Family Day fun – at home

Feb. 14, 2021 10:00 a.m.
Special online programs and activities offered from Vaughan Public Libraries

While the provincial stay-at-home order remains in effect, the City of Vaughan is reminding citizens that everyone has a role to play in protecting the community from further transmission of COVID-19. Plus, staying at home can be fun! This Family Day long weekend, participate in online programs and activities offered by Vaughan Public Libraries – these virtual resources continue to be introduced and enhanced for all ages and skill levels.
 
While all branches remain closed, Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) is offering a fully digital public library service to engage and educate residents of all ages. The web hub – vaughanpl.info/vpl_at_home –  features a variety of free online programming, such as a special Virtual Family Play Day on Monday, Feb. 15. Activities include mysterious adventures, fun with Pokemon and more. Family Day programs are also available on the VPL YouTube channel.
 
Other offerings available on the VPL at Home website include:
  • eBooks and audiobooks – such as novels, animated picture books, non-fiction and graphic novels – available through platforms like Hoopla, Overdrive and Tumblebooks.
  • films and television programs available for instant streaming or temporary download through Hoopla and Kanopy.
  • music-streaming services for more than 150,000 albums of classical, opera, jazz and world music with Naxos Music Library.
  • online learning courses like Lynda.com – teaching technology, software development, business skills, project management and video editing – and the Transparent Language app to learn a new language.
  • digital databases, such as Creativebug, to support business research, academic projects or independent learning. 
These online services can be accessed with a VPL library card. Obtain a temporary digital card for free by visiting vaughanpl.info/online_registration and clicking on ‘Apply Now.’
 
For additional virtual fun at home, explore the online programming guide for daily activities and follow VPL’s  Instagram and Facebook pages for content such as:
  • a livestream of Storytime every day at 10:30 a.m.
  • STEAM activity videos on VPL’s Instagram TV every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • French-language programs on VPL’s Instagram TV every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
  • online book clubs.
  • other special content and videos, including DIY projects, scavenger hunts, colouring pages, science experiments, songwriting contests and coding classes.  
In addition to virtual offerings, VPL has extended public Wi-Fi to reach the parking lot of Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library. This allows those who need it to connect to Wi-Fi from the comfort of their car for free. To learn more, visit vaughanpl.info. 
 
The entire library collection is also still available through the Curbside Pickup Program, which has been extended to every library in Vaughan to provide customers with quick and convenient access. Reserve books and arrange a pickup date at vaughanpl.info/curbside.
 
Departments across the City of Vaughan also continue to introduce and enhance online programs and at-home activities for the community.
 
RECREATION SERVICES
New virtual recreation resources are shared on the Recreation Services webpage on an ongoing basis, including arts and crafts, Vaughan Playschool educational worksheets, and Vaughan Playhouse Academy drama activities. To keep the community engaged and entertained, the department also runs fun, family-friendly social media contests. For regular updates on recreation programs, visit vaughan.ca/recreation.
 
Fitness classes are available via Zoom, free to Vaughan Fitness Members. Classes include spinning, yoga, total body conditioning, barre, HIIT circuit training and Zumba. Pre-registration is required through the new online registration system, PerfectMind. Classes are livestreamed Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. Non-members can also participate for $50 for six weeks. Fees are pro-rated after each class. For registration assistance, call 905-832-2281 or email RecCSD@vaughan.ca.    
 
Free, full-length fitness classes (40- to 60-minutes long) are also streamed Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. on the recvaughan YouTube channel. In addition, the Vaughan Fitness team has filmed family-friendly, easy-to-follow five-minute exercises in a new Vaughan FITbreak series. Tune in to the sessions, streamed live weekdays at noon, on @recvaughan IGTV. For more information on virtual fitness offerings, visit vaughan.ca/fitness.
 
OTHER PROGRAMS
Many services continue to be offered online or via telephone, including:
  • kid-friendly pollinator activities, such as butterfly origami, crossword puzzles and a Whose Home? interactive game available at vaughan.ca/environment.
  • the City’s digital art gallery – the Art Integration Collection – on Flickr, which features the 77 art acquisitions by local and GTA-based artists housed permanently in the collection.
  • the “explore online now, visit later” visitvaughan.ca website – developed in partnership with the Tourism Vaughan Corporation and Central Counties Tourism – which features museum tours, cooking lessons, educational webinars, roller-coaster rides and more about all there is to do and see in Vaughan. 
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Residents can also visit:
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