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!
We’re celebrating Star Wars Day early at the library! Children and their caregivers are invited to celebrate Star Wars Day on Saturday, May 2nd, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.). Drop in to our Children’s Department and enjoy Star Wars-themed activities and crafts. No registration is necessary for this free, drop-in program.
The Dove Real Beauty workshop for girls is a fun, educational and interactive program for young girls ages 6-10.
The Dove Real Beauty workshop for girls is a fun, educational and interactive program for young girls ages 6-10 and their adult female mentors that encourages girls and women everywhere to embrace a more positive image of themselves, both inside and out.
Online registration begins April 29th, 2026 at 9:00am: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dove-real-beauty-may-2026-centennial-library-tickets-1987932316071?aff=oddtdtcreator The event will be held on May 20th, 2026 at the James L McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St) This program is generously sponsored by Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie Area.
Spaces are limited! Please call 705-759-5241 for more information.
Please note: each participating child or their responsible adult must have a valid Sault Ste. Marie Public Library card in order to register for this program. Please have your card ready, as the card number is required during registration.
No library card? Don’t worry – it’s easy to sign up for your FREE membership! The fastest way to get a card is to visit one of our library locations with photo ID and proof of address. You can also sign up for a card through our website: https://ssmpl.ca/using-ssmpl/get-a-library-card/ Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process your online registration.
Caregivers are invited to register their child for Baby Picasso, taking place on Wednesdays from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m., June 3rd to June 24th, 2026, at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East Street).
Online registration begins Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baby-picasso-june-2026-centennial-library-tickets-1988579344350?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true Space is limited.
Note: To register for this program, either the child participant or their responsible adult must have a Sault Ste. Marie Public Library card. This 4-session program introduces young children 6 - 12 months old to experiences that integrate music, art, literacy, and sensory stimulation. Babies will have the opportunity to create art using food products such as pudding and pasta. Please note: one caregiver must attend with each child registered.
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.
Come join us and get ready to read!
Registration begins April 23, 2026 at 9am: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/preschool-time-mayjune-2026-centennial-library-tickets-1986902415611?aff=oddtdtcreator
This program runs Thursday mornings from 10am-11am starting May 14th until June 18th, 2026.
Please note: each participating child or their responsible adult must have a valid Sault Ste. Marie Public Library card in order to register for this program. Please have your card ready, as the card number is required during registration.
No library card? Don’t worry – it’s easy to sign up for your FREE membership! The fastest way to get a card is to visit one of our library locations with photo ID and proof of address. You can also sign up for a card through our website: https://ssmpl.ca/using-ssmpl/get-a-library-card/ Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process your online registration.
Designed for the youngest library users and their parents or caregivers, 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.
June
Baby Time will run for 4 weeks, starting Monday, June 1st to June 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.), and is open to babies from newborn to 12 months of age.
Registration starts Monday, May 11th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/baby-time-june-2026-tickets-1987515783210?aff=oddtdtcreator. Registration is limited to 16 babies.
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 Time is generously sponsored by Kiwanis of Sault Ste. Marie.
April-May
Baby Time will be held on Wednesdays, from April 22nd to May 13th, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.)
Online registration is closed.
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.
North Branch
Toddler Time will be held at the North Branch Library (232- C Northern Ave) on Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. starting Thursday, May 21st to June 25, 2026. Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026. at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1985839446241?aff=oddtdtcreator. Space is limited.
Centennial Library
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 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. Children must be between 13 and 29 months of age and attend with a caregiver. Toddler Time is a fun 45-minute program designed for toddlers and their caregivers. This program encourages and supports learning through stories, songs, art and play.
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.
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
