Adult

[All Ages]

Bowmanville Branch
Saturday, June 10
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Drop in; no registration required. No charge.

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Durham Children's Aid Society and Youth Pride Durham, and all libraries in Durham Region to present Drag Queen Story Time, featuring two fabulous queens. This family-friendly program showcases stories celebrating diversity and inclusion. Storytime will be followed by musical performances and a variety of fun activities, including popcorn and cotton candy.

Please note the Bowmanville Branch will be remaining open longer to accommodate this program.

Presented in partnership with Durham Children's Aid Society, Youth Pride Durham, and Durham Region Libraries.

Why Youth Pride

Drag Queen Storytime celebrates self-expression, instills a love of reading, and most of all is fun and representative! The books are age-appropriate stories which celebrate all aspects of diversity: race, age, ability, language, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If you want to learn more about why Drag Queen Storytime and Youth Pride events are important, we encourage you check out the “Why Youth Pride” info sheet.

Joint Statement from the Public Libraries of Durham Region

Every June, for the past five years, all public libraries in Durham Region have partnered with the Durham Children’s Aid Society and Youth Pride Durham to host a family-friendly community event called Drag Queen Storytime. Drag Queen Storytime is a storytime program attended by children with their parents and features stories and songs that celebrates diversity and teaches love, inclusion, and acceptance in a safe space. Every library supports the program by providing space and marketing the events to our respective communities.

We recognize that Durham Region is home to a variety of individuals and families, each with unique perspectives, experiences, and values. We deliver a range of programs and services that reflect and celebrate all members of our communities while acknowledging that not every book on our shelf or program we offer will be a good fit for each resident. These programs are selected based on our knowledge of our community and residents decide whether a program is a good fit for them and their family.

A large number of families in our community feel that Drag Queen Storytime speaks to their values. They express this through their continued attendance at the program every year and in their messages to us afterward. We hear often that the program offers a meaningful experience and a safe space for children and parents to talk about inclusion.

Public libraries have always championed the values underpinning a democratic society including free, open, and equitable access to a diversity of information and ideas, civic engagement, intellectual freedom, and freedom of speech. The public library remains an institution that helps build understanding for one another by being a welcoming and inclusive public space for all.