By Beverly Ewart
What’s Bugging You?
There is wisdom in naming what’s bugging you – and then letting it go. This is something I know about contemplative journaling, but it also makes a good pun when highlighting our new DK Smithsonian book about insects.
Can you name that spider on your shower curtain? What do you call the cool crawly under the dog dish, and why is it there? Is that a lunar moth under the porch light?
It’s beginning to be a bit buggy, inside and outside! Perfect timing for reading this beautiful DK book with your budding young entomologist:
Our World in Pictures: Bugs, Butterflies, Beetles and Bees. New York: DK Publishing, 2026. “Did you know that there may be 5 million species of insects in the world? And that there are over a billion insects for every human on our planet? With nearly 1,000 stunning images of insects from around the world, Our World in Pictures: Bugs, Butterflies, Beetles and Bees takes a fun look at this gigantic group of tiny animals.”–Publisher description.
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There is still time to take part in the third annual Friends of Canton Free Library’s online auction! Visit https://cantonfreelibrary.org/support/friends until Saturday, May 16, 2026, to bid on handcrafted items, handmade treats, artwork, and wearables, plus gift certificates for more than 20 local businesses and experiences.
All funds raised go to support the Friends and their current projects, including renovating a reading nook in the library’s fiction area. The Friends of CFL provides monetary and volunteer support for library programs and projects, including sponsorship of CFL’s Large Print collection.
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Chess Club at CFL meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3–4. Tuesday is free play with Ryan Nolan and designed for those that have some experience.
Thursday’s weekly session is with Zachary Woodley-White and is designed for beginners who would like to learn how to play. We offer rudimentary instruction and a judgement free space for younger players to establish and build on their fundamentals. No registration needed, ages 12 and below. Questions? Contact Zach at zwoodleywhite@ncls.org
Grab a board, find a friend, and start a game at any open table in the Main Reading Room. Other board games are available or bring your own.
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TEEN ANIME meets on Thursdays from 5-7pm.
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Dungeons and Dragons: The Canton Free Library is running a Dungeons and Dragons campaign! This program is a beginner level program aimed at teens who are looking to learn how to play Dungeons and Dragons. Limited to ages 13-18, with no registration necessary. We will meet on the last Wednesday of each month from 4-6. Contact Zach at zwoodleywhite@ncls.org for any questions. Currently playing Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Children’s Programming at the Canton Free Library:
O-17 months: Baby Storytime is for our library babies and their caregivers. We’ll share books, bounce rhymes, songs, finger plays, lots of smiles, and then close with social/play time. Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 am. No registration is needed.
18-35 months: Toddler Storytime for children and their caregivers. We’ll share books, rhymes, music, movement, and lots more early literacy fun! Mondays 10:30-11:00 am. No registration is necessary during the school year.
3-5 years: Preschool Storytime is for children and their caregivers. Stories, songs, movement, crafts, friends, and lots of fun! Wednesdays 10:30-11:15 am. No registration is needed during the school year.
K-2nd grade: Each month at Books and Beyond, we’ll explore themes with books, activities, games, and art.
3rd-6th grade: Tween Time offers a mix of cool crafts, art exploration, games, STEAM, and book talks of popular and classic literature.
K-6th grade: Lego Club: A different challenge/theme will be given at the start of each meeting.
Battle of the Books: The 2026 local competition is on Saturday, May 2nd at 10am at the First Presbyterian Church on the Park in Canton. Come cheer on the Canton area teams who have been reading and practicing for months!
For questions or registration, email Ms. Val at vwhite@ncls.org or
call 315-386-3712 ext. 4
Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Free Library and the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau.
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MORLEY BRANCH is open Tuesday 1pm-3pm; Wednesday 4pm-6pm; Thursday 10am-12pm. Call for more information: (315) 379-0066.
RENSSELAER FALLS BRANCH is open on Tuesdays from 11am – 5pm. Call the library at (315) 344-4155 for more information.
CANTON BRANCH is open 9am-6pm Monday – Friday; 10am-3pm Saturday. Contact us at (315) 386-3712 or cantonfreelibrary.org.