Well Read- July 2021

July 2021

New podcast hits airwaves

Library fans can now listen to a little of the library wherever they roam this summer, thanks to a new podcast from staff at Vancouver Island Regional Library.

Meet Me in the Stacks, a podcast for bookish people, already has five episodes under its belt, with topics ranging from interviews with authors, academics and people in the book business to recurring segments with hidden-gem reading recommendations.

You don’t have to be an avid reader to find enjoyment in this show, but of course if you are, you definitely don’t want to miss an episode.

Listen in

Powerful art on display

A replica of The Witness Blanket, a powerful art installation recognizing the atrocities of the Residential School era, is on display at the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library until Sept.30.

Created by master carver Carey Newman, The Witness Blanket honours the children of the residential school era and symbolizes ongoing reconciliation.

Stop by and see the exhibit for yourself.

Learn more

Masks recommended for visitors

In another step forward in our road to recovery, B.C. health officials have announced that the province has moved to the third step of its COVID-19 Restart Plan. More restrictions are being lifted, including mandatory mask wearing indoors.

Masks are still recommended when visiting the library and other safety measures remain in place, including plexiglass barriers, physical distancing and limited capacity. For more information on this next phase, please visit the BC Restart Plan website.

BC Restart

Adult Summer Reading Challenge kicks off

Summer reading challenges aren't just for kids! Vancouver Island Regional Library has a mystery-themed bingo for this year's Adult Summer Reading Challenge. Explore new titles, have fun and earn the chance to win great prizes.

To start, pick up a bingo sheet at your local branch, download it or try our online version of the game. The challenge runs from June 28-August 31.

Get started!

Join the Quest!

Teens will journey across Middle Earth to complete activities and win prizes during Teen Summer Quest 2021. In the Lord of the Rings-themed quest, teens aged 12-18, can check off challenges like geocaching, learning macrame and creating a Hobbit name as they trek across Vancouver Island Regional Library's Middle Earth map.

Completed activities can be submitted for the chance to win prizes like Beats by Dr. Dre Studio3 Headphones, an iPod Touch, a $100 gift card to a bookstore and more. Teens can also participate in the quest virtually.

The challenge goes from June 29-August 31.

Learn more

New tournament challenges coders

Put your code to the test in Vancouver Island Regional Library's inaugural Battlesnake contest. During this free event, coders can create a computer program - a battlesnake - and hone it by putting it in a battle arena with competitors' programs.

A live-stream tournament will happen on August 26 where prizes and bragging rights are on the line. First place also looks great on a resume.

Entry is now open.

Register now!

Join the fun with Summer Reading Club

Learn to draw with artist Zoe Si

Listen in to hear Zoe Si's journey to becoming an illustrator and learn to draw your own detective characters in this live, Zoom workshop.

Zoe Si is a cartoonist, freelance illustrator and lawyer. She believes in the power of words, but also that wherever words fail, a mildly disparaging cartoon can usually succeed.

A workshop for children aged 9-12 happens July 13 at 6 pm. A workshop for children aged 5-8 is on July 15 at 11 am.

Register now!

Get your dancing shoes on!

Join us for a special Carmen Sandiego-themed online dance class with the Sooke Dance Studio. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and grab some water as we will be getting our bodies moving.

No prior dance experience is required for this class. Register to get the details for this live, Zoom event.

The dance class takes place on Zoom July 14 at 2 pm.

Register now!

Join our movie watch party

There’s a mystery afoot! Help Bear find his hat with a movie night as we all tune into Kanopy Kids and click play at the same time to watch I Want My Hat Back!

Families will need to use their VIRL card to log on to Kanopy Kids and hit play themselves on the video at 6:00 pm on August 10. At 6:15pm we invite everyone to join in on Zoom for more mysteries with a readaloud, felt and a craft!

Register now!

Check out the Summer Reading Club website for more events.

What's up with OverDrive and Libby?

Many of our customers have tried our already popular eBook and eAudiobook collections for the first time in the past year. In this month's Legit Librarian Hacks, we answer some of the most common questions we get about the two services, like what the difference between OverDrive and Libby is and how to ask the library to purchase an OverDrive book.