Teachers, take part in our virtual programs and activities right from your classroom.
Book a virtual classroom visit
- Waterloo Kids Read program – our popular Grade 4 program has gone virtual! This program requires two "visits". Visit #1 - introduction to the resources at WPL plus learn how to choose great books for fun. Visit #2 – a lively book talk followed by a class vote to determine what book will be gifted to the class
- Book Talks – discover what’s new at the Library; for students in Grades 3 to 8
- Introduction to Library Resources – learn how to use the catalogue, explore our e-resources and discover new collections
To book a virtual visit, or if you have questions, please contact: Sheila Kretz-Greco, Early Learning and School Liaison at skretzgreco@wpl.ca
Programs & Events for classrooms
Black History Month: Things My Fore-Sisters Saw
Grades 5 and up
Wednesday, February 24
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Register your class now
Written and performed by Leslie McCurdy, this one-woman play introduces audiences to four Black women who affected significant social changes in Canadian History. A recording of the play with be presented with a Q&A session with Leslie McCurdy following.
Meet Forest of Reading Author Christina Kilbourne
Grades 6 and up
Wednesday, April 7
12:00pm to 12:45pm
Register your class now
Join in this fun virtual conversation with Red Maple nominated author, Christina Kilbourne. In the book, Safe Harbour, fourteen-year-old Harbour is living in a tent in a Toronto ravine with her dog, a two-month supply of canned tuna, and an unconventional reading list. She's not homeless, she tells herself. She's merely waiting for her home -- a thirty-six-foot sailboat -- to arrive with her father at the helm. But when sumer turns into fall, Harbour must face reality and accept help if she is to survive on the streets.
Meet Forest of Reading Author Terry Lynn Johnson
Grades 3 and up
Thursday, April 29
9:30am to 10:15am
Register your class now
Terry Lynn Johnson is the author of the Silver Birch nominated book Dog Driven, a riveting adventure about a musher who sets out to prove her impaired vision won't hold her back from competing in a rigorous sled race through the Canadian wilderness. Terry Lynn is an engaging speaker and will share some writing tips, fun stories about her dogs, and answer your questions about writing and dog sledding.
Online reading adventure
Let's Explore the Forest of Reading
Kindergarten to Adult
Starts Wednesday, February 17
Register at READsquared
The Forest of Reading® is Canada's largest recreational reading program with over 270,000 readers taking part every year. Its mission is to instill the love of reading across Canada.
Explore all the nominated titles in your age category/interest level and dive deep into them with activities, videos and challenges. The more missions you complete, the more chances you have to win. Fun to do by yourself, with your family or with your class.
This program is offered jointly by the four library systems of Waterloo Region.
personalized reading services at your library
WPL Kids Express Book Bundles
Order a curated package of information and library materials suited to the needs of your class. Our online form allows you to specify based on children’s ages, reading levels and interests. Users also can decide the number of items they would like to order.
Book It! Your Virtual Librarian
Teachers can now complete an online form to schedule a virtual appointment with our Children’s Reference Staff. We can help you discover new resources for your classroom and answer any questions you may have about our teacher services. This is also a great resources to reommend to parents who may need help finding materials and resources for their child while doing online learning. 
play anytime programs
Try our Play Anytime activities which you can, well, play anytime! Get active, try a virtual escape room or test yourself with trivia. What about scavenger hunts, geocashes or learning how to make something? New activities added monthly.
Click here to learn more about our Play Anytime programs.
the button project
In this world where wearing a mask has become the norm, we are missing seeing smiles and faces. To help teachers, school staff, daycare and care home staff share their smiles with the people they teach and work with daily, we've launched The Button Project. Taking part is easy and it's free!*
1. Teachers, school staff, daycare and care home staff can email their photos to buttons@wpl.ca
2. If multiple photos are being sent, please include them together in a ZIP file or via a link to an open folder in a Google Drive
3. Photos should be cropped as a headshot (shoulders up!) and be saved as JPGs or PNGs
4. Pleae include "Photo Buttons" in your email subject line
5. In your email, please include the contact information for the person picking up the buttons and the WPL location at which they would like to pick-up
6. WPL staff will produce one (1) button for each photo sent (multiple photos from an organization can and should be sent in one email)
7. We will contact you when the button(s) is/are ready for pickup
If you have further questions about The Button Project, phone 519-886-1310 ext. 124 or email askus@wpl.ca
*Please note that due to demands, we can only accomodate requests from within the Region of Waterloo.
More virtual programs & events
We have lots of fun programs planned for all ages to take part in at home, virtually and via livestream. Discover what is happening at your library by visiting our online events calendar.