We offer a variety of literacy based programming for children of all ages throughout the year. Our goal is to inspire a love of reading in young children while having fun!
Kids and their caregivers are invited to join us for Storytimes at the Library! We’ll have stories, rhymes, and a craft. During the school year, Storytime locations and times are as follows:
Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. – North Branch Library (232C Northern Avenue E.)
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. – James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.)
Fridays at 10:00 a.m. – James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.)
All Storytimes are free drop-in programs, with no registration required. Join us for Storytime fun!
Children will explore stories and learning activities that encourage them along a life-long path of reading and learning.
This program is for children ages 30-48 months. Parents will wait outside the classroom while 2 instructors help children explore stories and learning activities that encourage them along a life-long path of reading and learning. We start with 20 minutes of play centres, then storytime. A craft and a snack is provided. Parents join in for parachute fun for the last 10 minutes.
All children will have opportunities to engage in activities that focus on pre-reading, numeracy, and socialization.
Registration opens February 12th at 10:30 am: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/preschool-time-february-2026-north-branch-library-tickets-1980198002531?aff=oddtdtcreator
Come join us and get ready to read!
Toddler Time is a fun 6-session program designed for toddlers and their caregivers. This program encourages and supports learning through stories, songs, art and play.
The James L. McIntyre Centennial Library at 50 East Street is offering a Spring session of Toddler Time on Monday mornings from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. starting Monday, March 30th to May 11th, 2026.
Registration begins Monday, March 9th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Follow this link to register on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toddler-time-march-2026-centennial-library-tickets-1980014173694?aff=oddtdtcreator
A library card is required for registration. This program is open to children 13 to 29 months of age. Space is limited.
This program is generously sponsored by Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie area.
Please call the Children's Desk at 705-759-5241 for assistance and information.
Reading With My Gnomies, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library’s Kids’ Winter Reading Club, is open for registration!
Kids are invited to sign up at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.) or North Branch Library (232C Northern Ave. E.) and help their gnome team win by completing reading challenges at their own pace. For every challenge completed, participants will earn prize entries towards winning their team’s gnome mascot. Join today for reading fun!
For more information, call: 705-759-5241.
Baby Time will be held on Thursdays, from January 8th to January 29th 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.)
Registration is closed.
NOTE: To register for this program, either the child participant or their responsible adult must have a Sault Ste. Marie Public Library card. Open to babies from newborn to 12 months of age, Baby Time is a great way to introduce young children to the library, to begin a love of books, and to help children develop into lifelong learners. Please note: one caregiver must attend with each child registered.
Baby Picasso is a 4-session program that introduces young children 6-12 months old to experiences that integrate music, art, literacy, and sensory stimulation.
The program is limited to 12 babies. Please note: one caregiver must attend with each child registered.
North Branch Library:
Registration is closed.
Program begins Thursdays, January 8 to January 29, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the North Branch Library (232-c Northern Ave). Babies will have the opportunity to create art using food products such as pudding and pasta.
Centennial Library:
Registration begins Monday, January 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Follow this link to register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/baby-picasso-february-2026-centennial-library-tickets-1978156707964?aff=oddtdtcreator
Program begins Monday, February 2 to March 2, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St). Babies will have the opportunity to create art using food products such as pudding and pasta.
LEGO My Library
Kids and their caregivers are invited to drop in for LEGO My Library at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.) on Thursday evenings between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. This program will feature different LEGO building challenges each week, as well as time for free building, and runs weekly until December 11th, 2025, resuming in the new year on January 8th, 2026. LEGO My Library is offered in partnership with Kiwanis of Lakeshore and Kiwanis Aktion Club of Lakeshore.
For more information, please call: 705-759-5241.
Surprise Reads for Kids
Surprise Reads for Kids is a monthly subscription with books picked just for kids, based on what they like to read! Each month, we’ll select 3 books for your child, check them out to you, package them for pick-up, and contact you to let you know your Surprise Reads are ready!
Fill out our online survey (1 survey per child – choose from Picture Book, Learning-to-Read, EZ Reader, or Middle Grade) by following the links below:
Surprise Reads Picture Book Subscription
Surprise Reads Learning-to-Read Subscription
Surprise Reads EZ Reader Subscription (Approx. Gr. 2-4)
Surprise Reads Middle Grade Subscription
The best part, it’s free and we do the work!
Forest of Reading Award Program
The Forest of Reading Award Programs are where children and young adults pick the winner! Readers choose a program that they would like to be a part of, usually based on their age or grade, and simply begin reading! They can read all ten of the titles, or pick and choose to read only the ones they are interested in. Participants are encouraged to read at least five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote in April. This program aims to encourage a genuine and life-long love of reading among readers of all ages.
Vote for your favourite 2026 Forest of Reading book here: https://forms.gle/oYUswMqo2yCCiN4MA
