On behalf of Brampton Library, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to our exciting Summer at the Library for 2024!
Summer is a time to indulge your personal interests and even your guilty pleasures in finding the right books and other materials just for you. Make Brampton Library your companion and join one of our Summer Clubs to keep track of your reading, participate in fun activities, and win prizes!
Registration for all three summer clubs - TD Summer Reading Club (0-12 years), Teen Summer Reading Club (13 - 18 years), and Adult Summer Reading Club (19+ years) opens in all eight branches and online on Monday, June 3rd. Be eligible for early bird prizes when registering for TDSRC and TSRC by July 10th, and keep logging your reading and completing challenges to be eligible for bi-weekly and grand prizes. Check our website for full details.
This year's summer reading program will offer a variety of exciting activities, including a giant planetarium for kids, the popular teen Battle of the Books, and our Adult Summer soiree, after hours at Chinguacousy Branch in the ski Chalet. Each branch will also start off the season with a fun-filled summer launch party for the TD summer Reading Club.
And summer reading is just the beginning! Our award-winning Newcomer Bus Tour is back, ready to help you navigate the city's services and attractions. Discover our Library of Things, featuring summer-ready items from Seasonal Activity Kits to passes for PAMA and Ontario parks! Or try out our new STEM at home-kits for hands-on-fun and learning. If a relaxing night at home is more your style, you can stream a wide selection of movies and tv shows through our Kanopy service.
Join us for a summer of discovery, fun and community at the Brampton Library. We look forward to having you!
Pride month is finally here! It’s a great time of the year to collectively celebrate the diversity and resilience of the 2SLGBTQ+ community! As the temporary Marketing and Communications Assistant at the Brampton Library and a queer person of colour I'm thrilled to share how Brampton Library supports and celebrates Pride, including the wealth of resources we offer here.
Our diverse LGBTQ+ Collection
At Brampton Library, we pride ourselves on our extensive collection of 2SLGBTQ+ literature for your convenience. Our collection ranges from classic queer novels to contemporary works by 2SLGBTQ+ authors—our shelves are filled with stories that reflect the rich tapestry of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re looking for fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, or poetry, we can confidently say there’s something for everyone!
Here are some highlights:
Fiction: Discover compelling stories that explore 2SLGBTQ+ experiences through diverse characters and settings.
Throughout Pride Month, we also host a variety of events and programs created with the hope of educating, entertaining, and bringing our community together. Some of these include:
The Gathering: A program that’s offered to children, youth and families, partnered with Malton Neighborhood Services. It strives to empower black individuals in a positive environment and offers open-discussions, interactive workshops, guest speakers, and educational activities that are aimed to foster a brighter future and encourage a solution-driven process when addressing the discrimination and stigma faced within the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Rainbow Game Night: An adult game night offered at our Cyril Clark location that provides a diverse collection of games to browse from! We promise our guests a safe and inclusive space that’ll allow you to comfortably connect and foster positive connections with other queer and allied individuals within our Brampton community.
Pride Book Club: A virtual book club to connect with queer and allied individuals to discuss promising titles from featured 2SLGBTQ+ authors and a diverse collection of 2SLGBTQ+ focused novels waiting to be discovered.
For those who prefer digital resources, the Brampton Library offers a variety of ebooks, audiobooks, and other online features that are accessible from the comfort of your own home!
As the temporary Marketing and Communications Assistant and a queer person of colour living in Brampton, I’ve found Brampton Library to be a sanctuary and a source of empowerment. Growing up, I often struggled to find representation in the media and literature. Working at Brampton Library has allowed me to not only discover a wealth of resources that resonate with my identity but also to help others find the same connection and understanding.
Being part of the Brampton community, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that access to inclusive resources can have. It’s fulfilling to witness other young readers discover books that reflect their experiences, or community members engaging in meaningful discussions during our events. The library isn’t just a place to borrow books; it’s a hub for learning, connection, and celebration.
Join Us in Celebrating Pride
This Pride Month, we invite you to explore the resources and programs Brampton Library has to offer. Whether you’re looking to educate yourself, find community, or simply enjoy a good book, the library is here to support you. Celebrate with us, and let’s continue to create a more inclusive and understanding community together.
At the heart of our work as a public library lies a commitment to foster understanding, dialogue, and inclusion within our diverse community. That's why we are honoured to host the “Journeys Through Prejudice: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives" project presented by the Canadian Multicultural Heritage Council on Sunday, April 7 at from 2 - 3:30 p.m, at Four Corners Branch Library This initiative delves into the complex issue of discrimination and racism faced by South Asian Canadians, offering a multifaceted exploration through art, lived experiences, and research.
The project includes a free screening of a powerful short film, engaging dialogue with esteemed panelists, and an interactive conversation with participants. Through these components, attendees will gain valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs experienced by South Asian Canadians in the face of prejudice and discrimination.
Central to the event will be the screening of a thought-provoking short film that encapsulates the struggles and resilience of South Asian Canadians. Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with our distinguished guest panelists, Pardeep Singh Nagra and Lalji John.
Meet the Panelists:
Pardeep Singh Nagra brings a wealth of experience and advocacy to the discussion. As the Executive Director of the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada and a Board Trustee of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Pardeep is deeply committed to reconciliation and social justice. His journey, which inspired the production of the Hollywood movie "Tiger," reflects his dedication to sports, community service, and the pursuit of human rights. With numerous accolades recognizing his contributions, including the YMCA Canada Peace Medal and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Pardeep continues to be a leading voice for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Lalji John, Chairman of the Canadian Multicultural Heritage Council, brings decades of experience in community leadership and advocacy. Having immigrated to Canada over 50 years ago, Lalji has played pivotal roles in various non-profit organizations, contributing to the cultural enrichment and empowerment of diverse communities. His vision and dedication have led to the successful implementation of numerous projects, including the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto and the Heritage Sounds Music Festival.
We invite you to join us for this enlightening and thought-provoking program as we delve into the diverse journeys of South Asian Canadians through the lens of prejudice and discrimination. Together, let us embrace dialogue, understanding, and solidarity in our shared pursuit of a more inclusive society. Mark your calendars for April 7th and be part of this transformative experience.
Seeing authors present their works in real time with other fans and book lovers is a magical and unforgettable experience. That’s why we are excited to partner with the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) next week with FREE watch parties in four of our branches.
This year’s FOLD kicks off with virtual programming from April 28 - May 1 before moving to in-person events in downtown Brampton from May 2 - 5. If you’re curious, what better way to learn more than to attend a FOLD x Brampton Library Watch Party?! Crossing genres, themes, and formats, these free in-branch experiences are worth a look:
11 a.m.: Meet the FOLD team at the virtual kick-off
12 p.m: Stay for FREADOM: Authors on Activism
What is the role of writers in a turbulent world? In this conversation with Wildseed Executive Director Jessica Kirk (Moderator), authors Farzana Doctor, Marjorie Beaucage, and Rodney Diverlus discuss the role of authors in times of crisis, including how to balance the work of writing with the demands of political engagement and activism.
Covering an array of genres and styles, authors Natalie Sue, Craig Shreve and Mai Nguyen discuss their most recent novels and the process of crafting an imagined story with incredible plot and characters.
In this panel of memoir writers, authors Tara Sidhoo Fraser, Tania De Rozario and Tessa Hulls discuss the stories behind personal accounts that tackle themes of mental health, grief, disability, and loss. Discover the ideas that influenced three impressive works of creative non-fiction -- each with their own unique format.
12 p.m. Writing Distinct Voices, participants will be seated at tables to facilitate participation
Whether you're writing an epic fantasy, an emotional love story, a suspenseful thriller, a dramatic family saga, or a charming romance, it's important to build characters who are complex and distinct -- characters with unique backstories and personality that provide dimension. In this workshop, writers of all levels explore different ways to enhance character voice through dialogue with author and literary agent Taj McCoy.
The journey of an international student in Canada is full of challenges and opportunities. Canada offers a lot of benefits to people who want to live in this beautiful country.
Adjusting here can be a bit tough due to the high cost of most things and cultural differences. But you will adapt with time. For me to progress in my journey here, I needed to take my IELTS and get good bands. I had to practice all the sections to achieve my target band score.
I researched for the best options available to help me prepare for my IELTS exam, and I found some free resources available with my Brampton Library card, in addition to resources available at the college which at the time were limited due to ongoing Covid 19 precautionary measures being followed by every institution in Canada.
Road to IELTS provides free resources for general and academic tests for people wanting to practice and improve their brands. All you need is a Brampton Library card to access the free resources available at the library.
What I liked about the Road to IELTS is that you get a lot of practice tests to hone your skills. Also, there are various tips and tricks provided by the experts to help you get better bands.
You can build your portfolio for jobs by learning new skills, by attending free programs or creating something of your own. Brampton Library offers free equipment with your library card, such as bird-watching kits, board games, GoPro kits, PAMA passes, Ontario Parks and more.