouring Contest. Thanks to all who joined & to @timhortonsofficial.bsky.social☕🍩

I’ll be at #comicfest this Saturday at the @barrielibrary.bsky.social !! Hope to see you there 🥰 #kellyandersonart #illustration #comicart

Only 3 more days until #ComicFest!! Join us at our downtown location from 10am - 3pm and discover local vendors, cosplayers, artists and more💥

We had a fabulous Learn to Paddle session last night! Participants enjoyed a gorgeous night on Kempenfelt Bay getting an intro to dragon boating. Thanks to @timhortonsofficial.bsky.social for making these sessions possible. Learn more: bit.ly/40m2yxn

📢 On Friday, June 6, @cityofbarrie.bsky.social is closing Owen St. between McDonald and Collier, including closing the intersection at Worsley and Owen. Downtown will remain open but there will be no drive-up access to the book drop and Express Pickup window. Learn more: tinyurl.com/OwenClosure

Last week, a library superfan brought her niece in to get her first library card. She threw a party for her and even decorated a cake to look like one of our My Own Library Cards 😍 We're declaring her Auntie of the Year! There's nothing better than passing on a love of reading and libraries ❤️

You showed up, Barrie! ❤️ Our third annual BIG Spring Book Sale raised $4,200 to support the library's Creative Spaces. Thank you to everyone who donated materials for the sale, volunteered their time, or shopped the event. Read more: tinyurl.com/52e6nsvm

Daisy Duck laid her eggs on Barrie Public Library's roof again www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/video... For more than a decade, Daisy has laid her eggs on Barrie's public library roof knowing a kind staff member will carry them to the waterfront when it's time.

Day 1 of BPL’s BIG Spring Book Sale was a HUGE success! 🎉 Thank you Barrie. ❤️ The sale continues this weekend at the Downtown Library (60 Worsley St.). Drop by on tomorrow (10 am - 4 pm) and Sunday (10 am - 12 pm). ‼️ Stock is running low, so stay tuned for any updates about sale times.

Join us at the Painswick Library’s Repair Café on Saturday, June 14, from 10:00 am–1:00 pm and get help fixing your household items for free. ♻️🔧 Register for a time slot (10–11:30 am OR 11:30 am–1 pm) on our Events Calendar: tinyurl.com/23ehtznr. Drop-ins will be first-come, first-served.

Limited spots remain for FamilySearch, a free 6-week family history course! Gather family history, learn new research skills, and build your family tree 🌳 🗓️ Mondays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & July 7 ⏰ 10-11:30am 📍 Downtown Register here: bit.ly/42PrJZL #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #FamilySearch

What a night we had last night! Sending a big congratulations to Ferndale Woods for winning the 2025 Battle of the Books Grand Battle. We already can't wait for next year 😀 🥇 Ferndale Woods 🥈 Trillium Woods 🥉 Codrington 🏅 Assikinack #BattleOfTheBooks #ReadMoreBooks

Our Craft Supply Swap is tomorrow! Keep your unused materials out of landfills, help others save money, and freshen up your craft cupboard by swapping your old supplies for new ones. 🗓️ Saturday, May 10, 2-4pm 📍 Downtown Library (60 Worsley St.) Learn more: barrielibrary.libnet.info/event/12838207