Welcome to your public library!
Serving our communities with two convenient locations in Whitney and Madawaska, we’re here to connect you with stories, knowledge, and resources.
Both branches offer:
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24/7 free Wi-Fi access
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Exterior book returns for after-hours convenience
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A warm, welcoming space for learning, discovery, and connection
Explore everything we have to offer — from digital resources and tech lending to our vibrant Seed Library and community programs.
We’re more than just books — we’re your library.
Library News
Virtual Author Talks
We offer you virtual, live & on-demand recordings of author talks. This service is included with your library membership. Please visit our speaker series website to view the list of upcoming talks, archived events and to register for an event. https://libraryc.org/southalgonquinlibrary
May/June Schedule
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How to Use Anxiety to Thrive with Dr. David H. Rosmarin Harvard Psychologist, Author, and Keynote Speaker Wednesday, May 7th at 2:00 PM EDT See More and Register |
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On Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller with Author Liann Zhang Julie Chan is Dead – A Propulsive Debut Thriller Wednesday, May 14th at 7:00 PM EDT See More and Register |
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How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us with Author Rachelle Bergstein Lifestyle Writer, Editor, and Bestselling Author of The Genius of Judy Wednesday, May 21st at 2:00 PM EDT See More and Register |
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Extinctopedia–A Discovery of What We Have Lost, What is at Risk, and What To Do About it with Smithsonian Scientists A Library Speakers Consortium and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration Wednesday, June 4th at 2:00 PM EDT See More and Register |
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Explore Unexpected Twists and Turns with Bestselling Author Lisa Jewell #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of None of This Is True and Then She Was Gone Tuesday, June 10th at 2:00 PM EDT See More and Register |
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Living the Otter Life with Katherine Applegate (3rd-6th Grade) Newbery Medalist and New York Times Bestselling Author Tuesday, June 24th at 4:00 PM EDT See More and Register |
We’re proud to announce that we have partnered with CBC Corner, a free digital platform exclusive to libraries that brings CBC’s audio, video, news and resources together in one place for a more streamlined experience.
Have a few minutes? Check out CBC Corner! With trusted news, entertaining radio and TV shows, educational kids content, award-winning podcasts, a free language learning app to refine your English or French and much more, you’ll find something for everyone
and every taste!
- English link: http://cbccorner.ca/southalgonquin
- French link: http://lespaceradiocanada.ca/southalgonquin
Seeking Volunteer Library Board Trustees
The Township of South Algonquin is seeking applications for Library Board Trustees for the Township of South Algonquin Public Library.
Are you interested in joining a dedicated group of volunteers who are working hard to ensure that our local libraries are growing and servicing residents effectively?
Do you have 3 – 6 hours per month that you can commit to the library?
To be a volunteer on a public library board in Ontario and in accordance with the Public Libraries Act, R.S.O. 1990, to qualify, an applicant must be:
- a Canadian citizen
- at least eighteen years of age
- a permanent resident of the Township of South Algonquin
- not employed by the Township or the Library
- not convicted of an indictable offence
The key responsibilities for Trustees are governance, policy, programming, and fiscal matters. Potential candidates should have management, planning, fundraising and/or financial experience. Computer skills are a definite asset. Our meetings are a hybrid of in person and zoom and we use Google drive for all documents sharing.
Charlene Alexander CEO/Head Librarian
33 Medical Centre Rd., P.O. Box 208, Whitney, ON K0J 2M0
whitneylibrary@southalgonquin.ca 613-637-5471
FREE LITTLE LIBRARIES!!
Update
Our Free Little Libraries have moved to their winter season locations. Now located at the Madawaska Complex and the Lester Smith Recreation Centre.
Dive into a world of literary treasures with our Free Little Libraries, located at the JR Booth Memorial Park in Madawaska and at the Galeairy Lake Beach in Whitney. Discover a new favorite read or share your own with fellow book lovers. Keep an eye out for these charming book nooks in your neighborhood! #FreeLittleLibraries #BookLovers #CommunityReading
MEDIA RELEASE $13,000 OTF Grant Gives Library Loanable Technology May 12, 2023
“This $13,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant to the Township of South Algonquin, specifically to the library, will enhance the available services by the purchasing of tablets, reader pens and microphones. These newly acquired items will certainly allow this rural community’s residents greater local access to newer technology. My sincere thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for this grant,” said John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.
In addition to the purchase of equipment, a user survey was administered in 2022, and a Chromebook handbook was created, and we are in process of setting up a children’s coding program that will utilize the Chromebooks. C-Pen readers are assistive devices that are portable text-to-speech pen scanners. The microphones and ring lights are being made available for creating pod casts and video recordings.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Charlene Alexander, CEO/Head Librarian. “This grant has allowed the library to purchase loanable technology, to improve residents access to Chromebooks and assistive devices that otherwise would not have been possible. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.”
The mission of the Township of South Algonquin Public Library is to provide comprehensive services to the highest degree possible within available resources. Our underlying values are Responsiveness to users, Accessible to all users, supporting Intellectual freedom for users and providing Responsible governance.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Organization Contact for Media Inquiries: Charlene Alexander CEO/Head Librarian Township of South Algonquin Public Library
613-637-5471 whitneylibrary@southalgonquin.ca https://www.southalgonquin.ca/library/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TownshipofSouthAlgonquinPublicLibrary Instagram: south_algonquin_public_library
Trillium grant gives $13k loanable tech to South Algonquin Library
South Algonquin libraries receive grants for operations