Middlesex County Library Board Meeting Highlights – May 26, 2026
Library Board Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by the Middlesex County Library Board at business meetings. The Library Board Highlights are not an official record of Board proceedings. To view official agendas and minutes, please visit Middlesex Meetings and Minutes.
EarlyON Sees Strong Growth, Expands Family Programs Across Middlesex County
The Library Board received a report outlining the success of its first quarter EarlyON programming and what’s coming up for summer 2026. Between January and March, 1,697 children and 1,322 caregivers took part in programs, generating more than 6,100 visits across 10 locations.
Enhanced funding from County Council allowed EarlyON to expand evening and weekend programming, improving access for working families. New offerings, including Evening Explorers and Weekend Explorers, have seen strong participation. Special events such as Family Day programming and March Break activities complemented regular schedules, while virtual sessions and partnerships with health and child development experts provided additional support for caregivers. A variety of programs are helping children and families prepare for a successful transition to kindergarten, aimed at building foundational skills, fostering confidence, and connecting caregivers with helpful resources for the school journey.
Looking ahead to Summer, Middlesex EarlyON will introduce several new initiatives and continue to offer a variety of in-person and virtual programs that foster children's growth and development. Programs include Autism Connections, a specialized drop-in program to support children under six with autism and their caregivers, Little Sensory Seekers, which uses lights, shadows, and transparent materials to stimulate imagination and creativity, and the Outdoor Adventure Program, which encourages children to take the lead in their own learning while engaging with the natural world around them.
To learn more, read the full EarlyON Program Update, Quarter 1.
Transition to the Polaris Integrated Library System set for June
The Library Board received a presentation highlighting how the library is preparing to launch its new Polaris Integrated Library System on June 24, 2026, marking its first major software upgrade since 2015. Polaris is a secure, web-based platform that will maintain the current public catalogue while improving internal workflows. The project has included months of testing, data migration, and staff preparation, with 10 in-person training sessions delivered to branch employees.
An offline period is planned from June 15 to 21, during which some services, such as check-ins, holds, and new registrations may be temporarily unavailable. Nevertheless, the public interface will remain unchanged, and checkout services may continue in offline mode. The launch and offline period will coincide with the fine-free pilot program, aimed at improving access and demonstrating the value of library services to the community.
Read the full Polaris Software Migration Update for more information.
Rob Harmer Memorial Tree Installed at Thorndale Library
The Middlesex County Library Board formally expressed appreciation to the Thorndale Dinner Theatre committee for their contribution of a Memorial Tree art installation in honour of long-time volunteer Rob Harmer at the Thorndale Library. Harmer, who passed away in June 2023, was a dedicated theatre volunteer and frequently contributed to art exhibits at the library.
The interactive artwork is in the children’s area and features a hand-painted tree and three-dimensional leaves. Children are invited to display their own artwork on the tree, creating an ongoing tribute that celebrates creativity and community connection. Read the full Rob Harmer Memorial Tree at Thorndale Library report for more information.