Special Collections

Grab & Go Book Bags Includes 7 books in each backpack. Available as themed kits (Starting School, My Family, Opposites, My Body, etc.) or a surprise mix!

Grab & Go Plus Themed backpacks with books, activities and toys to both educate and enjoy! Some themes include: On the Farm, My Community, Dinosaurs, Space, Things that Go, and more!

Healthy Brain Kit 1 is designed for any adult who wants to work on their brain health. 

“While there are some risk factors you cannot control for dementia, such as age and genetics, reducing the effects of risk factors that can be controlled is possible. By engaging with brain healthy activities, you’re not only reducing your risk of dementia, you’re also reducing your risk of other cognitive and chronic diseases and protecting your overall health.” (Alzheimer Society Canada, 2024)

Healthy Brain Kits 2 – 5 include activities for people living with dementia and their care supporters. 

The kits aim to evoke memories, spark conversation, and create opportunities for meaningful engagement. Each kit is tailored to ability specific activities and strengths that will provide a sense of accomplishment and contribution, which is important for everyone, including people living with dementia.

Learning a new language can be challenging! We have a variety of resources to help with grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation of spoken and written English for all ages. These items are all stickered on the spine with a literacy sticker.

English Language Learning & ESL Resources: Language instruction and workbooks, available for children and adults.

English Language Readers (Adult) (Kids): Includes readers for new literates (whether that means English is your first or second language).  These include high interest, low-vocabulary books as well.

Language Kits: For hands on, fun and effective language development (flash cards, games, and kits)

Decodable Books: Science shows that the most efficient way to learn a word so it can be instantly recognized in the future is by “decoding” it. Decoding means using knowledge of letter sounds and English spelling patterns to “sound out” a word. Decodable books include text that has been carefully written using evidence-based strategies to support reading development.

Dyslexia Friendly: Decodable books are wonderful for all new readers, but access to this type of book is vital for children with dyslexia. We have series of decodables that have the additional advantage of also being written in dyslexia friendly font.  We also have a selection of regular chapter books that are written in Dyslexia friendly font. 

DVDs: We have a small collection of engaging Literacy DVDs

Other Helpful Resources: These items are not labelled specifically as Literacy items but are helpful for anyone learning to read. 

• High-Interest / Low-Vocabulary Books (or just High-Low)
• Graphic Novels
• Levelled Readers
• Read-Along Collection
• Yoto Phonics
• Mango Languages – Build communication skills in 70+ world languages, including English. Explore new languages by practicing realistic conversations

Ontario Parks Passes provides day use access to over 100 provincial parks subject to park regulations. Valid until posted hours of closing during the operating season. Visit the Ontario Parks Website to find the list of Provincial Parks.

Borrow a pedometer toolkit and track your steps!

Each Pedometer Kit includes:

• 1 pedometer and operating instructions
• Elgin-St. Thomas Cycling & Hiking Trail Map
• Let’s Get Active – One Step at a Time
• Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines
• Laminated calendar

We have a variety of Read-along formats all designed for children to follow the pictures of a storybook while a narrator reads the words. Physical read-alongs can be borrowed for 4 weeks.

Books and CDs includes 1 book and 1 audio CD.

Playaway bookpacks includes 1 Playaway audio player and associated book(s). Both picture books and chapter books are available in this collection. This device requires a battery and headphones or an AUX cord and speaker to operate.

Wonderbooks: A print book with a ready-to-play audiobook built in. These play out loud or can be used with personal headphones. Each Wonderbook has a ‘Read-along’ and ‘Learning’ mode. These are a hot item! Please note there is a maximum of 3 holds and 3 checkouts at any one time for Wonderbooks.

Read-along Digital Collection

Access hundreds of digital read-along stories on your computer of smart device.

• OverDrive/Libby Read-alongs (Libby Help & Support)
• Hoopla Read-alongs

How Our Seed Libraries Work:

Call an Elgin County Library branch with a Seed Library – Belmont, Dutton, Port Stanley, Shedden, Springfield – and place your seed order. Unsure if the seeds you want are available? Ask then, too! Then pick up your seeds during the branch’s open hours using your Elgin County Library card. Questions? Please email or call your branch or (519) 631-1460 x 109 for further information.

1. Borrow! Stop by one of our seed library branches (Belmont, Dutton, Port Stanley, Shedden & Springfield) and request an Order Form with our current collection of seeds. Check out up to 6 seed packets per family with your Elgin County Library card for free.
2. Grow! Plant seeds; learn how to grow; have fun and experiment!
3. Return! If you’re able to collect and return seeds in the fall we would be so grateful.

More info is available on our dedicated Seed Library webpage.

CELA – Centre for Equitable Library Access Collection

Elgin County Library’s CELA Collection

• Elgin County has a collection of Daisy Readers available to borrow along with a Daisy CD collection to try out.

Also available are:

• Magnifying Sheets
• Portable Text Reading Devices – Magnifying reading devices are available for check out with a power cord and instructions.

Browse our full Visual Accessibility Collection in our catalogue.

Screen free, ad-free audio that lets kids lead the way! We have two distinct Yoto Collections for you to borrow!

Yoto Bundles let you try the full Yoto experience! Each bundle is organized by audience level and includes a Yoto audio player, charging cord, and 6-8 curated Yoto cards that include stories, activities and music.

If you already have your own Yoto player at home, we also have a full collection of Yoto Cards to borrow (or you can listen with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology by downloading the Yoto App and tapping the card to your phone).

Check out our full collection here!