March 2026
Open For Submissions
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Come Back May 9 to Vote!
Come Back May 20 to Vote!
Many adorable pets have entered the race.
Next, we decide which ones earn a place.
Who will soon have a reason to gloat?
Come back May 9 to cast your vote!
Winners announced on May 30
Many adorable pets have entered the race,
and earned many votes with their cute face!
Now it's time to count up the votes,
come back soon to see who had the most!
We asked to see your adorable pets—and you delivered! Now, it’s time to vote for our furry, feathered or scaly friends that will be named CPL’s Cutest Pets. Take a look at the entries below and vote for your favorite in each category from May 9-16, 2024 to advance onto the final round of voting.
We'll also need your help deciding a winner. From May 20-27, 2024, take a look at the top three entries in each category and vote for your favorite. Or, if you are visiting the library, stop by our physical display to cast your vote.
The winners in each category with the most votes will be announced on our Facebook page on May 30, 2024. Winners will be contacted directly by CPL's official Facebook page to pick up their prize.
Other Pets
Cats
Dogs
Cutest Pet Contest Winners
January 2026
Not sure which resource will help with your research? Looking to learn something new but not sure where to start? Click through the questions to help narrow down the choices.
October 2025
Experience the Dark Skies of Michigan
What Can I See Tonight?
Harvest Moon
The Full Moon closest to the September equinox is called the Harvest Moon.
Mercury
Slightly difficult to see
Visible only after sunset
Venus
Fairly good visibility
View just before sunrise
Mars
Slightly difficult to see
View just after sunset
Jupiter
Fairly good visibility
View before sunrise
Saturn
Perfect visibility
Up most of the night
Uranus
Average visibility
View in the early morning
Neptune
Slightly difficult to see
Up most of the night
View more details, including interactive maps, about the night sky tonight.
What Can I See Tonight?
Harvest Moon
The Full Moon closest to the September equinox is called the Harvest Moon.
Mercury
Slightly difficult to see
Visible only after sunset
Venus
Fairly good visibility
View just before sunrise
Mars
Slightly difficult to see
View just after sunset
Jupiter
Fairly good visibility
View before sunrise
Saturn
Perfect visibility
Up most of the night
Uranus
Average visibility
View in the early morning
Neptune
Slightly difficult to see
Up most of the night
View more details, including interactive maps, about the night sky tonight.
Where Are the Best Places to See the Night Sky?
Escape light pollution and witness a night sky brimming with stars, thanks to these incredible spots. And don't forget the Upper Peninsula – it offers some truly exceptional night sky viewing opportunities!
DarkSky International Parks
Dark sky parks are designated by the DarkSky International.
A Headlands Dark Sky Park, opens a new window
B Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, opens a new window
C Dr. T.K. Lawless Park, opens a new window
D Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary, opens a new window
Dark Sky Preserves
Dedicated by the State of Michigan as a Dark Sky Preserve, open 24 hours. These specially protected areas are marked with signage.
E Lake Hudson Recreation Area, opens a new window
F Port Crescent State Park, opens a new window - No winter plowing, visitors can hike from the parking lot to the preserve.
G Negwegon State Park, opens a new window - No winter plowing.
H Rockport Recreation Area, opens a new window - Plowed in the winter.
I Thompson's Harbor State Park, opens a new window - Plowed in the winter.
J Wilderness State Park, opens a new window - No winter plowing; however, area near park headquarters is plowed.
Other Dark Places to Visit
K Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, opens a new window
L Isle Royale National Park, opens a new window
M Whitefish Point, opens a new window
N Tahquamenon Falls State Park, opens a new window
O Porcupine Mountains State Park, opens a new window
August 2025
Art is All Around Us
Art is All Around Us
Have you seen some of the art located around Canton? Click through the clues to test your knowledge of Canton's art.
For more information about the art and even more art you can find around Canton, check out the Canton Creativity: Sculptures and Art in Canton blog.
Have you seen some of the art located around Canton? Click through the clues to test your knowledge of Canton's art.
For more information about the art and even more art you can find around Canton, check out the Canton Creativity: Sculptures and Art in Canton blog.
May 2025
GRADES K-5
GRADES 6-8
ADULT
GRADES 9-12
POPULAR VOTE
- 3/12-3/19: Submissions open on social media
- 3/24-3/31: First round of voting online on Canton Connections
- 4/2-4/9: Second round of voting online on Canton Connections and hopefully a physical display
- 4/11: National Pet Day and winners are announced
February 2025
We asked for your help getting ready for the best 62 days of the year—and you delivered! Now it's time to vote for your favorite design showing how you can level up your summer experience. Take a look at the entries below and vote for your favorite sticker design from February 24 - March 11, 2025. One vote per person.
The winning designs will be turned into stickers and given out as part of our 62 Days of Summer program. Winners will be contacted.
"*" indicates required fields
February 2025
Submissions for the 62 Days Sticker Design Contest are now closed. Library staff will select a winner for each age category. Come back on February 24 to vote for a popular vote winner.
February 2025
Help us get ready for 62 Days of Summer—the best 62 days of the year— by creating a sticker design that shows how you can level up your summer experience.
The winning designs will be turned into stickers and given out as part of our 62 Days of Summer program.
Key entry tips:
Submit a family-friendly design that is two inches in diameter.
Create an original design from your own imagination.
Read the entire contest waiver, sign and return it with your submission. If you are under 18 years old, your parent or guardian must also sign.
Online submissions are preferred, but you may submit a design in person at the Children’s Desk.
Submissions will be accepted February 3-18, 2025. There will be a winner for each age category selected by library staff and a popular vote winner selected by online community voting. Age categories are K-Grade 5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, and Adult. Winners will be contacted.
62 Days Sticker Design Contest Waiver
Agreement to Terms of Submission
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understand, and agree to the terms outlined in this waiver. If I am the parent or guardian of a minor Participant, I consent to their participation and confirm the terms on their behalf.
- Ownership and Rights
- By submitting the artwork (“Artwork”), the Participant grants Canton Public Library a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, adapt, distribute, and display the Artwork in any manner, including but not limited to the creation of stickers, marketing materials, and promotional activities related to the library’s programs.
- Canton Public Library reserves the right to modify the Artwork as needed for production or other purposes.
- Originality of Artwork
- The Participant affirms that the Artwork submitted is their original, non-AI generated work and does not infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights.
- Release of Liability
- The Participant, or the parent/guardian of a minor Participant, Canton Public Library, its staff, representatives, and affiliates from any liability related to the use of the Artwork, including but not limited to claims of copyright infringement or other legal disputes arising from the Artwork.
- Privacy
- The Participant agrees that their name may be credited alongside their Artwork. If they prefer not to have their name publicly associated with the Artwork, they must notify Canton Public Library in writing.
- Age Confirmation
- Participants 18 years or older: By signing below, I affirm that I am at least 18 years old and authorized to agree to the terms of this waiver.
- Participants under 18 years old: A parent or legal guardian must complete the consent section below.
January 2025
62 Days Sticker Design Contest Begins February 3rd
Help us get ready for the best 62 days of the year by creating a sticker design that shows how you can level up your summer experience. Winning designs will be turned into stickers to be handed out this summer. You can submit your design February 3-18, 2025.
November 2024
Learn more about some of our new and best spots to read, study, collaborate, or spend the afternoon!
Learn more about some of our new and best spots to read, study, collaborate, or spend the afternoon!
Learn more about some of our new and best spots to read, study, collaborate, or spend the afternoon!
September 2024
Birding
New to birding? Try this free online birding essentials course. Then check out the sections below to start your flight into the world of birding.
Apps to Learn About and Identify Birds
- Merlin Bird ID (Cornell Labs) helps you identify birds around you with the world's largest database of bird sightings, sounds, and photos.
- Audubon Bird Guide (National Audubon Society) offers a free and complete field guide to over 800 species of North American birds.
- eBird Mobile features migration maps, pictures, songs and hotspots that connect you to eBird, opens a new window, a global online database which shares your data for scientific research, education, and conservation.
Track Bird Migrations
BirdCast's live bird migration map will help you track large movements of birds across the United States. See which birds are traveling across our area with the Michigan migration dashboard.
Find a Birding Hotspot
Connect with Other Birders
- The iNaturalist app features a social network to share with fellow naturalists and contribute to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
- The Piper Plover is a protected shorebird that nests along the Great Lakes shore. Volunteer with Great Lakes Piping Plover to monitor nesting activities and join the community.
- Grow your love of birding through the Detroit Bird Alliance. They create community through events, tips and guides.
- Through conservation, education and research, the Michigan Audubon connects birds and people. They sponsor trips, workshops and tours.
- Visit the Washtenaw County Bird Watching webpage for information on birds and birding events and to track local birding hotspots.
June 2024
Conversation Starters
Do you enjoy meeting new people at the library but sometimes feel nervous about making conversation? If so, here are some starters for you. Give them a try and see if they help you feel more relaxed.
Tips for meeting new people
◉ Break the ice with a smile.
◉ Put your phone away.
◉ Be curious and ask questions.
◉ Be yourself—people want the real you so they can express the real them.
◉ Start with an off-script question (not the typical "what do you do") or a statement about something you observe or are curious about ("this painting really confuses me").
◉ Avoid idioms and slang.
◉ Speak clearly and actively listen.
◉ Make an effort to learn and say their name correctly if it's new to you.
◉ Give someone a compliment to shift the focus to them and make them feel good.
◉ Accept that it might be awkward for a bit, but if you keep going, you'll hopefully get to having a real conversation.
March 2024
Canton is named after the city in China. There are several Cantons in the U.S., all named after the Chinese port town.
Most of Canton’s original settlers were from New York, Vermont, or England. They brought with them Greek Revival architecture to build their new homes in Canton.
Canton was known as the “Sweet Corn Capital of the World” from 1925-1970. Wheat was also a very important cash crop, and dairy farming came into its own as well. In fact, there was once a cheese factory on what is now Canton Center Road.
There was once a wooden bridge on Denton Road where several people reported seeing a ghostly “blue lady” and unexplained glowing orbs of light. Legend has it that a woman was murdered on the bridge and her baby, who was with her, was never to be found.
There were several one-room schoolhouses in Canton, including Cherry Hill, Hanford, Hough, Truesdell, and Canton Center. Canton Center School was the last operating one-room schoolhouse in Wayne County until it closed in 1962, and it is now the Canton Historical Museum.
Many roads in Canton are named after farmers who were early settlers (such as Haggerty, Hanford, Lilley, Sheldon, and Palmer).
Potholes were just as much of a problem back in the 1800s. Farmers paid taxes for road repairs, but they could also pay by fixing the roads themselves. Farmers could also charge passersby a fee for helping them get out of potholes!
Ridge Road and Michigan Avenue were former Native American trails. The Potawatomi Trail turned into Ridge Road, and the Old Sauk Trail turned into Michigan Avenue. These Native American trails played an important role in the location of early settlements.
“Haggerty House,” the mansion located at Canton Center Road and Palmer Road, built in 1896 by John S. Haggerty, former Michigan Secretary of State, has been vacant since 2011 when owner John Lasko died. Lasko’s trust forbids anyone from stepping foot on the property.
In 1942, Henry Ford acquired the historic Cherry Hill School (originally built as a log cabin in the 1830s), spending $20,000 on improvements and adding the school to the Greenfield Village school system. After Ford’s death in 1947, the school was annexed to the Plymouth School District, and it now belongs to Canton Township.
January 2024
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December 2023
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Need some inspiration?
November 2023
Need some inspiration?
October 2023
Open For Submissions
Does your pet have an awesome Halloween costume? Enter them in our Pet Halloween Costume Contest! Comment with a picture of your pet on our Facebook post to enter them in the contest. Don't have Facebook? Use the form below to enter.
Come Back Tomorrow to Vote!
The pets have all dressed up for Halloween night,
some of them even gave us a fright!
There are so many costumes, too many to note,
come back tomorrow to cast your vote!
Winners announced on Halloween
The pets have all dressed up for Halloween night,
some of them even gave us a fright!
Now it's time to count up the votes,
come back on Halloween to see who had the most!
August 2023
What started as an agricultural community has transformed into a diverse community full of awe and wonder. Use this scavenger hunt to discover pieces of Canton’s history, newer landmarks, and things in between. For added fun, take a picture and share it with the library on social media!
Prefer a paper copy to take with you?
Canton isn’t just a welcoming community for people, but for pollinators as well! We especially like the newest pollinator garden as its close to our favorite place in Canton. Can you find it?
It took 100 years to become the 10th largest school district, but only 45 more to become the 5th largest district. Find the newest public school in Canton.
The oldest school in Canton was built by the first settlers to the area in 1834! It was a log cabin, but was replaced with a (slightly) more modern building in 1876. Where did Canton’s first students attend school?
Canton has done a wonderful job repurposing historic sites. For example, you might enjoy being pampered at this salon located in the historic Cherry Hill Inn. What business is in the old inn?
Canton dogs deserve a social life (if they’re into being social that is)! What park is for the canine residents of Canton?
Eminem, Jimmy Page, and Ted Nugent have all recorded in Canton. But where?
Sculptures come and go, but Chuck? Ford Rd. is his home now. Can you find him?
In the summer, this park is a refreshing haven for both humans and animals. Whether you want the joyful noise of the splash pad or the peace of Fellows Creek you’ll find it here. Which park is it?
Gold medalist Olympians have called this Canton ice rink their home. If you want to escape the hot weather with an open skate you should find this arena.
No one lives on this estate, and no one will for a very long time. The last owner created a trust to care for the house and 20 acres of property when he died. Do you know this mansion?
This playground has something for everyone! There is a section for toddlers and one for children between the ages of 5-12. Nonverbal friends can use a communication board to express their needs. Which park is this?
This colorful installation was designed by a CPL Librarian, who used 21 covers from old picture books to create this high flying photo op. Can you find this artwork hanging on a wall? Don’t forget to take a pic of yourself in front of it when you flutter by!
July 2023
Celebrate Canton Parks
Share Your Canton Park Photos
Share memories and photos of your favorite Canton park outings
