Barrie Public Library

08/31/2026

We definitely should've been more specific...🤷

But we just have too many favourite spots here at BPL!

(thanks for the inspo✨)

What's your favourite spot in the library? Let us know💬

08/31/2026

It's only 3 weeks away at Barrie Public Library ! 📚🧝‍♀️🧙‍♂️🦸‍♀️🦹‍♂️

08/29/2026

After 23 years with the library, we’re celebrating an incredible career and wishing Alison a very happy retirement!

For more than two decades, Alison has been part of our library family. She's hardworking, dedicated, endlessly knowledgeable, and always ready with her amazing sense of humour. She has helped, supported, and connected with our community while leaving a lasting mark on the people around her.

23 years is a lot of stories, a lot of colleagues, a lot of library moments, and countless contributions that have helped make BPL what it is today.

But how do you sum up 23 years and the impact one person can have? Sometimes, the best way is to hear it from the people who know her best, the colleagues who have shared those years, those library moments, and so many laughs with her.

“Your knowledge is going to be missed so much here, just as much as your laughter.”

“You’re such a leader behind the scenes.”

“I always appreciated your kindness in delivering those messages when we needed to hear them.”

“During some challenging times at the library, we needed you so much, and you really came through.”

“It’s been so fantastic having you in the library. You’ve done a fabulous job, and we’re going to miss you. All of Barrie is going to miss you.”

And perhaps the sentiment we heard more than once:

“We’re going to miss you so much, especially your laugh.” ❤️

Thank you, Alison, for 23 wonderful years of dedication and for everything you’ve given to our library and our community. We’re so grateful to have had you with us, and we hope retirement brings you plenty of time to enjoy whatever comes next 📚✨🐦‍⬛

Congratulations on your retirement, Alison! You’ll be missed.

Share your memories and well wishes in the comments to help us celebrate Alison's incredible 23 years at the library! 💙

08/28/2026

What a colourful summer it has been!

Our colouring contest brought in hundreds of creative entries, and we loved seeing all the imagination and creativity shared with us.

Thank you to everyone who participated! A special thank you to our local Tim Hortons Restaurant owners for believing in the power of public libraries and helping make this fun opportunity possible.

🖍️Everyone who completed a colouring entry received a $2 Tim Hortons Gift Card to enjoy a special treat of their choice! 💸

Congratulations to our three randomly drawn grand prize winners- one from each library branch!

Each winner will receive a $100 Gift Card and a mini–BPL Prize Pack. 🎉

Thank you for colouring, creating and sharing your creativity with us this summer! 💛

08/27/2026

As Laura gets ready to begin her next chapter, we asked a few of her colleagues to share some of their favourite memories and what they’ll remember most about working alongside her.🤗📚

From her incredible sense of humour and willingness to always jump in and help, to her calm, caring presence when things got a little chaotic, one thing was clear: Laura is an amazing teammate!

“Always stepping in, amazing sense of humour, there for everyone behind the scenes and jumping in when needed.”

“One of my first nights on the job was a crazy one; your calmness, your cool demeanor, your care and compassion is what made us come back to work the next day.”

Laura, thank you for everything you’ve brought to Barrie Public Library over the years. You’ll be so missed by your library family, but we can’t wait to see what’s next for you! 💙 💚 ❤️ 🧡

If you have a favourite memory with Laura, please share in the comments!

08/26/2026

🐾🐕We're celebrating National Dog Day !!🐶🦮🐩

Swipe to see what our library staff's pups would get up to if they spent at day at BPL▶️

What would your dog do at the library for the day?

Let us know in the comments💬

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

We are so saddened to hear the news about Dolly Parton. She was not only a legendary musician and entertainer, but a passionate champion of books, reading, and the power of imagination.

In 1995, Dolly created the Imagination Library, inspired in part by her father’s inability to read and write. What began as a dream to help children fall in love with books quickly grew into a worldwide gift of literacy. Today, the program provides free books to young children, reaching families across Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and the United States. This year marked 20 years of her Imagination Library expanding to Canada.

Dolly understood that a book can open a door, spark a child’s imagination, bring a family together, and help a young reader see a bigger world.

Thank you, Dolly, for helping generations of readers dream more, learn more, care more, and be more 📚❤️

08/25/2026

📚 10 days left! ⏰

Our Summer Reading Club challenges are wrapping up! Stop by any BPL location to log your books and get your final reading in before summer slips away. ☀️📖

But that doesn't mean the fun is over - Summer Reading Club programs are still happening right through the end of August!

Click here>> https://bit.ly/4qxcakK to view the event calendar!

08/24/2026

⚡CALLING ALL COSPLAYERS!⚡️

Your next side quest awaits 👀

We’re looking for cosplayers to join us at Comic Fest on September 19! Bring your favourite character to life, meet fellow fans, strike a pose, and help us make the library a little more super for the day 🦸‍♀️🦹‍♂️

Plus, we’ve got Chip Zdarsky, acclaimed writer of Batman, Captain America, and many more, joining us as a special guest!

Think you’ve got what it takes to answer the call? Apply to be a Comic Fest cosplayer!

📅 September 19
📍 Barrie Public Library, Downtown Branch
🔗 Link in bio to apply!

Send this post to your favourite cosplayer ➡️