Community

Caledon Public Library Provides $27.9 Million Value for the Caledon Community

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Caledon, ON – Caledon Public Library (CPL) has released a report on the economic benefit to the community of its services, collections and spaces. The report finds that, last year, CPL delivered a total economic value of $27,922,954 million or $3.75 for every municipal dollar invested in the Library.

CPL evaluated key domains including education, economic development, social inclusion and well-being, and culture, calculating a social return on investment (SROI) of 374.83%. This equates to $312.94 per resident or $966.53 per household in 2025, effectively leveraging the municipal investment of $84.05 per resident.

To accompany the report, CPL has created a short video highlighting the key findings and impact of library services in the community. The video can be viewed on their YouTube channel.

“Public libraries are often described as free, but our spaces and services are largely funded through local taxes paid by residents and businesses,” said Colleen Lipp, CEO and Chief Librarian of Caledon Public Library. “This report shows that each municipal dollar invested delivers meaningful economic and social value in return. Using the Valuing Ontario Libraries Toolkit allows us to clearly measure not only financial impact, but also the broader benefits that support learning, connection, and well-being across Caledon.”

CPL measured its value using the Valuing Ontario Libraries Toolkit (VOLT) developed by the Ontario Library Service and the NORDIK Institute. VOLT helps libraries apply a dollar value to the services they offer for free in order to calculate the benefit provided.

“The Library plays an essential role as a welcoming space and free public resource in our community,” said Tony Maxwell, Chair of the Caledon Public Library Board. “This report helps demonstrate the impact of library services, while reinforcing the Board’s role as a responsible steward of public investment. As we continue to evaluate the economic benefit every two years, we remain focused on increasing that return and ensuring our services reflect the evolving needs of Caledon residents.”

Caledon Public Library Brings Students Together for Battle of the Books

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Caledon, ON – Young readers, grades 4-6, from across Caledon put their knowledge to the test as Caledon Public Library hosted its first Battle of the Books on Tuesday, April 28 at the Caledon East Community Complex.

This high energy event brought together six elementary school teams for reading trivia and friendly competition. Students went head-to-head in a series of fast paced rounds, answering questions based on a shared reading list. The day built toward a final showdown with an awards presentation, recognizing all teams and celebrating the top three schools: Palgrave Public School took first place, followed by Belfountain Public School in second and James Bolton Public School in third.

“Battle of the Books was a celebration of reading and teamwork,” said Laurie Groe, Manager, Programming and Outreach, Caledon Public Library. “It was inspiring to see students come together to share their love of books and challenge themselves while cheering each other on.”

Participating schools included Alton Public School, Belfountain Public School, Caledon Central Public School, James Bolton Public School, Palgrave Public School, and SouthFields Village Public School.

Battle of the Books encourages students to engage deeply with reading while helping them build confidence and collaboration skills.

Community Turns Out for Caledon Seedy Saturday with Special Guest Frankie Flowers

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Caledon, ON – More than 300 community members gathered on Saturday, March 7 at the Caledon East Community Complex for Caledon’s annual Seedy Saturday, a lively celebration of gardening, sustainability, and community connection. The free, family-friendly event was presented by Caledon Public Library together with Albion Hills Community Farm and Palgrave United Community Kitchen.

Visitors explored a vibrant mix of local vendors and community organizations, browsed seeds and gardening resources, and took part in hands-on activities for all ages. Popular features included the Bring a Plant / Take a Plant table, a café with refreshments, a Friends of Caledon Public Library book sale, and opportunities to connect with local groups focused on gardening, food sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

A highlight of the day was a special presentation by gardening expert Frank Ferragine, better known as Frankie Flowers, who shared seasonal gardening tips and stories that kept the audience both laughing and learning. His appearance was made possible through the support of the Friends of Caledon Public Library.

“Seedy Saturday is a wonderful example of how the library brings people together around shared interests,” said Colleen Lipp, CEO and Chief Librarian of Caledon Public Library. “From first-time gardeners to lifelong green thumbs, events like this create space for learning, connection, and community pride. We’re grateful to our partners and the Friends of the Library for helping make it possible.”

The Friends of Caledon Public Library funded Frankie Flowers’ visit through proceeds raised at their popular book sales throughout the year.

“Our book sales support programs and opportunities that bring the community together,” said Victoria Edwards, President of the Friends of Caledon Public Library. “It was incredibly rewarding to see so many people come out to Seedy Saturday and enjoy Frankie Flowers’ talk. Knowing that all our Friends helped make this happen makes it even more exceptional!”

For Frankie Flowers, the event reflected the spirit of community that gardening naturally creates.

“Gardening has always been about more than plants; it’s about people,” said Frankie Flowers. “When communities gather to share seeds, ideas, and inspiration, it helps everything grow a little stronger. It’s wonderful to see so much enthusiasm for gardening right here in Caledon.”

Seedy Saturday continues to be a valued annual tradition thanks to the dedication of local partners and volunteers.

“Every year we see neighbours, families, and gardeners come together to learn from each other and celebrate growing food and flowers locally,” said Karen Hutchinson of Albion Hills Community Farm. “That sense of connection is why we continue to host Seedy Saturday; it brings the community together around something positive and hopeful. It is great to be part of this pan-Canadian tradition.”

For more information about library programs and events, visit caledon.library.on.ca.

Caledon Public Library Launches First-Ever Summer Makerspace Camps for Young Creatives

Caledon Public Library News 2026, Caledon East, Caledon Public Library, Community, Cory Trépanier Creativity Studio, innovation, library, maker camps, makerspace, summer camps

Caledon, ON – This summer, creativity takes centre stage as Caledon Public Library (CPL) launches its first-ever Summer Makerspace Camps, delivered in partnership with the Town of Caledon Recreation Department, held in the Cory Trépanier Creativity Studio at the Caledon East Community Complex.

Designed for curious, creative kids who love to build, design, and experiment, these hands-on camps offer an exciting opportunity to explore real-world maker technologies in a supportive, supervised environment.

Campers will use tools such as 3D printers and 3D scanners, Cricut digital cutting machines, Direct-to-Garment printing, and a laser cutter to bring their ideas to life. No prior experience is required, just imagination and a willingness to try something new.

“CPL’s makerspaces are typically designed for ages 13 and up,” said Laura Groe, CPL’s Program & Outreach Manager. “These camps create the opportunity for younger participants to confidently explore creative technologies and discover what they’re capable of.”

Two camps will be offered in Summer 2026:
July 20–24, 2026 (Ages 10–14)
Maker to Market: Build Your Big Idea
A full-day camp (9am–4pm) where participants design, create, and refine a maker project while learning about prototyping, design thinking, and introductory entrepreneurial concepts. Mornings will be facilitated by CPL staff, with afternoon recreation programming led by Town of Caledon camp counsellors.

August 10–14, 2026 (Ages 9–12)
Maker Quest: Design, Test, Create!
A half-day camp (9am–12:30pm) introducing younger makers to hands-on creative projects using maker tools, guided design challenges, and collaborative problem-solving.

“These camps provide a welcoming and engaging environment where kids can safely explore, problem-solve, and build new skills,” said Catherine Arthurs, CPL’s Maker & Emerging Technologies Supervisor. “Campers will leave with greater confidence, practical experience, and pride in what they’ve created.”

Registration and camp logistics are managed by the Town of Caledon Recreation Department. Camps are open to both residents and non-residents.

Families can find full details and register through the Town of Caledon Camps page under Leadership Camps.

This summer, let your child imagine it, design it, and make it happen.

Caledon Seedy Saturday Returns with Special Guest, Frankie Flowers

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Caledon, ON – Caledon Public Library, in partnership with Albion Hills Community Farm and Palgrave United Community Kitchen, invites the community to celebrate gardening and sustainability at Caledon’s annual Seedy Saturday. This free, family-friendly event takes place Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Caledon East Community Complex (6215 Old Church Road, Halls A & B) and welcomes everyone from first-time gardeners to seasoned green thumbs.

Thanks to the support of the Friends of Caledon Public Library, attendees will enjoy a special appearance by Frank Ferragine, better known as “Frankie Flowers,” who will speak from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Arguably Canada’s most popular and trusted gardening expert and weatherman, Frankie is known for blending practical, seasonal gardening advice with humour and infectious enthusiasm. A two-time recipient of Landscape Ontario’s Garden Communicator of the Year and an eight-time winner of Toronto’s Favourite Weather Personality (Toronto Sun Reader’s Award), Frankie is also a four-time bestselling author, consultant, garden writer, and philanthropist. His Disney-inspired Tinker Bell Garden earned three awards at Canada Blooms, including Best Overall Garden. When he’s not sharing his love of all things outdoors, Frankie works alongside his family at Bradford Greenhouses—one of Ontario’s largest combined greenhouse and garden centre operations—and proudly embraces his favourite role as a father. He lives by the mantra, “If you are green, you are growing!”.

Throughout the day, visitors can explore a vibrant mix of vendors and community organizations, discover unique seeds, and take part in eco-friendly gardening conversations. Popular features include the Bring a Plant / Take a Plant table, hands-on kids’ activities, and opportunities to connect with local gardening and sustainability groups. The event also includes a café with refreshments and a book sale, making Seedy Saturday a full experience for the whole family. Please note that this is a cash-only event.

Participating organizations include Caledon Public Library, Albion Hills Community Farm, Palgrave United Community Kitchen, ecoCaledon, Friends of Caledon Public Library, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Town of Caledon, Dried Flowers by Donna, Nutritional Herbalist, Alton Village Association, and Frankie Flowers, with more vendors to be announced.

Caledon Public Library Receives $6,000 Donation from Friends

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Caledon, ON — Caledon Public Library (CPL) is pleased to announce a generous $6,000 donation from the Friends of Caledon Public Library, raised largely through the Friends’ popular book sales. The donation will directly support accessible services, engaging community programming, and hands-on creative learning opportunities for residents.

Thanks to this contribution, Caledon Public Library will be able to:
• Purchase nine (9) Envoy Connect Players, supported by the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA). These portable devices enable people with print disabilities to enjoy accessible audiobooks, supporting inclusive access to reading and lifelong learning.
• Welcome renowned gardening expert Frankie Flowers as a keynote speaker at the Library’s upcoming Seedy Saturday event on Saturday March 7, enhancing an already popular community gathering.
• Expand the Library of Things with new maker equipment, giving customers the opportunity to borrow innovative tools and technologies for use at home or in their business.

“The Friends of Caledon Public Library play a vital role in helping us enhance services and programs that matter to our community,” said Colleen Lipp, Library CEO and Chief Librarian. “Their ongoing support allows us to invest in accessibility, creativity, and memorable experiences for library users of all ages. Since 1995, the Friends have donated well over $200,000 to Caledon Public Library.”

The Friends of Caledon Public Library is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing library services across Caledon. In addition to coordinating book sales, the Friends have sponsored writing contests and have helped fund a wide range of library materials and improvements, including musical instruments, furniture for reading areas, book club sets, and more.

“The Caledon community has been very supportive of our book sales and fundraising efforts,” said Victoria Edwards, President of the Friends of Caledon Public Library. “People are helping by purchasing books, donating books, and volunteering, and they are also making monetary donations and sharing their passion for the Library. I’m proud and grateful to be part of a group that, with the support of Caledon residents, is ensuring the Library can offer important services and resources to the community.”

Consider becoming a Friend today. Membership is just $10 per year and helps ensure that Caledon Public Library remains a vital and meaningful community asset.

Caledon Public Library Year-End Letter, 2025

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Dear Caledon Community Members,

As we come to the end of 2025, we extend our thanks for another meaningful year at Caledon Public Library (CPL). Each day, we see how learning and creative exploration enrich the lives of people across our community. We see you build new skills in the makerspaces, attend lively author talks, and we hear the giggles of children enjoying stories and spaces built for them. These moments remind us of the important role the Library plays in Caledon.

You borrowed 300,000 physical items, from books and audiobooks to instruments and board games. A significant portion of these were children’s materials, which shows that families in Caledon are building positive early reading habits. You also streamed and accessed over 170,000 digital titles and resources from our Digital Library. Over 25,000 people attended library workshops, events, and story times. There were 350,000 visits to our branches and over 120,000 sessions using technology and tools including Wi-Fi, computer workstations, and makerspaces.

This year, we added telescopes, passes to the Royal Ontario Museum and McMichael Art Gallery, puzzles, and Ontario Stream backpacks to our Library of Things collection. We introduced free 1-on-1 appointments to help customers build skills using technology. In addition, we were thrilled to launch Extended Access at the Inglewood Branch, enabling customers to access the branch beyond staffed hours and doubling the hours when registered customers can make use of branch collections and services. We hope to expand this service to more branches in the coming years.

Looking ahead, 2026 will bring a full calendar of programs for all ages: story times promoting early literacy, family-friendly March Break activities, studio support hours in the makerspaces, author visits, and exciting opportunities for teens, adults, and older adults to come together to learn and grow. As always, we will continue to expand our collections of books and other fun and useful items, and we will keep providing the digital services you love, including Kanopy, Hoopla, Gale courses and Udemy, Overdrive, and more (visit cpl.social/digitallibrary for a full list).

We are grateful for the ongoing support of our dedicated staff and volunteers, the Library Board, the Friends of Caledon Public Library and our partners at the Town of Caledon. Their commitment and support helps strengthen our work and extend our reach across the community.

Most of all, thank you to the residents of Caledon. Your engagement, feedback, and support help shape the Library’s direction and inspire us to keep improving. We look forward to welcoming you in the new year whether it be in person, online, or through our home delivery service. And, if you don’t yet have a library card, getting one is an easy New Year’s resolution we’re happy to help you achieve.

Warm regards,
Colleen Lipp
CEO & Chief Librarian
Caledon Public Library

Keep an Eye Out for Caledon Public Library’s Community Librarian

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Over the years, you’ve seen Caledon Public Library (CPL) staff at a variety of local events including Caledon Day, school open houses, and more. Now, with the addition of the new Community Librarian, the library will be an even greater part of community life.

What Is a Community Librarian?

This past spring, CPL introduced a brand-new role: the Community Librarian. This special job helps the library connect more closely with the people, places, and events that make Caledon such a great place to live.

The Community Librarian works outside the library walls to connect with local people, businesses, and groups. Their job is to learn what the community needs and find new ways the library can help meet those needs. You will see them:

– Hosting or helping with events
– Creating pop-up libraries
– Running workshops, and
– Partnering with local groups and businesses

The goal is to make the library more visible, helpful, and welcoming — no matter where you are in Caledon!

Meet CPL’s Community Librarian

Joe Mullins is CPL’s first Community Librarian. Many people already know Joe—he’s been working at the Library for almost two years. He’s friendly, full of energy, and loves showing people how the library can help them learn, grow, and connect.

“This new role is very exciting,” says Joe. “It has allowed CPL to reach the heart of the Caledon community. We get to meet people, build new partnerships, and make sure every resident — whether they’ve lived here for years or just moved in — feels welcome at the library.”

Want to Connect with the Library?

Are you part of a local business, group, or club and would like to learn more about the library, its makerspaces, and collections? Want to have a pop-up library at your event? Curious how the library can help you or your business grow? Contact the Library to put you in touch with Joe.

Caledon Public Library is a place for connection, creativity, and community, and with a Community Librarian on the team, CPL is closer than ever to the heart of Caledon.

Caledon Public Library Launches 2025-2028 Strategic Plan

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Caledon Public Library (CPL) released its new strategic plan this week which sets the course for the Library’s activities over the next four years. The plan prioritizes connections, learning, and community-informed services, and it positions the Library as a champion of intellectual freedom, responsible for safeguarding open access to information and encouraging dialogue.

CPL’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan reflects the viewpoints and ideas of community members, both Library users and non-users, staff, the Library Board and Leadership, community partners, and Council. Along with its four new strategic priorities, the plan offers a reconfirmed vision, mission and values, which will guide CPL as it sets out to achieve its aligned action plan.

“Our vision for CPL is that it fuels an informed, inspired and connected Caledon. The Library will see this vision come to life by nurturing lifelong learners, championing innovation, and strengthening the communities within Caledon” said Colleen Lipp, CEO and Chief Librarian. “Our values remain constant and reflect the core principles that guide every decision. CPL’s commitment to inclusivity and equity, to being a library for all, is at the top of the list.”

A committee of CPL staff and Board members along with creative strategy and consulting firm, Saffy Inc., led the creation of the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan as well as a new logo and brand for the public library.

Jill Jambor, Manager of Communications and Cultural Development, explains, “the new logo, a tree, is a modern take on the traditional symbol of knowledge, growth, and connection. It connects us to information, to possibility, to our community and culture, to the physical place where we live, work, and learn, and, through enduring continual evolution, to the future.”

CPL shares more about the new plan in a video, and you can pick up a copy in any of the Library’s branches or view it online.

Caledon Public Library Year-End Letter

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Dear Caledon Community Members,

As we close out 2024 and reflect on the past year, we remember the wonderful moments we’ve been part of: the excitement shared during book clubs, the sense of accomplishment shining on the faces of people using technology in the makerspaces, giggles, hugs and smiles during story times, and new insights discovered through books, digital titles and e-resources. We saw many of you take up a new instrument (borrowed from the Library), gather and connect in library spaces, study and explore new ideas, and celebrate arts and culture. It is a joy to see Caledon Public Library (CPL) promoting well-being and helping people in this community thrive.

I must thank our incredible staff for their work in championing the Library, providing expert service to library users, and serving as the most important resource CPL offers. I see their passion and dedication to connecting people to the services and information they need. Speaking on behalf of the staff, we are enormously grateful for the opportunities you provide us. Librarians love to answer questions! We delight in connecting you to the information, services, programs and support you seek.

The numbers share the story of how CPL has supported library users. Over the last year, we have tracked 107,000 digital titles borrowed (and counting). You, our community members, have borrowed a staggering 272,323+ physical items, including books, audiobooks, and “things” like instruments and board games. Children’s titles account for 34% of books borrowed, which shows that families and caregivers are encouraging their children to read for enjoyment, setting them up to enjoy learning, in turn setting the stage for lifelong success.

CPL released a report demonstrating a $3.31 social return on investment resulting in $254 per Caledon resident and $822 per household. Additionally, 85% of 300 respondents to the Town’s budget survey indicated they wanted library services maintained or increased. This lets us know we are on the right track, that a majority of people find value in and support the Library’s work and future direction. Excitingly, CPL released its own public survey this year as part of the 2025-28 strategic plan project. We are grateful for all the responses and feedback we received, which will allow us to create a roadmap for the next four years that best serves your needs and will shape your future library.

Finally, I thank the amazing lifelong library users who support CPL through volunteerism. CPL’s Board of Directors is an extraordinary group of nine Caledon community members with a wide range of expertise that they bring to the table in support of a common goal: to govern the public library, ensuring it operates responsibly and meets the needs of the community to the very best of its ability. And to the Friends of Caledon Public Library, an organization that exists to support CPL and just celebrated its 30th year, thank you. Your belief in the value of library services in our community helps ensure that these services will continue and that we will keep reaching new library users every year, so we can share what CPL has to offer and make life better for the people living and working in Caledon.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful holiday season, visit the library in person or online, and if you don’t already have one, get yourself a library card.

Warm regards,
Colleen Lipp
CEO & Chief Librarian
Caledon Public Library