Robert Weaver died on January 26, at the age of 87. As literary editor, anthologist, radio producer and broadcaster, he had been described as the “best friend Canadian writers ever had”. He has been credited with giving early breaks to new or then unknown writers such as Alice Munro, Mordecai Richler, Timothy Findley, Margaret Atwood and Leonard Cohen.

Explore the links below to read more about this champion of Canadian writers and how he changed Canadian literature. (If you are accessing these from home, you will be prompted to enter your library card number.)

CBC IDEAS - Portrait of Robert Weaver

In building a national literary culture, he saw that 'writers need an audience'. (ROBERT WEAVER, 87: EDITOR AND BROADCASTER)(Obituary) - Globe and Mail (January 29 2008)

Biography of Robert Weaver - Contemporary Authors Online (2007)

Start off the New Year by discovering fascinating books and participating in lively discussion as a member of the Oshawa Public Libraries' new Non-Fiction Book Club.

This club is hosted by Library staff and will be held on the first Saturday of the month from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in the McLaughlin Room at the McLaughlin Branch.

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your reading horizons and meet new people.

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom.

Freedom to read can never be taken for granted. Even in Canada, a free country by world standards, books and magazines are banned at the border.

Learn more about Freedom to Read Week by exploring these links.

An Evening with Randy Alldread, PR Manager at Mirvish Productions Enjoy an evening with Randy Alldread, Manager of Public Relations for Mirvish Productions, as he talks about the glitter world of show biz. Says Randy about his experiences: "Shows may come and shows may go: some successful, others forgettable, but the one thing that makes a show unique is the interesting personalities I've encountered along the way." Northview Branch, Wednesday February 20 at 7:30 pm

Oshawa Public Libraries is proud to announce the arrival of MyLibraryDV. Do you enjoy watching the US version of the Antiques Roadshow? How about exploring the world with Globe Trekker or enjoying Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home?

With a valid library card, you can view these shows and more. MyLibraryDV offers a dynamic lineup of documentaries, cooking shows, travel series, do-it-yourself programming, and selected classic movies for you to download and view.
Download the MyLibraryDV viewer, download up to 10 programmes of your choice each week, then sit back and enjoy!

View a full list of available programmes.

Please note: Downloading videos requires dedicated broadband network capabilities. This service is only available to you from outside the library.
The library is currently unable to provide this service without affecting the speed and response time of computers throughout the facility and as such is unavailable from within the library.
If you are trying to access this service from within the library, please cancel the operation and access this service from your home or other location that provides broadband access.

Enter for your chance to win a gift basket full of goodies. Drop off a entry form at any branch from January 14 2008 until February 16 2008.

All programmes start at 7:00 PM unless otherwise stated.

Monday, February 4 - Downsizing: Moving from a Larger Place to a Smaller Place - Legends Centre
Wednesday, February 6 - Get Organized from the Inside Out - McLaughlin Branch
Wednesday, February 6 - Patty Milinkovich: Decorating your Home - Jess Hann Branch -- rescheduled for February 13
Thursday, February 7 - Greening Your “Home Sweet Home” - Northview Branch
Monday, February 11 - The Psychology of Colour - Legends Centre
Tuesday, February 12 - Staging Your Home - Northview Branch
Rescheduled!! Wednesday, February 13 - Patty Milinkovich: Decorating your Home - Jess Hann Branch
Saturday, February 16 - Staging: Home for Sale! @ 2:00 PM - Jess Hann Branch

Oshawa Public Libraries is pleased to announce our new Strategic Plan 2008 - 2011.

Our first strategic plan “Ours to Renew … Turning the Page” set the stage for development of our library system between 2003 and 2007. We have now developed this strategic plan to guide the development of the library system over the next 4 years.

Focused on enhancing our role in the Oshawa Community, our strategic directions for 2008 to 2011 aim to:

* Increase the number of Oshawa residents who use the Library
* Increase the awareness of what we have to offer
* Increase satisfaction with our services
* Increase usage

Click here to see the Strategic Plan in full.

Are you looking for a few good books to read? Sign up for our e-newsletters and get great book suggestions by email. We'll deliver reading lists right to your inbox along with new gems, bestsellers, and related titles. You'll also be able to check immediately whether the items are available at the Library or whether they've been checked out.

Earle Keatley, professional scuba diver, photographer and naturalist, will share his recent photos of humpback whales and other ocean critters in their natural habitat.

Refreshments will be served. Free registration at any branch.

Join us for the following Global Film Nights. All films will be shown in the McLaughlin Auditorium.

Au revoire – Lenine! [2004]
Tuesday, January 22 at 7:00 pm
118 minutes. Rated R.
In German with English subtitles. In “Good bye, Lenin!” a brother and sister set up a staged communist environment for their frail, socialist-advocate mother who has just came back from a coma during which the Berlin Wall fell. Since the doctors say any shock could be fatal, the two siblings work day and night to keep the new democracy a secret. The film’s humour is always thought-provoking and cleverly executed. Admission Free. No registration required.


Il Postino [2003]
Tuesday, January 29 at 7:00 pm
112 minutes. Rated PG.
In Italian with English subtitles. Troisi plays a shy postman who strikes up an unlikely friendship with exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Through Neruda`s tutelage, Troisi gains the confidence he has lacked in life as he begins to flirt and even finds the strength to take a political stand. The film, while sweet and engaging, pushes beyond its charming borders to become a more complex and poignant story about growing into one`s destiny. Admission Free. No registration required.


Canada’s Black Roots, 1605-1812 [2007]
Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 pm
53 minutes. Unrated documentary.
An eclectic team of narrators and performers have compiled an entertaining documentary that traces Canada’s past through the eyes of its earliest Black residents. Admission Free. No registration required.


Calypso Music History: One Hand Don`t Clap [1991]
Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 pm
90 minutes. Unrated documentary.
The rousing sounds of Caribbean soca music provide the basis of this documentary. "Soca" music is a blend between calypso and soul. Artists featured include Lord Kitchener and Calypso Rose. Admission Free. No registration required.