Your local library — not just books anymore!

St. James

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/06/2025 (338 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, I visited the St. James-Assiniboia Public Library every week with our young children – borrowing books, VHS tapes, DVDs and even a few audiobooks.

Early reading is encouraged for all children, and the free lending is the icing on the cake.

The only costs I incurred were the overdue fines when we loved a book or movie a little too long, but I am glad that today most overdue penalties and borrowing fees have been eliminated!

Another perk is that you can order books and materials from other branches, to be delivered to your community branch for easy-peasy pickup. And you can drop off the same way. There’s no need to hustle downtown unless you want to check out the Millenium Library.

I happened upon a Winnipeg Public Library information booth recently and was pleasantly surprised to hear how they have invigorated themselves.

Here are some of the FREE services that you can enjoy with your FREE library card (yes, the theme is FREE): WiFi; computers with internet and MS Office; workshops; video games for PS4, Switch and Xbox1; newcomer and EAL (English as an Additional Language) resources; adult literacy programs; musical instrument loans (at the Millenium Library), including guitar, banjo, drums, violin, ukulele, mandolin, keyboard, xylophone and more; used book sales; HOOPLA digital platform for audiobooks, ebooks, comics, movies and television to stream or download; KANOPY platform for on-demand and streaming Oscar-winning movies, documentaries, short films, educational videos; and teen movies, music and games.

Summertime is a wonderful opportunity for students to read whatever they like and keep their reading chops sharp for September, and for preschoolers to prepare for Kindergarten learning.

The Winnipeg Library TD Summer Reading Club runs from June 9 through August 30 and is Canada’s biggest bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, interests and abilities. The club celebrates Canadian authors, illustrators and stories, and inspires kids to explore the fun of reading in their own way.

Visit any Winnipeg Public Library branch to receive a free children’s bilingual reading kit which includes an activity notebook, stickers, and a reading tracker. Take time to inquire about the wonderful library programs available for children and families.