The Town of Ajax is inviting residents to share personal stories and engage in meaningful conversations at the return of the Age-Friendly Living Library event on April 18, 2026. Taking place at the Audley Recreation Centre Community Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event offers community members the opportunity to borrow human volunteers, known as Living Books, for 20-minute sessions to hear their unique life experiences.
Organized through a partnership between the Town of Ajax Recreation and Culture Department and the Ajax Public Library, the program aims to challenge assumptions and promote understanding through shared dialogue. This year’s lineup features 10 volunteers who will share narratives on a variety of themes, including grief, travel experiences, childhood perspectives, queer identity, and overcoming adversity.
The event is a key part of the town’s commitment to building an inclusive community for all ages. On January 18, 2026, the Ontario Government officially recognized Ajax as an Age-Friendly Community during the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association conference. With approximately 13.1% of the town’s 142,675 residents aged 65 and over, creating opportunities for intergenerational connection has become an important focus for local programming.
Residents interested in participating are encouraged to register online through the Town of Ajax website. While drop-ins are welcome, pre-registration is recommended to ensure availability and to secure a spot with a specific storyteller. Each volunteer has gone through a recruitment and interview process to prepare for these conversations, and the town has released promotional video trailers highlighting each participant’s story to help residents choose their sessions.
