This isn't just any email...it's library news!

Happy Holidays! December 2024

NEWS

A pair of hands hold one of the paper snowflakes spread out over a tabletop.

Top 10 Winter Crafts

Cozy up and craft this season with 10 wonderful winter crafts from Creativebug. We’ve pulled together fun craft ideas you can do on your own or with friends this season, from candles to salt dough ornaments, wreaths and knitted mitts.

Creativebug is a online craft tutorial resource that's free with your library card.

Let's get crafting!

A library worker stands among stacks of books and holds out a library card.

Give the gift of library

We have the perfect stocking stuffer - a library card!

Library cards are like limitless gift cards, offering access to books, eBooks, video games, streaming music and films, craft tutorials and more! The best part? The cards are free, there's no shipping, you don't have to push through shopping crowds to get one and we've put them in festive packaging for the season.

Visit your local branch to pick up a card for adults or children.

Find a branch near you

A tiny potted Christmas tree stands near a tall stack of books.

Closed for the holidays

All library branches will be closed for the holidays on December 25, 26 and 27 and again on January 1. For unexpected branch closures, such as due to power outages or weather events, please check our website or your local branch Facebook page.

Need resources over the holidays? Our online library is always open. Find eBooks, digital audiobooks, streaming music and more!

Browse our online library

A mailbox with flyers sticking out of the slots.

Library services affected by Canada Post strike

Vancouver Island Regional Library services are affected by the Canada Post strike.

Due to the ongoing strike, customers are no longer able to place holds on items for Books by Mail or Interlibrary loans, although, items in our regular catalogue (virl.bc.ca) are still available.

New magazine deliveries are disrupted at our branches; there are delays or disruptions in lending for BC One Card materials and rural branches that receive materials by Canada Post will experience delays. We're sorry for any challenges this causes our library users and will keep you updated on the situation through our website.

Canada Post strike information

Upcoming events

A bird cage has been created from the pages of a book. It has little cutouts of birds and butterflies around it.

Bad book art night

Join the Port Hardy library for a night of fun and book art on December 18 from 6-7pm.

This session will be about creating a Christmas tree from discarded books.

Everyone is welcome to join this free event.

Send this link to a friend

Stuffed animals are sitting andstanding near a stack of children's books.

Stuffie Sleepover

Children can bring their stuffed animals to the Sooke library for a winter-themed sleepover, December 19.

Children drop off their stuffed friends before 5 pm for a stuffie-only night at the library. The stuffie will be returned the next day with a personalized booklet showing all the fun they had. Children of all ages are welcome. Space is limited.

Sleepover registration

A hand, holds a paintbrush, and paints a leaf onto a blank canvas.

Watercolour painting

Bring in the winter solstice as a family with watercolour painting at the Cumberland library, December 21.

This event, hosted in partnership with the Little Cumberland Connections Early Years Group, is great for children ages 1.5-8 years (accompanied by a parent/guardian). It's free and runs from 10 am - 12 pm.