 By Staff
January 9th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 are invited to answer the question “What does home mean to you?”
The annual Meaning of Home Habitat for Humanity writing contest is open until February 21, 2025,
The goal this year is t0 entice 850+ student submissions across Halton Mississauga and Dufferin Region!
Access to safe and affordable housing continues to be a top priority for all Canadians, including children, who understand how it can provide their family with a place to pursue their dreams and build a better life. Our model of affordable homeownership helps families in need of housing to buy their own home through an affordable mortgage geared to income — helping them build a strong foundation and the financial stability to plan for their children’s futures.
Continue reading What does home mean to grades 4,5 and 6 students?
By Staff
January 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The start of a new year is a chance to pause, reflect, and think about what you want to achieve in the next twelve months. Make 2025 a year of adventure and discovery by setting a reading resolution with the BPL Reading Challenge! Sign up online now to get started, then pick up your tracker from any BPL branch. It’s completely FREE to join.
Reading Challenge 101
The goal of our Reading Challenge is to read one book every month on a different theme or topic. In January, we kick off with the challenge to read a book set in a faraway place. It can be any book, fiction or non-fiction, that takes place somewhere else, whether it’s a different part of Canada, a different country, or even a different planet! If you’re not sure where to start, our librarians have curated a list of recommendations.
Stay Motivated
Every month, we’ll send you a reminder to check in online and let us know what book you read. When you check in, you’re entered into both our monthly and end-of-year grand prize draws for a chance to win great prizes. We’ll also share a new set of recommended reads, and other ways that we can help you find a book we think you’ll love that fits the monthly theme.
Connect With Other Readers
It’s like having a gym buddy, but for books! We’ll host a monthly meet-up for challenge participants, where we’ll chat about what we read, what we did and didn’t love, and exchange reading recommendations. Bring a friend, or come to make new ones. There’s no need to register, and you can find all the dates and locations on the BPL Reading Challenge web page.
Try Something New in 2025
Your monthly read can be in any format or genre, so why not challenge yourself even more and read outside of your comfort zone? Try a new genre, like romance, mystery, fantasy, or non-fiction. Or make 2025 the year you commit to audiobooks—it’s the ultimate in multi-tasking. You can tune into a great story while you’re driving, exercising, or cooking dinner.
Other Reading Resolutions
Beyond the Reading Challenge, there are lots of fun ways you can motivate yourself to read more in 2025. Here are some fun ideas for reading resolutions:
- Read the alphabet: Start with A and work your way through reading authors or books starting with each letter of the alphabet.
- Make a to-be-read jar: Anytime you hear about a book you want to read, write it on a scrap of paper and toss it in a mason jar, then pick a book from the jar when you’re not sure what to read next.
- Travel through books: Make a list of all the places you want to visit someday, then pick books set in those places.
- Expand your shelf: Exploring stories from people with different lived experiences can challenge your thinking, improve your empathy, and expand your understanding of global issues.
- Take on the classics: They’re (usually) popular for a reason, so consider tackling the books you skipped (or skimmed) in high school. For a fun twist, read the graphic or comic version of a classic novel, too!
- Ask us for a booklist curated by our book-loving staff through our Handpicked For You Service!
May your year ahead be filled with great books!
 By Pepper Parr
December 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Let us not rush back into the real world quite yet.
Christmas was festive, fun, and family – the day after has become a holiday with a quaint tradition that is celebrated in the Commonwealth countries that reflects the class tradition of the times.
The first mention of Boxing Day as a tradition is believed to be in 1830. It was the day that the Upper classes gave a “box” to people like post-men, errand-boys, and servants of various kinds.
It was a present, a gratuity given at Christmas to people who had provided a service. In Great Britain the custom for tradesmen to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. The tradition goes back as far as December 1663.
 It was a different time, a different era when class differences defined everything. The Boxing Day tradition came out of that era. The tradition was linked to an older British tradition – servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.
In South Africa as recently as the 1980s, milkmen and garbage collectors, who normally had little if any interaction with those they served, were accustomed to knock on their doors asking for a “Christmas box”, being a small cash donation, in the week or so before and after Christmas.
The European tradition, which has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor.
Boxing Day became a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day. 26 December is also St. Stephen’s Day, a religious holiday.
In the UK, Boxing Day is a bank holiday
In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974In Ireland – when the island as a whole was part of the United Kingdom – the Bank Holidays Act 1871 established the feast day of St. Stephen as a non-movable public holiday on 26 December. Following partition in 1920, Northern Ireland reverted to the British name, Boxing Day.
In Australia, Boxing Day is a federal public holiday. The Australian state of South Australia instead observes a public holiday known as Proclamation Day on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.
In New Zealand, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday; penalty rates and lieu time are provided to employees who work on Boxing Day.
In Canada, Boxing Day is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks and post offices/delivery are closed. In some Canadian provinces, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday that is always celebrated on 26 December. In Canadian provinces where Boxing Day was a statutory holiday, and it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, compensation days are given in the following week.
In the United States, 26 December is not observed as “Boxing Day”.
The tradition has become a massive sales push that has people lining up outside large chain store operations as early as 5 am waiting for huge discounts, usually on electronic items that are positioned as loss leaders to attract customers.
 Boxing day at the Eaton Centre – packed. The CTV television network reports that in 2010 Boxing Day sales totaled $1.8 billion. The tradition has become a shopping holiday that has become Boxing Week
Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer door buster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of 26 December, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at big-box consumer electronics retailers.
In recent years, retailers have expanded deals to “Boxing Week”. While Boxing Day is 26 December, many retailers will run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Year’s Eve. Notably, in the recession of late 2008, a record number of retailers were holding early promotions due to a weak economy. Canada’s Boxing Day has often been compared with the American Super Saturday (the Saturday before Christmas) and Black Friday.
From 2009 onward Black Friday deals become more prominent among Canadian retailers to discourage shoppers from crossing the border to the USA when the Canadian and USA dollars was close to parity, and this has lessened the appeal of Boxing Day in Canada somewhat as it was overtaken by Black Friday in terms of sales in 2013.
Boxing Day is not and has never been a shopping holiday in the USA.
In some parts of Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada and parts of Northern Ontario, most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal bylaw, or instead by informal agreement among major retailers to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day.
A tradition that came out of a social class based society has evolved into a week-long shopping spree.
It isn’t just about shopping; sports events have become major Boxing Day events.
 Major European leagues may enjoy a winter break when players can put their feet up over the festive period. But it’s all go in the Premier and Football Leagues. And that means plenty of action for armchair soccer fans. In the United Kingdom, it is traditional for both top-tier football leagues in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the lower ones, as well as the rugby leagues, to hold a full programme of football and rugby union matches on Boxing Day.
Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against local rivals to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day.
This is probably much more than you wanted to know about the holiday we celebrate today.
 By Staff
December 10th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON, ON
Support Burlington Public Library’s
Kids Learning Fund this holiday season
Give a gift that inspires a lifetime of learning! By donating to BPL’s Kids Learning Fund, you’re directly supporting literacy, creativity, and discovery for children in our community. A $30 donation can purchase up to four books for our children’s collection. A $100 donation can buy supplies for a STEAM programming session. And a $200 donation can help replace aging play equipment!
Click HERE to donate online or in any BPL branch from now until December 31. Tax receipts are provided for all donations over $20.
Shopping for someone who has everything? Honour their love of books and learning with a truly meaningful gift! Your contribution in their name is a gift that keeps giving.
Your donation helps us enhance our children’s book and tech collections, fund free programs that ignite a passion for reading, science, and art, and create welcoming library spaces with engaging toys, furnishings, and technology.
 By Staff
October 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Don’t miss the October 19th Take Action Day.
Join BurlingtonGreen and our event partners at the Burlington Centre (mall) on Saturday, October 19th from 10 am to 4 pm for this FREE event featuring a variety of opportunities to take ACTION for the environment.
 By Pepper Parr
October 8th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Second of a series on the changes taking place in print media and the challenge keeping the public informed.
In the period leading up to 2000 media found itself facing realty difficult times.
When Y2k (remember that event) was upon us no one really knew what was going to happen when we moved into the new millennium.
 Newspapers were selling their printing presses and contracting the work out. Media covered the event like a wet blanket – there were those that said it wasn’t really a problem while others suggested the machines that drive production would come to an immediate halt.
Media did a lot of reporting – but they didn’t pause to ask: what does this mean to us as an industry?
I don’t recall reading about any industry wide workshops; I don’t recall seeing anything in the way of op-ed pieces on what the industry needed to do in the way of changes.
Media covered disruption – without realizing that they were in line for some major disruption to their industry and they weren’t prepared.
The industry no longer had the aura of Watergate or the Pentagon Papers that made reporters heros – at that time thousands flooded into the industry wanting to be reporters. Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were the subject of close to fawning news stories, television specials and movies.
By the late 1980s journalism schools were being closed. The number of students that graduated got smaller and smaller.
The age of the men and woman in the news rooms was made up of people in their late 40’s and 50’s – there was no new blood coming into the industry. And there were few MBAs on staff of the large newspapers.
Those that were public corporations had financial analysts looking at profits which were decent at the time – what those analysts didn’t see was that the boat was moving quickly toward a Niagara size waterfall.
When the disruption of the revenue sources began media didn’t have a Plan B – they watched is losses began to climb and subscriptions slowly slipped away.
 The data relates to American newspaper – the number will not be much different for Canada Part 1 of a series.
 By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It was early evening. The weather was great.
 The crowd grey to about 100 people. Around 100 people had gathered at the Pavilion in Spencer Smith Park to take part in a Truth and Reconciliation Day event.
The majority wore the Orange T-shirts that had the Every Child Matters in bold letters on the front.
A few Indigenous women spoke – some drumming took place there was some singing before the group headed to the Beachway in a parade along the Promenade.
 An Indigenous woman sing and drumming during the ceremonial parts of the event. I was expecting more. There were no male speakers. The women told of their experiences with Residential schools. Is there a single person who is not by now fully aware of what was done to these people?
And are there very many people fully aware of what we are still doing to these people ?
 Lydia – one of the few young people at the event. Literally no Indigenous people that I could see at the event.  Lydia – getting restless. The chemicals that were dumped in the Grassy Narrows waters; the hundreds of communities that still do not have potable water – what they drink has to be transported into their communities.
How many thousands of people have to live in sub-standard housing where mould is a constant problem ?
They call themselves First Nation people and they are – but we don’t even treat them as citizens.
I expected more of what took place at Spencer Smith Park on a pleasant evening.
I wasn’t quite sure what it was we were celebrating.
 Indigenous art was displayed throughout Spencer Smith Park.
 By Staff
September 10th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Now that the kids are back in school, learning to live without their cell phone in their hands the province is interested in know what you think they should be taught in terms of life skills like: learning how to change a car tire , learning how to sew buttons and put a hem on a pair of trousers.
I thought those were things that parents and grandparents taught you to do? Maybe I’m old school.
Link to the provincial survey is HERE
By Staff
September 3rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The new cell phone policy that students will face when the return to class on Wednesday.
It is not expected to go easily.
 Will scenes like this be part of the classrooms across the province on Wednesday? Kids in kindergarten to Grade 6 can’t use their phones during the day, including lunch and recess; those in grades 7 to 12 can’t use them in class. Devices must be off and out of view. If not, kids will have to place them in a storage area. If they refuse they’ll be sent to the principal, who will consider a range of responses, including suspension. Students will be responsible for their devices and any consequences from breaking the rules.
But teachers, at the forefront of enforcing this policy, have raised concerns about what happens when a child doesn’t comply, or a confiscated device is lost, stolen or damaged.
 Minister of Education Jill Dunlop At her first press conference as education minister, Jill Dunlop recognized that “enforcement is going to be a big issue” for educators, but said the government has their backs.
Teacher are now going to enforce tough new provincial changes limiting cellphone use in schools, an issue Minister Dunlop knows well.
“I’ve been an educator in the past — although it was in a college, I do have a sense of that time in the classroom with students, and it leads to the work that we’re doing on distractions in the classroom.”
Today is a Professional Development day for teachers who are preparing for students on Wednesday. Many expect it to be a difficult first week.
By Staff
August 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Export Development Canada (EDC) has announced the recipients of its 2024 Youth Education scholarships.
Twenty students received the International Business Scholarship, and for the second year, seven students from equity-seeking communities were awarded the Community Leadership Scholarship.
All scholarships are in the amount of $5,000. In addition to strong academic standing, the Community Leadership recipients demonstrate dedication to the advancement of their communities through extra-curricular and volunteering. Representatives from six of EDC’s Employee Resource Groups (ERG) were part of the scholarship nomination and selection committee. In addition, a seventh scholarship recognizes Ukrainian students for academic excellence.
 Ellie Moroz, Ellie Moroz, a Carleton University, 4th year Sprott School of Business students from Burlington said: “Receiving EDC’s scholarship not only alleviates the financial burden of my final undergraduate year but also empowers me to contribute more actively to my school’s community through my involvement in student leadership”.
By Pepper Parr
August 13th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario has reached a tentative agreement with the associations representing school boards and the associations representing principals and vice-principals on the employment terms and conditions for principals and vice-principals in publicly funded schools.
The hope is that the agreement will provide stability needed to support student achievement.
 The principal sets the tone and the cultural of a school. The good ones are great and they make a big difference. But they are not all great. The memorandum of settlement is between the Ontario government, the associations representing principals and vice-principals (Ontario Principals’ Council, Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario and Association des directions et directions adjointes des écoles franco-ontariennes) and the four associations representing school boards (Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association, Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques and Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l’Ontario).
The term of the agreement is four years, applying to 2023 to 2027.
Ontario’s commitment to stability in the classroom ensures that students benefit from the government’s back-to-basics agenda, which is focused on what matters most: boosting reading, writing and math skills in Ontario schools to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow.
Principals and vice-principals in Ontario are not unionized. Over the next several weeks, all parties will be undergoing their separate approval processes with respect to the tentative settlement. Ontario has successfully reached central agreements with all 9 of its education labour partners, namely teacher federations and education workers.
By Pepper Parr
August 12th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are a woman who is considered low income, you may be eligible for pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship and entrepreneurship training through the Women’s Economic Security Program (WESP).
The training will help equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience to improve your economic security. If you are interested in applying to a WESP training program, please contact one of the organizations listed below to determine your eligibility.
This is an excellent program – well worth at least looking into. If it isn’t for you – pass it along to someone you think might fit.
There is training in four streams:
skilled trades
entrepreneurship for self-employment
information technology
general employment training
All programs include additional supports so you can focus on participating in the training programs. Supports may include:
food throughout the training day, and/or access to a food bank
transportation to and from the training program
support in finding child care
referral to mental health and wellbeing supports, counselling, housing and legal support
If this is something you want to follow up on here is the link to the people that can help.
Some projects also provide specialized programming and supports if you’ve experienced intimate partner violence or are at risk gender-based violence. Learn about intimate partner violence and how to get help.
 Women in skilled trades
There is a great need for workers in the skilled trades and many jobs in the trades are high-paying and can offer long-term economic opportunities.
If you’re interested in exploring a career in the skilled trades, you can find women in skilled trades training programs at:
Canadore College – General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship
Centre for Skills Development and Training – Enhanced General Carpentry
Collège Boréal – Programme de préapprentissage en Charpenterie
The Conestoga College Institute of Technology – Women in Skilled Trades: Enhanced General Carpentry Program
CWB Welding Foundation – Women of Steel: Pre-employment Program
George Brown College – Women Transitioning to Trades and Employment (WTTE)
Humber College – Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship for Women
Six Nations Polytechnic – We Are Welders Women’s Program
Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor – Industrial Mechanic Millwright CNC Pre-Apprenticeship Program
WoodGreen Community Services – CNC/Precision Machining Skills Training Program
 Entrepreneurship for women’s self-employment
You can find entrepreneurship training programs for women’s self-employment at:
10 Carden Shared Space – Opening Opportunities
Connecture Canada – Hairstyling Entrepreneurship Training
Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto – My Start-Up Program
Heritage Skills Development Centre – GTA Women Jumpstart to Success
Kingston Employment Youth Services – Creating Enterprise Opportunities
OASIS centre des femmes – Entrepreneurship Launchpad
PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise – ParoBiz – Women’s Business Development and Microloan Program
Scadding Court Community Centre – WE Hub
 Women in information technology
You can find a Women in Information Technology training program at:
The Redwood Shelter – Women in Technology: IT Help Desk Technician
Seven Generations Education Institute – Azemiinagoziwin Telecommunications Program
YWCA of Greater Toronto – Mobile Application Development
General employment training for women
If you are interested in employment training, you can find courses and programs at the following institutions and organizations:
George Brown College – Fashion Exchange (FX) Women in Fashion TECH
YWCA Greater Toronto – Moving On To Success (MOTS)
La Cité Collegiale – Programme de préparation à l’emploi pour femmes francophones à faible revenu
Minwaashin Lodge – Courage to Soar Program
Again – if you’re interested here’s the link
By Staff
May 6, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario Ministry of Education has created a theme to be used during Education Week – May 6-10.
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) joins school boards across Ontario by dedicating each day to focusing on one of the five areas of focus in the 2020-2024 Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYP) to highlight the importance of schools, staff, families and the community working together to support the well-being and academic success of students.
Monday, May 6 – Learning & Achievement: Examples will be shared of how the HDSB elevates student achievement and creates a culture of high expectations to maximize achievement and set students up for success beyond the classroom.
Tuesday, May 7 – Mental Health & Well-Being: This area of focus highlights how schools promote well-being and foster supportive spaces where all are equipped to succeed. May 6-12 is Mental Health Week, as designated by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), to promote mental health awareness, decreasing stigma and helpful resources.
Wednesday, May 8 – Equity and Inclusion: This area of focus shows how schools champion inclusive practices to cultivate an environment where every student has equitable access to education, support and opportunities for growth and achievement.
Thursday, May 9 – Environmental Leadership: This area shows how HDSB schools are providing hands-on learning of science and ecosystems that enables students and staff to elevate local environmental initiatives and practices, and take action to help create a sustainable world.
Friday, May 10 – Indigenous Perspectives & Awareness: On the final day of Education Week, the HDSB will highlight the many learning opportunities for students and staff that help promote knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives and realities.
How much of this “celebration” is going to impact the way parents talk about – think about the public education system we use to educate young people?
 Amy Collard, Chair of the Halton District School Board Amy Collard, Chair of the Halton District School Board said: ““Creating the right educational environment is crucial for academic achievement and paves the way for continued success. It is incredible to witness students thriving, and it speaks volumes to the dedication of our staff who have been doing exceptional work to prepare students for lifelong learning.”
HDSB is currently revising their Multi-Year Plan with the overall purpose of setting direction and prioritizing the collective actions of all stakeholders to ensure our efforts as an organization are aligned and coordinated to support the more than 65,000 students, 11,000 staff and the broader HDSB community.
Related news article:
Provide feedback for the HDSB Multi-Year Plan.
 By Staff
April 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Public Library announces the champions of this year’s Grand Battle of the Books 2024 competition.
Heartfelt congratulations go to both the Junior and Senior Grand Battle victors—both hailing from Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School!
The Library was captivated by the outstanding enthusiasm, depth of book knowledge, and exemplary team spirit showcased not only by our winning teams but also by their formidable opponents from St. Raphael (Junior) and Holy Rosary (Senior).
Resounding applause is due for all the teams that lit up this year’s Burlington Battle of the Books with their spirited participation.
 Senior Teams from Holy Rosary (left) and Sacred Heart of Jesus (right) competing at Burlington Battle of the Books 2024 Here’s a shoutout to the Junior Teams from Ascension, Charles R. Beaudoin, Florence Meares, Holy Rosary, John W. Boich, John T. Tuck, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Anne, St. Gabriel, St. Paul, and St. Raphael.
The Senior Teams gave it their all, representing Ascension, Burlington Christian Academy, Charles R. Beaudoin, Florence Meares, Holy Rosary, John W. Boich, John T. Tuck, Sacred Heart of Jesus, and St. Raphael.
This annual event, a tradition since 1986, triumphantly returned after a brief break due to COVID-19. This year, twenty dynamic teams from 12 Burlington schools engaged in a thrilling round-robin literary showdown, showcasing the power of reading and teamwork.
By Staff
March 2nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada’s greatest plastic scale model contest and sale.
Contest categories include Aircraft, Armour, Automotive, Ships, Figures, Space, Collections as well as Intermediate, Junior and Bantam entries.
The registration process for model entry closes March 19 at 11:59 pm.
No registrations will be accepted beyond this period or at the door.
Vendor tables – SOLD OUT.
Registration forms HERE
Check out the website
 Students love the place – a location that every student should get to at least once.
By Staff
January 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) is now accepting registrations for Junior (Year 1) and Senior (Year 2) Kindergarten for September 2024.
Registration can be completed online or in-person. Parents/guardians are asked to register their child for school by Feb. 1, 2024 or as soon as possible.
 Learning to read: a skill that will be with them for the rest of their life. Imagine not being able to read – it happens. Families can learn about Kindergarten in the HDSB by visiting the Registering for Kindergarten page on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca). Parents/guardians can pre-register their child online through the Register My Child for School page. To register for school in-person, use the Find My Local School tool on the HDSB website to determine your child’s home school and contact the school for additional information.
If you are new and/or returning to Ontario, please use the Where Do I Register Tool to guide you to where to begin your registration process (e.g. your home school OR at the HDSB Welcome Centre).
Please have the following original documents when registering:
- Proof of address (any two of the following current documents): lease or deed, car registration, utility bill, residential telephone bill, moving bill, property tax bill, bank statement, credit card statement, correspondence with a government agency
- Proof of age: birth certificate or passport or baptismal/faith record for your child
- Proof of citizenship: birth certificate or passport, Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Permanent Resident card
- If you are not the child’s parent, or if you have sole custody, please bring proof of custody (court order).
To register to begin school in Fall 2024, Junior Kindergarten (Year 1) children must be four years old by Dec. 31, 2024, and Senior Kindergarten (Year 2) children must be five years old by Dec. 31, 2024.
 She just can’t wait to get into her classroom. Parents/guardians who require language assistance to register their child for school can contact the Halton Multicultural Council at (905) 842-2486.
Parents/guardians who require accessibility accommodations to register their child for school can contact the Principal/Vice Principal of the school.
Background resources
Kindergarten
Registering for Kindergarten
Calling All Three-Year Olds
By Staff
January 7th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
If you have a library card- this article will not be new to you – the Chief Librarian Lita Barrie will have sent it to you.
 Chief Librarian Lita Barrie reports to members With our new year just a few days old, I’d like to share some highlights from this past year at Burlington Public Library. We wouldn’t be the library we are without your ongoing use and support, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who visits the library, in person or online, as part of your routine.
So, how did you use your public library in 2023? Here’s a quick look!
How You Used Your Library in 2023
BPL members borrowed over whopping 1,225,000 books in 2023! One family of eager readers saved over $27,000 by using the library in 2023! You can view your estimated annual savings at the bottom of your printed receipt when you check out books. We added this feature to our receipts this year and it has been a great way for customers to see what they are saving by using their library.
The most popular non-book items borrowed were MiFi Hotspots, Chromebooks, and iPads. When introduced in June, jigsaw puzzles were a huge and immediate hit with library members. This new collection will grow again in early 2024. Watch the shelves!
This year’s most popular event was Burlington Literary Festival’s riveting evening with R.H. Thomson, author of By the Ghost Light. And thousands of kids also came to the library to shake their sillies out at 1,367 storytimes this year—with some regularly attracting crowds of 80-plus children and their grown-ups!
Burlington Public Library’s Commitment to Accessibility
The library belongs to everyone in our community, and we are committed to making our services and collections accessible to all. With that in mind, we worked with various partners to launch new offerings this year.
Visitors to the library can now pick up sensory kits to use in any of our branches. These were developed in collaboration with Autism Ontario.
We also expanded our collection of supportive reading materials to include decodable books geared to people with dyslexia, and WonderBooks and Vox Books that read aloud while you turn the pages.
Our staff are ready to welcome and support you no matter your needs—our 2023 Staff Development Day centred on training all staff to provide accessibility support and resources.
New Library Services Launched in 2023
What else were we up to? We opened our new Reading Garden at Central Branch where you can enjoy a good book in the fresh air during warmer months. Your local history is now just a click away with the Burlington Digital Archive—an online trove of maps, photos, and historical documents. This digital portal went live in the fall thanks to the incredible work of our Digital Resources & Collections team. And, for Burlington readers looking for a good book recommendation—and we know there are lots of you—give Handpicked For You a try. We launched this service to give customers personalized picks from our expert library staff.
It was an outstanding year for Burlington Public Library, and we couldn’t have done it without the continued enthusiastic support of our community and our dedicated and talented staff, who work hard to deliver the best library service possible every day. Thank you for making BPL part of your story in 2023.
We look forward to seeing you at the library in 2024! To get a jump start on your reading list for the new year, check out my favourite reads of 2023.
Happy reading!
 By Pepper Parr
December 20th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
A couple more days and we can put our feet up, relax knowing that we have done everything we could to prepare for the holidays.
The younger children will be excited, close to unable to wait for Christmas day
The Burlington Library has expanded their seasonal offering from books and videos to some advice on how to handle the holidays. Keep it in mind when you are thinking about others in the days ahead.
Let’s face it. Despite the twinkling lights, peppermint drinks, and supercharged cheerfulness, this time of year can be tough to cope with—especially if you feel alone. During the pandemic lockdowns, we embraced changes such as takeout meals, online shopping, streaming movies, and reading eBooks. These are now conveniences that keep us comfortably at home. But as a result of having fewer interactions or meaningful connections with others, loneliness is on the rise.
 This person is just a phone call away. Last month, the World Health Organization announced loneliness and social isolation may soon reach epidemic proportions. They identified serious health risks linked to loneliness, such as dementia, stroke, and heart disease. But along with this dire news, the WHO’s leading health experts also suggested a simple prescription to combat loneliness—getting in touch with others by phone, online, and in-person; doing things you enjoy; and reaching out to local services that can connect you with others.
Connect With Others in a Third Place
Your local public library is a great place to start.
Last year, Burlington Public Library took part in a research project based out of McMaster University about how libraries can support connections and successful aging. This ongoing project explores the role public libraries play in strengthening social inclusion for older adults in the community. While this study focuses on older adults, the library offers opportunities for connection to people of all ages.
“We want everyone to feel welcome and included when they visit Burlington Public Library in person and online,” says David Quezada, Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Burlington Public Library (BPL). “We care deeply about providing an accessible communal space for all.”
Libraries are sometimes called a “third place.” This sociology term refers to familiar and welcoming surroundings separate from the two places where most people spend most of their time—work and home. Spending time in a “third place” can increase your social connections and sense of belonging.
Whether visiting for a few minutes or lingering for hours—you’re always welcome at Burlington Public Library. Pop in to chat with staff while you browse the displays. Or, if you’re looking to socialize and meet people with similar interests, perhaps you’d enjoy attending an interactive program such as Knit ‘n’ Natter or BPL Book Club. And don’t forget about the library’s comfy seats where you can read newspapers and magazines in a friendly space away from home.
Get the Jump on Seasonal Affective Disorder
The Library also offers a chance to brighten up your day, quite literally. A form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may cause changes in your feeling of well-being during the late fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter.
If you’re experiencing mild, temporary “winter blues,” increasing your exposure to natural or artificial daylight can help reduce seasonal doldrums. Come into BPL’s branches for a mood boost under a light therapy floor lamp. The Library offers these at all locations except for Kilbride. The lamp’s bright UV-filtered light mimics natural sunlight. (Sorry, tropical heat is not included!)
Talk to Local Support Services
While simply getting out of the house can be enough to kick a mild case of loneliness, some folks need more support.
If you’re not sure where to turn, caring library staff can refer you to people and places in the community that can support you. You can call 905.639.3611 during library open hours to speak to a staff member or reach out by email to infoburlington@bpl.on.ca.
 Is this leading by example? “Connecting people with community resources is an important part of what we do at the library,” says Quezada. “We can provide guidance to help you find the services you need.”
The Library also hosts free drop-in sessions where you can talk to specialists from local support organizations.
You Have a Friendly Face to Turn To
The Library is open every day, except statutory holidays so you always have somewhere to turn. If you’re ever feeling lonely, know that you can find a friendly face and a warm hello at your local library.
People who need a helping hand often don’t know how to reach out.
Those who have a supporting family and a great circle of friends have the most to give – reach out and invite people to share what you have.
By Staff
December 19th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
New research from Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute indicates a winemaker’s label signature can supercharge sales and impart value to consumers.
 And we thought sniffing the wine was how you learned where the value was! And we thought sniffing the wine was how you learned where the value was!
 Brock Professor of Marketing and Consumer Psychology Antonia Mantonakis Brock Professor of Marketing and Consumer Psychology Antonia Mantonakis and University of Ottawa’s Keri Kettle recently published “Look for the Signature: Using Personal Signatures as Extrinsic Cues Promotes Identity-Congruent Behaviour” in the Journal of Business Research.
Understanding that humans use signatures when committing themselves to significant obligations such as marriages or mortgages, Mantonakis and Kettle explored whether that same perceived value is reflected in consumer products boasting a signature.
The researchers conducted a series of seven studies that looked at how adding a personal signature to in-store signage and product labels affects product evaluations and sales, and examined the identities, affiliations, causal relationships and associations (or disassociations) between consumers and products.
“It is an exciting area of study that can be a windfall for businesses, especially winemakers, marketers, advocacy groups and even curious or savvy shoppers,” said Mantonakis. “One of the great factors we found was that businesses needed a strong understanding of their target audiences when making the decision about whether or not to include a signature on their product.”
The studies involved monitoring wine sales that highlighted a winemaker signature and sales of the same bottle of wine without the signature. Results demonstrated the presence of a signature can boost sales as much as 500 per cent if an Ontarian is purchasing an Ontario wine.
 Taylor MaGee, of Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, examines a wine bottle label. Moreover, bottles of wine with a signature were found to have a higher value in terms of quality compared to the same bottle of wine without a signature.
“The signature has its limits though,” Mantonakis said. “While we might see that a signature on a bottle of Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wine can drive retail sales for local consumers in Ontario and create positive value associations between consumer and product, it won’t happen for everyone, especially those who are travelling here from elsewhere and may not have a shared identity of being ‘from Ontario.’”
The results of the studies help define the relationship between consumers, the value associated with a signature, awareness of product and how a signature can establish or modify value of a product.
“Ultimately, our research indicates the effect of adding personal signatures depends more on the identity of the target consumers rather than the identity of the signer,” Mantonakis said, adding businesses should first consider their audience before introducing a signature to any label.
By Pepper Parr
December 5th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
While Canadian teenagers score well on international math, reading and science tests — scores in all three subjects have declined over the past two decades, according to a new global ranking released Tuesday.
“While it is evident that some countries and economies are performing very well in education, the overall picture is more worrying,” wrote Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, ( OECD) Director for Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher in a report about the PISA 2022 test, which focused on math.
“In more than two decades of global PISA tests, the OECD average score has not changed drastically between consecutive assessments. But this cycle saw an unprecedented drop in performance.”
 OECD Director for Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher In media interviews Schleicher said while COVID-19 played a role, the downward trend in some countries, including Canada, started before the pandemic. Factors include a general decline in perceived teacher support and the “extensive use of technology for leisure.”
This is the first large-scale study to collect data on student performance, well-being and equity since the pandemic-related disruptions resulted in school closures and the pivot to online learning. The tests also reveal how Canadian teens fared in each province. Ontarians performed above the national average in reading and science, but not math. Alberta was the only province to score above the national average in all three subjects.
 Canada was above the OECD average in all subjects, ranking fourth in science and fifth in math and reading. When compared with all participants, Canada ranked in the top 10 in all subjects. Singapore was number one in all areas.
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce, who is the chair of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, said “overall, it’s a very positive reflection” of what’s going on in classrooms across the country.
 Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce. Ontario, he added, is in the top 10 internationally, which shows the province’s back-to-basics strategy is working, along with investments in literacy and numeracy supports such as a math lead in every school board and early reading screening for primary schoolchildren starting in senior kindergarten.
“All of this, together, leads us to a better outcome,” Lecce said at Queen’s Park. “So it’s promising, but a recognition that we’ve got obviously more work to do to get these kids back on track.”
 Although Canada ranked high, its scores have trended downward, as have other countries’ around the globe. Compared with 2012, the proportion of students here scoring below baseline proficiency (Level 2) increased by seven percentage points in math, seven percentage points in reading, and four percentage points in science.
“If you do not reverse that, it’s just going to continue,” warned Schleicher, pointing out that Finland took top spot in 2000 and everyone looked to it as a model education system. “Now, (Finland) is an average performer. They have been very complacent.”
Schleicher added Canada could do better with “a curriculum that is more ambitious and has high expectations for students,” adding there has been a tendency in recent years to “sacrifice rigour” in order to please students. But he notes that “student well-being and academic rigour often go together.”
We have to just teach fewer things at greater depths,” he said. “In Canada, students often are good at the first layer of a problem, but they do not have the deep conceptual understanding” to get at the heart of a math problem.
Schleicher also recommended that teachers invest more time in their relationships with students so they feel supported. He was “surprised” that when kids switched to online learning due to school closures, just 13 per cent of Canadians reported being asked daily, by someone from the school, how they were feeling.
 “That’s a striking number,” he said. “During the pandemic, caring for your students was perhaps even more important than giving them homework.”
Ontario students were out of class and learning online, about 27 weeks, which was more than many students around the world.
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