June is National Indigenous History Month. The HDSB is on the ancestral, treaty and title lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Throughout the year, students engage in learning about Indigenous Rights, truths, responsibilities and excellence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Please visit our Bob Hepburn Memorial Library to learn more from our related displays honouring this special time. Thank you:)

At our Bob Hepburn Memorial Library, we celebrate Pride Month  in June. We are committed to providing a respectful environment where all students, staff and community members feel welcome. Please stop by our related library display to learn more and show your support. Thank you :) 

        Mental Health Week 2025 Theme: Unmasking Mental Health

Living with a mental health or substance use challenge is hard enough; masking can make it even harder. Living with mental health challenges often forces people to hide behind a “mask” to protect themselves from judgment and discrimination. But the heavier the stigma, the heavier the mask becomes, and the more isolated we feel.

This May 5-11, we’re encouraging people across Canada to look beyond the surface and see the whole person. By embracing honesty and vulnerability, we open the door to deeper connections and the mental health benefits that come with it. In doing so, we can create a ripple effect of courage and understanding across the country.

Yom Hashoah Vehagvurah, Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day ison April 23rd. On this day and every day, we remember the victims of the Holocaust, honour the survivors, and learn the difficult lessons of the past. 

Guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination take place every day. Observed annually on March 21st. It commemorates the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

While much progress has been made, Indigenous peoples, and racialized and religious minority communities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day. This day serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and all levels of government to actively work to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hate. Re-committing efforts, to ensure all people are respected and have equal access and opportunity to be safe and to succeed. Please come to our library to learn more from our related displays. Thank you:) 

Held every year on 21 March, World Poetry Day celebrates one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity. Come to our library to check out our related display and the huge collection we have on the shelves. Enjoy!!! 

United Nations World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on March 3rd to celebrate wild animals and plants. Every year, we recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. The WWD2025 Theme is Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet. Please come to our library to check out our related display to learn more:)

World Day of Social Justice (February 20th) is an international day recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.  Please come to our library for related books on display to learn more. Thank you:)

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. As of 2024, Freedom to Read Week entered a new phase led by Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and the Ontario Library Association in partnership with the Book and Periodical Council.

Come by the library this week (Decembe 16 to 20th) and check out our Secret Santa Book Display. This is a fun way to try out a new book and you get a candy cane:) Take a book out this week from our library for the holiday break and you will also receive a candy cane. Happy Reading!!!

The White Pine Award Winning Books have arrived!!! The White Pine Award is one of the annual literature Forest of Reading awards sponsored by the Ontario Library Association (OLA). Every year, 10 books are nominated for the award and students vote their favourite book. Please visit our library to take one out:) 

For those who may not be aware, Transgender Awareness Week is celebrated every year from November 13th to 19th. Individuals and organizations bring attention to the stories and experiences of transgender people and communities. The week-long celebration leads up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th which is today. 

Transgender Day of Remembrance  is an annual observance honoring the lives lost to acts of transphobic violence and systemic oppression. Whether you are celebrating your trans pride or engaging in education and advocacy as an ally, Transgender Awareness week is a time for showing up, speaking up, and supporting one another. The awareness we build spurs the kind of education and change that will make it possible for transgender and gender diverse people to find the support and resources they need.

You can find many resources in our library. Please feel free to have a look at our current display in person. These are just part of of a much bigger collection.

During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week and throughout the year, the #HDSB is committed to taking immediate and proactive action to prevent and address all incidents of bullying to create safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all students. Our Bullying Response Protocol guides us to address every incident of bullying quickly and with care. Through our online reporting tool, students and families can confidentially report bullying. Visit the HDSB website to learn more about the Bullying Response Protocol, access the online reporting tool and explore resources for families to support bullying prevention.Together, we can create a safe school environment for all. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fHook2. Come to our Library to learn more.

What is the FOLD Kids Book Fest?

• Canada’s first children’s festival celebrating diverse authors and storytellers.

• The Story of the FOLD (Video)

When is it?

• The festival runs from November 5– 9, with live virtual school group events for students taking place November 5-7.

• We have actual FOLD books on display in our Library RIGHT NOW for you to check out. Enjoy!!! 

Thank you to everyone who particpated in the Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Contest. 

Please check the Library  Brightspace Page to find out if you won! 

If you didn't get a chance already, please have a look at our related Library Book Display in our library. Here's a related student created slideshow for more information:) Wishing you all a Blessed Dwali!!!

Thank you to staff and students who joined us for our first ever Book Tasting! It was a lot of fun:)