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!
Toddler Time will be held at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library (50 East St.) on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. starting Thursday, October 30th to December 4th, 2025.
Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9th, 2025, a at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toddler-time-october-2025-centennial-library-tickets-1668749146619?aff=oddtdtcreator. 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. 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.
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 October 29th: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dove-real-beauty-november-19th-2025-centennial-library-tickets-1853731353379?aff=oddtdtcreator
Wednesday November 19th from 6:00pm-7:00pm at the Centennial library in the program room. 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.
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!
The James L. McIntyre Centennial Library at 50 East Street is offering an autumn session of Preschool Time on Monday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. starting Monday, October 20th to December 1st, 2025.
Registration begins Monday, September 29, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/preschool-time-october-2025-centennial-library-tickets-1577363389359?aff=oddtdtcreator
A library card is required for registration. This program is open to children 30 to 48 months of age. Space is limited.
Children will explore stories and learning activities that encourage them along a lifelong path of reading and learning. All children will have opportunities to engage in activities that focus on pre-reading, numeracy, and socialization.
Note: Caregivers must remain in the library building throughout the duration of the program.
Please call the Children's Desk at 705-759-5241 for assistance and information.
Baby Picasso is a 4-session program that introduces young children 6-12 months old to experiences that integrate music, art, literary and sensory stimulation. Babies will have the opportunity to create art using food products such as pudding and pasta. Registration is closed.
The sessions will run Tuesdays from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m., October14th to November 4th, 2025 at the Centennial Library Location. Registration is limited to 12 babies. A caregiver must accompany each child. One (1) caregiver = one (1) child.
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.
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.
