Happy National Volunteer Week!

Volunteers make Bowen Island Library the special place it is. In fact, we wouldn't exist if it weren't for the volunteers who started Bowen Library!

This week we celebrate the front-of-house and behind-the-scenes people who commit their time and skills to helping the public access the resources, learning, and information they need.

Our circulation, book processing, programming, fund-raising, board member volunteers—please raise a glass (from home) to these fantastic individuals!

Bowen Library ...Online!

It's been a month since our closure, and we miss our library patrons! But did you know that while we're closed, you can still access so much from the Bowen Library, using your smartphone, tablet, computer, or e-reader?

• Learn more about our resources for adults and children here
• See our Complete List of Electronic Resources here
• See our closure updates here
• And keep scrolling down to see this month's featured online services (hint: learn ukulele from home and access eBooks easily!)

We hope you'll keep in touch with us via Facebook, email, and our e-Newsletter, and stay tuned for updates on our online offerings, future programs, and more.

Need a Library Card?

If you don't yet have a Bowen Library card, no problem—patrons can apply for one online.

You can access our many eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, video courses, film streaming, and learning tools online, via our website, but for many of these, you will need a Bowen Library card. 

Apply for a Library Card

Library Takeout Service Suspended

Dear Patrons,

With an overabundance of caution, Bowen Island Library has decided to discontinue our pilot project to provide outdoor pickup of library materials, with the exception of Med Shed items. In the absence of clear guidelines or protocols for the handling of library materials, it is best to reduce risks to patrons and staff whenever possible.

Library staff would very much like to provide our community with physical library materials, as it pains us to think of all the books sitting here on our shelves, that could be enjoyed by our patrons. The pilot pickup service was much appreciated and our hygiene protocols made it very low risk; however, as a non-essential service, we must heed the advice and recommendations of our health authorities and governments. Physical distancing, non-contact and the plea for citizens to stay at home are all reasons for us to wait until the right time to offer physical materials service.

The service is suspended effective immediately. We established good hygiene protocols and developed a workable plan for pickup service in the future and know that when the time is right we can reinstate this service as a first step towards a return to fully opening the library again.

We will continue lending medical equipment from our Med Shed service. As with all library materials currently checked out, we will not accept returns of our medical equipment until a later date. Patrons can request these items by emailing us or placing a hold in our catalogue, and pick up will be by appointment. You can find more information about Med Shed borrowing during our closure here.

Information about the other services we can offer during our closure is available here and if you need help using technology or accessing our digital resources you can always reach out to us by email or by phone at 604-947-9788

I hope you are all staying well and safe. Thank you everyone for your understanding and patience as we all navigate this challenging new reality.

Warm regards,
Tina Nielsen
Chief Librarian

Med Shed Lending Continues

While we are not currently able to lend out books, DVDs, and other items in our regular collection, we are still continuing to lend out medical equipment.

Patrons can place a hold from our catalogue, or contact us to request to borrow medical equipment. Pick up will be by appointment only.

Please note that, as with all library materials checked out, we cannot accept returns of medical equipment at this time. Please keep all your library materials at home until the library has re-opened. All items currently out have extended due dates, to be further extended if needed. No fines will be charged for any overdues during this closure.

Find Out More

Bowen Island Municipality's Emergency Program

Did you know that the Municipality has a comprehensive emergency program? You can find information on the state of emergency planning on Bowen Island here, as well as register for emergency notifications via email and text: 

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/emergency-program

Find the Emergency Operations Centre updates here, and consider staying informed about all Municipality goings-on by signing up for their e-newsletters here.

New Book List: "Books Can Help!"

Need some book recommendations? Our latest book list, "Books Can Help!", includes links to eBooks & eAudiobooks in our catalogue.

In this list, we suggest titles that will: 

• lift your mood
• pass the time, and
• give you something else to think about!

See Our Book List

Tech Help Available

The Bowen Library's friendly Tech Tutor, Leo, is available remotely!

Need help accessing eBooks? Can't get into your email? New to Zoom? Trying to share a file? Facetime not behaving? Setting up a new device?

Email us to arrange one-on-one remote help with your tech issues.

Find Out More

ArtistWorks

ArtistWorks for Libraries provides patrons with world-class instruction through self-paced video lessons from Grammy Award-winning music and artistic professionals.

Access musical and artistic instruction, from introduction to advanced performance, in piano, voice, ukulele, mandolin, clarinet, fiddle, jazz guitar, harmonica, flute, banjo, trumpet, percussion, music theory and many more!

Access ArtistWorks with your Bowen Library account.

Go To ArtistWorks

Libby App for eBooks & eAudiobooks on Your Smartphone or Tablet

You can access eBooks & eAudioBooks from Bowen Library in a variety of ways. An easy way is via the Libby app for smartphones and tablets.

Access the BC Libraries Cooperative's Library2Go collection, and filter by availability, new items, genre, language, and more.

Download the Libby app to your smart device from your app store.

Learn More

TumbleBooks: Children's eBooks, Read-Alongs, Graphic Novels, Non-Fiction...

...and more are available from TumbleBooks. Instant access, no waitlist or placing holds! Click here to get to our Kids' page, then click on the TumbleBooks links to access:

• Tumblebooks – Online K-6 children’s ebook database
• TumbleMath – K-6 math ebook database

TeenBookCloud & AudioBookCloud: Teens' & YA eBooks, Graphic Novels, Non-Fiction...

...and more are available from TumbleBooks. Instant access, no waitlist or placing holds! Click here to get to our Teens' page, then click on the TumbleBooks links to access:

• TeenBookCloud – gr 7-12 ebook database
• AudioBookCloud – an audiobook database for teens/adults

eBooks & eAudiobooks

Access eBooks & eAudiobooks using the Libby or OverDrive app on your smart device, or download to your computer or eReader.

Want to see what items are available right now? Check the eBooks Available Now and Audiobooks Available Now search options.

Need help accessing eBooks? Contact us with your questions or to book a remote help session with our Tech tutor. You can also find more info here.

Hot tip! For the month of April, Library2Go's #HarryPotterAtHome campaign is making unlimited e-copies of the first Harry Potter book available, no wait time!

Library Open Hours

Tues. Wed. & Fri. 10 am-5 pm
Thurs. 12 pm - 7 pm
Sat. & Sun. 11 am - 4 pm
Closed Mondays

Contact Us

(604) 947-9788
bowenlibrary.ca
info@bowenlibrary.ca
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