North Kawartha Public Library

North Kawartha Public Library The North Kawartha Public Library has a main branch in Apsley and a second in Woodview. Only some books could be saved.

Historical Background

In the early 1930’s the members of the Apsley Women’s Institute initiated a book lending service. Books were received from the Traveling Libraries Branch of the Toronto Education System for a period of three months. The books were stored in the Town Hall, Red Cross Hospital or Orange Hall.

1937

The need for a library became evident for which money had to be raised in the c

ommunity. Burleigh and Anstruther Township Council gave permission for a library to be built on municipal property next to the Town Hall for the fee of one dollar per year.

1939

During the summer the building was raised entirely by volunteer workers and books weeded from the Toronto, Hamilton and Kingston libraries were put on the shelves. Volunteer librarians and members of the Women’s Institute provided the service.

1940

Hydro came to Apsley and the building was wired.

1961

March 31st, the Town Hall caught fire and it quickly spread to the library. The $1500 insurance money was put into a Bursary Fund for Apsley students who graduated from grade 13 at Lakefield and were going on to further education.

1968

A new library system was started in Ontario and the Burleigh Anstruther library became part of the Lake Ontario Regional Library System. The Burleigh Anstruther Council made available a room in the newly built Municipal Offices and the Lake Ontario Regional Library System agreed to put in shelving, furniture and 1500 books.

Attention Apsley Branch Patrons! Are you looking for a wedding photo that you may have used as a bookmark? If this is yo...
08/27/2026

Attention Apsley Branch Patrons!

Are you looking for a wedding photo that you may have used as a bookmark?

If this is yours, we have it saved for you at the circulation desk .

Drop in tomorrow morning for our last summer Mah Jongg event at the Apsley Branch. All skill levels welcome. 10am to n...
08/27/2026

Drop in tomorrow morning for our last summer Mah Jongg event at the Apsley Branch. All skill levels welcome. 10am to noon. 175 Burleigh Street.

If you want to see Mah Jongg continue in the fall, please comment below or email us to let us know. We hope there is enough interest for it to continue.

[email protected]

We are so pleased to introduce a meditation workshop at the library. Lee Smith, a retired registered psychologist, is o...
08/25/2026

We are so pleased to introduce a meditation workshop at the library. Lee Smith, a retired registered psychologist, is offering this 6-week meditation workshop free to participants.

So why meditation? Lot’s of reasons, but one quick view would be this: Meditation works and exercises the brain’s systems that mediate our awareness. With this exercise these systems strengthen. Consequently, we just tend to start living more moments a little more dialled in. Happening to pay more careful attention to your life as you live it may put you in more known contact with the joys that we miss while preoccupied. Further, we learn about this wild, wild mind of ours, about the nature of much of that judgemental and critical thought that goes on, and how to work with that. We can develop understanding and skill in working with and decreasing stress and anxiety, anger, a host of their physical effects, and live with more kindness to oneself and others.

Pre-registration required, stop into Apsley or call 705-656-4333
Registration Deadline September 5th.
Minimum Registration Required to run - 10 people

To 'get' as much from this workshop as you would probably like, it is very important that you attend all classes. Further, getting the most from the workshop requires making a commitment to daily practice, which will need 20 to 30 minutes or more of your time every day. I encourage you to carefully look at your willingness and ability to invest in yourself in this way before registering.Because of the considerable investment of your time and energy that this workshop asks of you, and if you’re not acquainted with meditation and mindfulness, please do a little research so that you can make the most informed choice and commitment that you can.

*Participants must be able to attend all 6 weeks
North Kawartha Library Apsley Branch

Join us tomorrow at the Woodview Branch!
08/22/2026

Join us tomorrow at the Woodview Branch!

Unlock a world of imagination and creativity for your kids! Join us at our final Saturday Summer Story in Woodview, where the talented Donna Reid will share inspiring excerpts from her book Fiddle is Missing and more. This is a unique chance for kids to meet a real author and discover the magic of the writing stories. All ages welcome! Donna's book will be available for purchase. Free drop-in event at Woodview Branch, 66 Northey's Bay Rd.

We welcome Kathy Gingerich back to the library to share fun facts about the moon. We will learn about eclipses and moon ...
08/20/2026

We welcome Kathy Gingerich back to the library to share fun facts about the moon. We will learn about eclipses and moon phases. This fun, family event is free, and open to all ages. No registration required. Drop in to learn about the moon!.
Saturday August 29, 10:30am
Woodview Branch - 66 Northey's Bay Rd.

It’s time to return those Bingo Cards! Drop them off at the Woodview Branch this week to be entered in the draw. Thursda...
08/18/2026

It’s time to return those Bingo Cards!

Drop them off at the Woodview Branch this week to be entered in the draw.

Thursday or Saturday 10am - 2pm.

We hope you enjoyed challenging yourself to read more this summer!

Unlock a world of imagination and creativity for your kids! Join us at our final Saturday Summer Story in Woodview, wher...
08/14/2026

Unlock a world of imagination and creativity for your kids! Join us at our final Saturday Summer Story in Woodview, where the talented Donna Reid will share inspiring excerpts from her book Fiddle is Missing and more. This is a unique chance for kids to meet a real author and discover the magic of the writing stories. All ages welcome! Donna's book will be available for purchase. Free drop-in event at Woodview Branch, 66 Northey's Bay Rd.

Are you looking for something fun to do today? Drop into the library and meet Kathy Gingerich and take part in hands on ...
08/13/2026

Are you looking for something fun to do today? Drop into the library and meet Kathy Gingerich and take part in hands on water experiments! Learn how water around us reacts and interacts with things. Come and find out why she calls water "sticky"!
All ages. Drop in event
Apsley Branch, 175 Burleigh Street.
3:00pm August 13, 2026

What if you could unlock instant access to the most sought-after ebooks and audiobooks? With Lucky Day on the Libby App...
08/12/2026

What if you could unlock instant access to the most sought-after ebooks and audiobooks? With Lucky Day on the Libby App, the North Kawartha Library's 'skip-the-line' collection makes it possible, no waitlists required! Check it out today!

Address

175 Burleigh Street
Apsley, ON
K0L1A0

Telephone

+17056564333

Website

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