The Huron County Library is pleased to announce the extensive collection of genealogical materials from the Ontario Genealogical Society – Huron Branch has been relocated to the Huron County Library’s Seaforth Branch.

This important collection includes:

• local family histories
• cemetery records
• census information
• church records
• other historical resources essential to those researching their Huron County roots.

Once housed at the log cabin at the Huron County Museum, the move to the Seaforth Branch ensures improved accessibility, preservation, and integration with the library’s existing local history resources.

The collection is available for in-person research at the Seaforth Branch only. OGS members will continue to be the main point of contact for the collection, providing volunteer support for research requests. Researchers can arrange appointments to meet volunteers during regular branch hours of operation by emailing huronchair@ogs.on.ca. Materials are for in-branch use only.

For more information about this collection and other local history and genealogical research materials available through the Huron County Library, visit: https://www.huroncountylibrary.ca/special-collections/

The Huron County Library is celebrating Pride Month by sharing valuable resources, participating in community events, and hosting activities in our branches.

Here is a round-up of what’s happening throughout June:

Huron County Pride Outreach: The Huron County Library is popping up at this year’s Huron County Pride Festival! Find us on the Square in downtown Goderich on Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and take in the amazing activities happening throughout the day!

2SLGBTQ+ Art Exhibition: We Have Always Been Here: Join the Exeter Branch and the Huron Cultural Office for a vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ Art Exhibition in honour of Pride Month! The exhibition runs June 5-19, with exhibit opening on June 5, 4 p.m., and reception on June 12, 4-6 p.m. Learn more!

LGBTQ2S+ Resources for young people and their families: Library staff have put together a valuable resource guide to support young people and their families. The guide features links to online resources, books from our collection, local supports, and more.

Crooked Teeth: Virtual Pride Author Talk with Danny Ramadan: To celebrate Pride Month, join us Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m., for a conversation with Danny Ramadan about his book Crooked Teeth: a Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir. Register online.

Bead the Rainbow: Celebrating Pride: Drop into Goderich and Bayfield Branches during regular branch hours through the month of June to craft your own bright, bold, and rainbow bracelets. Whether you want to show off your Pride, make a gift for a friend, or just enjoy some creative fun, we’ve got all the beads and supplies you need. 

Book Raffle: The Library is raffling off 10 LGBTQ2S+ books for a variety of ages (picture books, junior fiction, young adult, adult fiction, and adult non-fiction). Find ballots throughout the month of June at all 12 branches or visit us at the Huron Pride Festival.

Pride Craft: Drop into the Exeter Branch on Friday, June 6, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., to celebrate Pride Month by making a fun craft! All supplies will be provided. Ages: 5+

Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), community organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers file tax returns for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. CVITP volunteers use 10 of our 12 branches as drop-off points for tax returns. To see if you are eligible for this service, check under “eligibility criteria” on this page: About free tax clinics – Canada.ca.

Our local CVITP program is to be commended for their impressive results. In 2022, they completed 1,102 income tax returns, 787 of which were in Huron County. This meant $2.7 million was returned into our local economy. Nearly $900K of which went to parents through the Canada Child Benefit Program.

All clinics run at the following branches are by appointment only. Call or email your local clinic volunteer to schedule an appointment:

• Alice Munro Branch, Wingham: Friday, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
  Fred Vander Sterre, phone: 519-887-9506 or email: fvandersterre@gmail.com
• Bayfield Branch: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Sally Desjardine, phone: 519-236-4509 or email: sally.desjardine@hotmail.com
• Blyth Branch: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  Fred Vander Sterre, phone: 519-887-9506 or email:  fvandersterre@gmail.com
• Brussels Branch: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Fred Vander Sterre, phone: 519-887-9506 or email:  fvandersterre@gmail.com
• Clinton Branch: Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Mary Lou McGregor, phone: 519-441-2771 or email: bmmcgregor@tcc.on.ca
• Exeter Branch: Tuesday and Thursday, other days available 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
  Karen Dickins, phone: 519-870-9131 or email: kdickins00@hotmail.com
  or Sally Desjardine, phone: 519-236-4509 or email: sally.desjardine@hotmail.com
• Hensall Branch: Tuesday 2-6 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  Lynn Leppington, phone: 519-262-2938 or email: lynnleppington@gmail.com
• Seaforth Branch: Monday, Wednesday, 10 a.m.– 12 p.m.                                                                                  Brenda Adams, phone: 519-525-9485 or email: bd.adams@live.com
• Zurich Branch: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
  Sally Desjardine, phone: 519-236-4509 or email: sally.desjardine@hotmail.com

In celebration of Clinton’s 150th Anniversary, the Clinton Branch is hosting a Stories of Clinton Short Story Contest. This is your chance to tell your favourite story about Clinton. Stories can be set in the past, present, or future and can be based on real events or completely invented! Prizes to be awarded during the Homecoming weekend, July 4-6, 2025.

Categories:

• Children 15 and under
• Adults 16 and older. 

Contest Guildelines:

• All entries must be the original work of the author and previously unpublished. No generative AI tools may be used to create parts of or the whole story.
• The stories should be about the town of Clinton and the surrounding area.
• The stories can be set in the past, present, or future.
• Children’s stories can be any length.
• Adult stories should be 1,000–4,000 words long.
• The stories should be typed, double spaced and printed on one side of the page only.
• The title of the story should be included as a header or footer on each page.
• Please do not put your name on the story (to facilitate blind judging). Attach a cover sheet with your name, the title of the story, and contact information. If you are 15 or under, please include your age, and parent or guardians name.
• Please make and retain your own copy as the originals cannot be returned to you.
• If you would like to email your story, please send to clintonlib@eastlink.ca
• You may enter up to 3 stories.
• By entering this contest you are agreeing that the story may be published in print or digital format by the Clinton Homecoming Committee.

Deadline:

• April 30, 2025
• Please submit your typed copy to the Clinton Branch Library, or by email. 

Judging:

• A group of local volunteers will judge anld award a first, second and third place prizes in each category
• Judging will be based on originality, meeting the theme of “Stories of Clinton”, and artistic merit.
• All judges decisions are final.