GVPL

The GVPL’s James Bay Branch is among those on limited hours due to COVID-19 impacts. (Black Press Media file photo)

Libraries on reduced hours across Greater Victoria

Esquimalt in limbo as it awaits new branch opening

 

Librarian Kaitlin Ottenereit holds up one of the Greater Victoria Public Library’s most-borrowed books of 2021, Untamed by Glennon Doyle. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Greater Victoria Public Library announces most-borrowed books of 2021

More than 1.8 million library items accessed in 2021

 

Former education minister Rob Fleming and Premier John Horgan read to children at the James Bay Library during a previous summer visit. This year’s BC Summer Reading Club, staged by the Greater Vuctoria Public Library, is open to children under 13 and will feature artwork from Vancouver cartoonist and illustrator Zoe Si. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria Public Library gives kids incentive to read this summer

Summer Reading Club rewards participants for seven weeks of reading

 

The Greater Victoria Public Library has lots of options for readers to check out from traditional books to online and audio sources. (Pexels photo) The Greater Victoria Public Library has lots of options for readers to check out from traditional books to online and audio sources. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria libraries list most popular titles of 2020

Old releases such as Little Women crack Top 10 list as readers turn to digital sources

The Greater Victoria Public Library has lots of options for readers to check out from traditional books to online and audio sources. (Pexels photo) The Greater Victoria Public Library has lots of options for readers to check out from traditional books to online and audio sources. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria Public Library is reminding cardholders to check out the free selection of holiday eBooks, audiobooks, movies and family activities available through the library’s digital platforms. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria library highlights free digital entertainment offerings for at-home holiday season

Holiday audiobooks, Christmas movies available online through Greater Victoria Public Library

Greater Victoria Public Library is reminding cardholders to check out the free selection of holiday eBooks, audiobooks, movies and family activities available through the library’s digital platforms. (Black Press Media file photo)
Funding for Niche Academy was provided by Friends of the Library. Friends president Irwin Henderson, shown here with Laura McCallum, at a book sale at the Nellie McClung branch last year. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria Public Library offers new online resource service to cardholders

Friends of the Library provided funding for the service

Funding for Niche Academy was provided by Friends of the Library. Friends president Irwin Henderson, shown here with Laura McCallum, at a book sale at the Nellie McClung branch last year. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria Public Library and Vancouver Island Regional Library have seen spikes in online users during the COVID-19 pandemic. They offer eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, television, music and online learning. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

What people are reading, watching and learning from local libraries during COVID-19

GVPL and VIRL see big spikes in online users

Greater Victoria Public Library and Vancouver Island Regional Library have seen spikes in online users during the COVID-19 pandemic. They offer eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, television, music and online learning. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)
Crews load the Saanich Archives into a moving truck after a flood on Aug. 23. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Water damage at G. R. Pearkes facility expected to cost an estimated $500,000

Flood repairs have begun at Saanich library, recreation centre

Crews load the Saanich Archives into a moving truck after a flood on Aug. 23. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
BC Summer Reading Club is back at the Greater Victoria Public Library

BC Summer Reading Club is back at the Greater Victoria Public Library

BC Summer Reading Club is back at the Greater Victoria Public Library

  • Jun 23, 2019
BC Summer Reading Club is back at the Greater Victoria Public Library
“Drawing branches” by Luke Ramsay was installed at the sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch library to mark the branch’s one-year-anniversary since opening (File submitted/ GVPL)

James Bay Library celebrates first anniversary with new art installation

Students worked with artist-in-residence Luke Ramsay on a commemorative project

“Drawing branches” by Luke Ramsay was installed at the sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch library to mark the branch’s one-year-anniversary since opening (File submitted/ GVPL)
The fire has been extinguished but crews remain on scene to put out hot spots and ensure the safety of the building. Some of the roof structure was damaged and will require repairs, with an estimated cost of $50,000. (Nina Grossman/News staff)

UPDATED: One man sent to hospital after fire at downtown Victoria Central Library

Fire caused by a cut gas line that ignited

The fire has been extinguished but crews remain on scene to put out hot spots and ensure the safety of the building. Some of the roof structure was damaged and will require repairs, with an estimated cost of $50,000. (Nina Grossman/News staff)
The Central Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library could be replaced soon. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Victoria looks to replace Central Library branch

Council will also look into adding a new library location branch near Hillside

The Central Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library could be replaced soon. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Rina Hadziev is the coordinator of collections and technical services at the GVPL. She says their eclectic collection of books is meant to both educate and entertain. (Nicole Crescenzi/News staff)

Victoria libraries choose quirky books to keep everyone entertained

Comics, spoofs, and off-beat hobbies among popular selections

Rina Hadziev is the coordinator of collections and technical services at the GVPL. She says their eclectic collection of books is meant to both educate and entertain. (Nicole Crescenzi/News staff)
Carl Cavanagh holds a copy of an LP version of the “Anatomy of a Murder” soundtrack, which was recently returned to the library – more than 20 years have the library stopped lending records (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

The strangest things ever returned to the Victoria library

Some things are returned decades late, others never belonged to the library at all

Carl Cavanagh holds a copy of an LP version of the “Anatomy of a Murder” soundtrack, which was recently returned to the library – more than 20 years have the library stopped lending records (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
On Oct. 27 and 28 all 12 branches of the Greater Victoria Public Library will waive overdue fines in exchange for a non-perishable food items. (Black Press file photo)

Greater Victoria Public Library waives overdue fines for food

Annual Food for Fines campaign takes place Oct. 27 and 28

On Oct. 27 and 28 all 12 branches of the Greater Victoria Public Library will waive overdue fines in exchange for a non-perishable food items. (Black Press file photo)
In 2016, the Greater Victoria Public Library had the highest per capita circulation in Canada. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Greater Victoria Public Library has highest circulation rate in Canada

Across 12 branches, the GVPL’s members borrowed items more than 5 million times

In 2016, the Greater Victoria Public Library had the highest per capita circulation in Canada. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Maureen Sawa, CEO of the GVPL stands in the new sxʷeŋ’xʷəŋ taŋ’exw James Bay Branch with Jennifer Windecker, director of public services for GVPL. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS

GVPL opens new sxʷeŋ’xʷəŋ taŋ’exw James Bay Branch

New space at Superior and Menzies offers 12,000 brand new materials

Maureen Sawa, CEO of the GVPL stands in the new sxʷeŋ’xʷəŋ taŋ’exw James Bay Branch with Jennifer Windecker, director of public services for GVPL. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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