Tag Archive for: kids

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School Field Trip Through Time

Children’s author Leah Payne takes children on a journey to discover how school has changed over the years. What kids think is normal now was certainly NOT normal in the past, and vice versa! Maybe your childhood school experience was different too!

Join us at the Main Branch for this special story time and activity is suitable for children in grades 2-5, learning about how we learn!

Leah Payne is an author, editor, and mom. She’s also an auxiliary librarian at the New Westminster Public Library. Leah holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Simon Fraser University and a master’s degree in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from the University of British Columbia. Her books include Less Is More (2023), Get Outside! (2024), and Time for School (2026), all published by Orca Book Publishers. When Leah’s not working, you’ll probably find her doing a jigsaw puzzle while listening to an audiobook and drinking a cup of tea.

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Love, Panda, Storytime & Stuffy Party

Beloved New Westminster teacher-librarian, Elaine Su, will lead a special story time to read her new book, Love, Panda. Bring your own stuffy, and after the story we’ll make portraits of our stuffed friends, so they can write letters, just like Panda!

 

Attendance at this event is through registration. Please register below, indicating number of children. Intended for children ages 4-9 and their families.

Elaine Su 苏依泠 was born in Shanghai and now lives with her family in beautiful coastal BC. Her favourite childhood stuffie was an enormous green and white rabbit named Duffle. He has since been adopted by her children and now lives in their bedroom where he rules over a kingdom of a hundred other stuffies. One of them is Panda. Elaine is an author, a teacher, an artist, and an avid fan of jigsaw puzzles. 

 

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Gardening: Worm Composting

Join Neill McCallum for a workshop on the essentials and benefits of worm composting—a highly efficient method for creating vibrant, thriving gardens that outperforms traditional composting. Under Neill’s guidance, discover how worm composting produces nutrient-rich vermicompost using household organic waste. Learn to reduce waste, enrich soil biodiversity, and support a flourishing ecosystem through the power of microorganisms.

Watch worms in action and gain hands-on knowledge as Neill provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to building your own affordable worm composting system.

Neill McCallum is a science teacher and environmental educator with a background in Biology and Education, and graduate studies in Education. Neill shares his hands-on experience with vermicomposting, gardening, and being environmentally conscious. Neill is passionate about helping people of all ages better understand where their food comes from and how everyday actions can support healthy ecosystems. His work bridges classroom learning with real-world environmental practices, empowering communities to compost waste, grow food, and care for local biodiversity.

 

This event will also be streamed live via Zoom. All registered attendees will receive the Zoom link before the session. The session will not be recorded.

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Home, Family, Belonging: A Conversation with African Youth in New Westminster

Building Bridges with Rwanda, in collaboration with the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre Society / Museum of Migration and the New Westminster Public Library, is hosting a Black History Month event. We will screen a film produced by Baraza Collective, Douglas College and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at the University of Toronto, and featuring the voices of African youth living in New Westminster about homelessness, climate change, poverty, racism, and hopes for the future.

There will be live music and a moderated conversation with the audience.

Write Your Own Story (Ages 8-12)

Join local authors Bryce and Steven Kothlow, authors of The Littles Dinosaur book series, to learn all about writing, publishing, and how to transform your ideas into a finished book! Build your creative writing skills and see first-hand what it takes to bring your own story from idea to publication.

Ukulele 101 (Ages 8-12)

Come get started on the ukulele-learn a few chords and get strumming some fun songs! Bring your own ukulele or use one of ours.

 

Registration opens on January 22, 2026.

 

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Mayor’s Youth Climate Leadership Team

Join together with Mayor Patrick Johnstone and members of the Youth Climate Leadership Team to learn about this innovative process, the project the team activated, and how the city is supporting their efforts. There will be a chance to ask questions and find out next steps.

 

Light refreshments will be served.

 

This event is part of BC Library Association’s Climate Action Week, a province-wide initiative to highlight the ways communities and libraries are taking action in the climate crisis. Check out all the climate action events at the New Westminster Public Library from November 1-7! nwpl.ca/climate

Storytime (2-5 years)

Join us for fun stories, rhymes, and songs for children aged 2-5 and their caregivers. Daycare and preschool groups must email youth@nwpl.ca to register before attending.

 

This event is part of BC Library Association’s Climate Action Week, a province-wide initiative to highlight the ways communities and libraries are taking action in the climate crisis. Check out all the climate action events at the New Westminster Public Library from November 1-7! nwpl.ca/climate

Baby Social Toy Swap

Join us for a special Baby Social in recognition of Climate Action Week. Do your baby toys need a refresh? Old toys gathering dust at home? Bring your baby’s forgotten toys and swap them with your neighbours! No requirement to bring items for the swap; washing machine/dishwasher-safe toys only, please.

No registration required.

 

This event is part of BC Library Association’s Climate Action Week, a province-wide initiative to highlight the ways communities and libraries are taking action in the climate crisis. Check out all the climate action events at the New Westminster Public Library from November 1-7! nwpl.ca/climate

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French Reading Buddies (6-9 years)

Children (ages 6-9 years) who can already read in French but need a little extra practice are paired with teen volunteers to read and do other activities together in a fun and encouraging environment. Please note this is not a formal tutoring session. Registration for the fall session is now closed.