Greater Victoria Public Library

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

 

Coun. Susan Brice and fellow councillors took a tour of the new Saanich Engineering building at 3500 Blanshard St. on Nov. 5, 2020. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich engineering staff to move into former library building once considered for supportive housing

Nov. 9 move will free up space at crowded Municipal Hall, councillor says

 

An artists rendition of the proposed new Vancouver Island Regional Library building in Sooke. (Vancouver Island Regional Library)

New Sooke library project awarded to Nanaimo-based company

No construction timeline announced by contractor

 

Greater Victoria Public Library Juan de Fuca branch manager Nathan Pagan stands surrounded by books in one aisle of the branch in Colwood. The facility has many options available for readers, viewers and listeners. It’s one of three GVPL branches on the West Shore. (Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood library reopens for public use July 18

Limited services offered Monday through Saturday

  • Jul 13, 2020
Greater Victoria Public Library Juan de Fuca branch manager Nathan Pagan stands surrounded by books in one aisle of the branch in Colwood. The facility has many options available for readers, viewers and listeners. It’s one of three GVPL branches on the West Shore. (Black Press Media file photo)
An online summer writing program is being hosted by Story Studio and the Greater Victoria Public Library to help teens improve their writing skills. (File photo)

Summer program helps Greater Victoria teens sharpen writing skills

Registration for the program runs until Aug. 17

  • Jul 12, 2020
An online summer writing program is being hosted by Story Studio and the Greater Victoria Public Library to help teens improve their writing skills. (File photo)
Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) will reopen two of their locations, Central Branch and Langford Heritage Branch, on June 30. (Black Press Media file photo)

Two Greater Victoria public libraries to reopen at end of June

Central and Langford Heritage branches open with reduced hours

Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) will reopen two of their locations, Central Branch and Langford Heritage Branch, on June 30. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria Public Library Branch will begin the first phase of reopening in June. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Phase-by-phase look at how Greater Victoria Public Libraries will reopen

GVPL to quarantine returned material for a minimum of 72 hours before lending again

The Greater Victoria Public Library Branch will begin the first phase of reopening in June. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
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)
The Greater Victoria Public Library may have to lay off 168 employees if services don’t resume. (Black Press Media file photo)

Layoffs loom for Greater Victoria Public Library employees

Some services may resume before layoffs kick in

The Greater Victoria Public Library may have to lay off 168 employees if services don’t resume. (Black Press Media file photo)
All 12 GVPL branches closed after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria libraries shut doors until further notice

All GVPL, VIRL branches close after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears

All 12 GVPL branches closed after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears. (Black Press Media file photo)
Cheri Sutherland and her husband Les have opened their branch of the Free Little Library network in Sooke. (Contributed photo)

Literacy global phenomenon lands in Sooke

A worldwide program Free Little Library boasts more than 93,000 locations

Cheri Sutherland and her husband Les have opened their branch of the Free Little Library network in Sooke. (Contributed photo)
Senior librarian Matthew Bingham holds up the infamous LP soundtrack that was returned to the GVPL in December 2017. (Photo courtesy Jessica Woollard)

Quirky returns, decades overdue items keep things interesting at Greater Victoria libraries

The most overdue book was returned more than 80 years late

Senior librarian Matthew Bingham holds up the infamous LP soundtrack that was returned to the GVPL in December 2017. (Photo courtesy Jessica Woollard)
The old Emily Carr library branch at 3500 Blanshard St. is being prepared for renovations that will turn it into office space for some District of Saanich staff. (Black Press Media file photo)

District of Saanich staff will move into old Emily Carr library branch building in 2020

Work has begun to removed hazardous materials and prepare the building for renovations

The old Emily Carr library branch at 3500 Blanshard St. is being prepared for renovations that will turn it into office space for some District of Saanich staff. (Black Press Media file photo)
John Robertson loading up on hardcovers and paperbacks at the Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Nellie McClung branch in March 2019 (File photo)

The Nellie McClung Library is booked for June 22 and 23

Friends of the Library announce a big summer book sale the Nellie McClung branch

John Robertson loading up on hardcovers and paperbacks at the Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Nellie McClung branch in March 2019 (File photo)
The Greater Victoria Public Libary has more than 660,000 physical items to borrow at its branches. (File photo)

Library shows Valentine’s Day love to users impeded by snow storm

Greater Victoria Public Library waives late fines on material due on snow days

  • Feb 14, 2019
The Greater Victoria Public Libary has more than 660,000 physical items to borrow at its branches. (File photo)
Greater Victoria Public Library launched its free Lynda.com memberships in June 2017. (Morgan Cross photo)

What Greater Victoria library users are learning with Lynda.com

Nearly 6,000 people in the Captial Regional District have taken online courses since 2017

Greater Victoria Public Library launched its free Lynda.com memberships in June 2017. (Morgan Cross photo)
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)
Premier John Horgan and Education Minister Rob Fleming read stories to kids at the James Bay Library in Victoria on July 3. (Greater Victoria Public Library photo)

Public library battles ‘summer slide’ in children’s literacy

Youth track daily reading and enjoy weekly incentives from the Greater Victoria Public Library

Premier John Horgan and Education Minister Rob Fleming read stories to kids at the James Bay Library in Victoria on July 3. (Greater Victoria Public Library photo)
The sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library had its grand opening May 26. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS

WATCH: Grand opening of the sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch Library

Community members speak to the namesakes of the newest GVPL addition

The sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library had its grand opening May 26. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS
Brenda Joy Scott, who recently published a children’s book, The Monster in the Basement, is one of over 100 of emerging authors who will be featured at an event at the Greater Victoria Public Library’s Central Branch on May 12. Photo contributed

GVPL hosts fourth Emerging Local Authors Collection

Over 100 local authors will show off their books

Brenda Joy Scott, who recently published a children’s book, The Monster in the Basement, is one of over 100 of emerging authors who will be featured at an event at the Greater Victoria Public Library’s Central Branch on May 12. Photo contributed