November 2019

Welcoming Winter

As the the days get shorter and the weather turns from warm to wet, there's nothing quite like a great book, movie or game to settle in with.

We have launched our new selection of video games this month- yes video games!

You can borrow Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch games from your local library and check them out today!

More information here!

Be a Part of the Community!

You and 450,000 people are invited to get cozy and dig into ONE BOOK together. From Vancouver Island to Haida Gwaii, Bella Coola to the Gulf Islands, we’re all reading ONE BOOK and joining an online book club to discuss, to share, to learn, and to experience ONE BOOK. ONE COMMUNITY…

Glass Beads by Dawn Dumont tells the story of four Indigenous friends navigating life off-reserve and wrestling with identity, racism, cultural disinheritance, addictions and friendships.

The title was selected for its local, Indigenous authorship, as well as being a Canadian Urban Libraries Council pick for eReads Canada, where over 20 million Canadians gained access to the eBook copy during the month of June in celebration of Indigenous month.

Join The Club Here

Lest We forget

Whether you have family who fought in the past for our country, want to support current troops or simply are fascinated with an important part of Canadian history, there's a title in our collection for you.

Our librarians gathered a selection of thought-provoking titles for various audiences, from Rilla of Ingleside to the Secret history of Soldiers. You can travel back in time and experience some of the moments that created our collective history.

In Remembrance

Librarians on the Radio

Librarians on the Radio (LOTR) is an ongoing show in partnership with long running CHLY (101.7 FM). The goal of the episodes is to promote library services in the wider Vancouver Island community. The shows allow people to feel connected to more than just their local branches. The episodes also showcase librarians with passions and interests, including rousing book debates and covering topics such as movies, true crime radio stories, and even latkes. The show has changed somewhat in the last few months and we are looking to you, our amazing customers to ask what you'd like to hear!

What's New?

 

Taking on Storytime

Passing through Storytime at the Harbourfront branch in Nanaimo is always lively with songs, laughter and bouncing babies, but a few weeks ago it wasn't just the children who were excited, it was all the librarians! We had THE Dana Horrocks in the house. She is half of the very popular Storytime Library Blog and YouTube channel JBrary! Her other blog-half is Lindsey Krabbenhoft in Vancouver. VIRL is incredibly fortunate to have her on staff right so we caught up with her to find out a little more about how the project came to be, who the blog is for and what you can expect to find if you tune in.

All about Jbrary!

Fighting for free access!

Starting November 1, Macmillan Publishers is placing severe restrictions on libraries’ ability to lend popular digital content by allowing only one copy of any new eBook title for the first eight weeks after the book’s release. This will result in much longer wait times for any new eBook title from Macmillan.This affects all customers who are eBook fans, all you have to do is look at th waitlist for popular titles! To add to the frustration there are serious issues for people with various accessibility challenges. We spoke with Albert Ruel from the Canadian Council of the Blind to learn more about why we are fighting back!

eBooks and accessibility

Book Lover, what's your sign?

Scorpios, it’s time to drop your stingers and open your eyes to these great fall reads...they might just change your destiny!

Biblioscope

Whoooo has a story? Any ideas for our monthly Newsletter? We want to hear stories from YOUR community, and we'd love to answer questions that you have about what we offer! Want to suggest a topic, tell us about an interesting author or illustrator you know? Someone in your town making a difference in literacy? I have an idea!

Vancouver Island Regional Library   |    90 Commercial St. Nanaimo BC  |   info@virl.bc.ca