It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle this time of year. Looking back on past holidays, the memories I cherish are not the ones of standing in long lineups at checkout counters or circling parking lots hoping for a spot to appear but rather the times when our family stopped rushing and slowed down to enjoy the season. We've planned many holiday events at your Library this December. Why not slow down and drop by?

At Landon Branch Library on Wednesday, December 12 from 7:30 - 8:30 pm, enjoy a quiet evening at Yuletide Scenes from an Ontario Childhood. Revisit the magic of childhood storybooks, crisp mysterious nights dressed with the glitter of starlight, the adventures of an afternoon skating party and the misadventures of a childhood Christmas pageant at a one-hour concert of nostalgic yuletide music and songs performed with harp, vocals and percussion by Jennifer White w. Robert McMaster .   Concert tickets are $10 and are available in advance at Landon Library and at the door.

Check out the Grand Reopening Celebration for Masonville Branch Library from 1:30-3:30 pm on Saturday, December 15. Enjoy free light refreshments, music, magic, face-painting, scavenger hunts, crafts, prizes and more! Cake cutting at 2 p.m. Live music performed by the Bill Norris Jazz Quartet and children's entertainment by the magical Amazing Corbin.

In the east end on Saturday, December 15th, Pond Mills Branch Library is hosting a Tree Trimming Party from 2-3 pm for children and families. Join us for a free holiday celebration with stories, crafts and holiday treats. Help us make some decorations for our holiday tree and make some to take home for your tree. Drop in.

Byron Branch Library invites everyone to Christmas Delight on 6:30 pm - 8 pm, Thursday December 20. Drop into the library for an free evening of holiday music and treats. Children can decorate a gingerbread man and make a holiday craft.

Also on Thursday, December 20, you are invited to a Holiday Open House at the Cherryhill Branch Library. From 2 - 4 pm, light refreshments will be served and live musical entertainment provided by Jennifer Baetz on flute and Kevin Love on guitar.

Many locations are also hosting Hanukkah, Christmas and winter solstice storytimes for children and families. Don't forget to check out our kids' page for direct links to lists of holiday, books, music and movies for children. We've created holiday books, movies and music lists for adults too!

And if you're looking for books for children's gifts, don't miss Linda's Book Hooks video on our kids' page where she recommends some of the new titles just out for children. For adult books, check out Ellie's great reads blog and maybe even post a few of your favourites..

To see all of our program listings, simply click on the programs tab and choose by location.