New to Canada

The public library is a good place to start learning about your new community. There is a lot to learn—and we are here to help you. It’s free to get a card and join the library. Our trained staff can help you find the information you need in person, by phone or email.

Find information that helps you prepare for the Canadian Citizenship test, such as the names of local elected officials, and electoral maps for Burlington and surrounding areas.

This section lists resources and websites to help you learn or improve your English.

ESL Language Training Centres in Burlington

ESL Language Resources at the library

The library has ESL (English as a second language) kits which contain CDs, booklets and/or DVDs for three learning levels: beginners, intermediate and advanced speakers.

To help improve your English, please ask staff to find you a book that is also available as a Book-on-CD. You will be able to read and listen to the book at the same time.

You can also check out the library's collection of eAudiobooks and eBooks.

Easy Read and Read-Along Books

The library has lots of reading and listening material for ESL customers. Check out our Adult Easy Reads and Read-Along book lists for great fiction and non-fiction titles suitable for those learning the English language.

Adult Easy Read – Read-alongs
Adult Easy Read – Classics
Adult Easy Read – Popular
Adult Easy Read – Mystery
Adult Easy Read – Supernatural and Science Fiction
Adult Easy Read – Suspense
Adult Easy Read – Romance

Language Tests

TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language)
IELTS (International English Language Testing)
Basic and complete English language courses are available through the library's PowerSpeak Languages
TOEIC and TOEFL guides and practice tests are also available through the library's LearningExpress database.

Online International Newspapers

Find your favourite international newspapers by accessing NewspaperDirect.

This section helps you find Newcomer community services to help you settle in Burlington. Staff are happy to direct you to community and government pamphlets available at all of our locations.

For more information about Burlington community services also look at Halton Community Services Database. You can also call 311 for government information or 211 for community information in your language.

Information for Newcomers to Canada and Halton Region

This site will help you to access local services in Halton for example, help with findaing a job, enrolling your children in school, learning English, and finding a place to live.

Services For Children