"Wolak's book caters to coffee and tea drinkers from Vancouver to Victoria to Whistler. It's full of all sorts of fascinating information and covers over 200 cafés. You'll learn firsthand from Wolak which cafés offer Internet access, live music, late night hours, and food. You'll also discover which cafés are child-friendly, have art exhibits, poetry and author readings, a cool ambience and unusual clientele," said librarian Linton Harrison. Cafés Vancouver, the book on which his talk is based, includes neighborhood maps and theme lists to suit every taste and location.

Richard Wolak is a well-known authority on the local and regional coffee scene. Since 1995, he has been vice president of sales and marketing for Arelco Promotional Group Inc., a marketing solutions company. Richard has been featured in many newspaper articles, radio and television programs.

Contact:

• Desiree Baron, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 608

• Linton Harrison, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 642

"This presentation is great for drivers who are noticing changes in their own driving habits, reflexes and responses," said librarian Desiree Baron. "It's a dual-purpose presentation in that it promotes road safety and enhances driver education," added Baron. The presentation will raise awareness on topics such as good driving practices and tips, changes in road signage and road conditions, personal changes as we age and information on how to compensate for our changing selves, changes in driving laws, and alternatives to driving. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions about current driving practices and ICBC road tests. For more information please call the BC Safety Council.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Desiree Baron, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 608

Contact:

• Desiree Baron, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 608

• Jan Turner, Librarian, 604-231-6418

The workshop (program #215) takes place on Dec. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. To sign up, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call (604) 231-6468 or visit Library Online at www.yourlibary.ca and have your library card and the program number (215) handy.

"The Home Depot team will demonstrate how crackling, distressing and other paint effects can create just the right look for your home," says Haidee Parker, Librarian. "They'll show how new products and techniques can achieve a variety of textured looks, and there will be plenty of time for your questions."

The workshop is free and refreshments will be served. Space is limited, so sign up early. The Ironwood Library is located at Steveston Hwy & No. 5 Road.

Contact:

• Kristie Helps, 604-303-9882

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

"The goals of this innovative toy lending library are to help children develop their fine motor skills as well as their social and creative skills," said head of children's services Helen Moore. "Toys are a good way to introduce various educational concepts and build verbal and written literacy skills," added Moore. "It's a wonderful opportunity for parents, grandparents and other caregivers to interact with children in a fun and educational way, using toys to enhance the learning experience," added Moore. "For the many families in Richmond who may not have any educational toys at home, this will help fill that gap. We are delighted to be partnering with TD Canada Trust on this program and appreciate their strong support of the library and of literacy," added Moore.

Educational toys in the lending library include: alphabetic blocks, number and letter toys, stacking and sorting blocks, puzzles, building blocks, and imaginative play toys. Up to five toys per family can be borrowed at a time and kept for four weeks. To borrow these toys, come to any branch of Richmond Public Library on or after Nov. 21st. Discover a new and fun way to learn! For more information call the youth services department at 604-231-6412.

Contact:

• Sandy Simpson, 604-241-4233 ext. 250

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

"The goal of the Employment Trend Seminar is to provide job market information to new immigrants who are seeking employment in the provincial government," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. "It will cover practical things like the job market trend in the provincial government, employment opportunities, qualifications needed, the application and selection processes, staff benefits, advancement opportunities and more," added Jang. The seminar will be given by Paul Cameron, acting recruitment coordinator for the BC Recruitment Access Office. Cameron has worked for the BC government since 1987.

"The B.C. Recruitment Access Office recruits staff for the various government departments. This Employment Trend Seminar is suitable for people who want to know more about finding a job in the B.C. government because it gives an idea on what the employer is looking for. We anticipate that this will be a popular seminar, so register early to reserve your seat," added Jang.

Contact:

• Wendy Jang, Coordinator of Multilingual Services, 604-231-6419

The purpose of these programs is to help people become better educated and protect themselves and their investments against traditional and online fraud schemes and scam artists. "Through the use of real-life examples, the instructors will teach you how to identify an investment scam, how to look into the background of a financial advisor and how to determine if particular investments are appropriate for your circumstances," librarian Linton Harrison said. "The goal of the programs is to give investors the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and their hard-earned money. No one wants to be the victim of a con artist."

"With online investing now being common practice, people need to be aware of cyber-fraud. The World Wide Web has become a huge financial marketplace and crooks are harder than ever to track down, which is precisely why investors need to find out about the problems and risks involved in online investing," Harrison added. Speakers from the B.C. Securities Commission will focus on online scams that people might encounter via Internet advertising, through e-mail and in discussion groups, again using real-life examples to illustrate their points.

The B.C. Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating trading in securities and exchange contracts within B.C. For more information call Linton Harrison at 604-278-9811 ext. 642.

Contact:

• Linton Harrison, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 642

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Desiree Baron, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 608

"In response to requests from our Indo-Canadian customers, and thanks to a special, one-time provincial grant, we have added 660 new Punjabi movie videos and DVDs, 889 music CDs, 800 adult books in Punjabi, and 100 children's English-Punjabi books to our collection," library board chair Perry Mazzone said. "There is a large Indo-Canadian community in Richmond and I'm certain that these new additions to our collection will be very popular and will provide a significant service improvement to the community," Mazzone added.

The launch of the new Punjabi collection will include a free Diwali program for children at the Ironwood branch library on Nov. 13 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Diwali, the Indian Festival of lights, will be celebrated with a special storytime for children ages seven to ten, in Punjabi and English. Along with the stories, there will be crafts for children to make and everyone is welcome to attend. Space is limited, so registration is required for this program (#977). To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, phone (604) 231-6405 or register via Library Online at www.yourlibrary.ca.

"This event celebrates the great diversity of cultures in Richmond and enables all children to learn more about the Indian festival of Diwali. It's a chance for kids to celebrate the Indian culture through its stories and art," Mazzone said. There are also books in Hindi, Gujarati and Urdu for library customers to borrow.

Contact:

• Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, 604-231-6418

• Cate McNeely, Deputy Chief Librarian, 604-231-6420

"Storytime is an activity the family can enjoy together. It's also a great opportunity for children and their caregivers to hear new stories as well as old favourites, and take part in songs, rhymes and fingerplays," said librarian Anne Budgell. "Fostering an interest in books and language is the first step to success in school and a lifelong enjoyment of reading."

Children under age 12 who visit the Steveston Branch on Saturdays and Sundays will be eligible to enter a prize draw for a free book and can take home puzzle sheets, bookmarks and colouring pages.

For further information, please call 274-2012 or visit the Steveston Branch.

Contact:

• Anne Budgell, Librarian, 604-274-2012

"It's important for teens to learn basic financial management skills that they can build on throughout their lives. This series of programs will teach teens about salary and career trends, credit cards and basic investing," said acting head of youth services, Helen Moore. "There are also lots of resources in the library about finances and teens."

The Financial Literacy Counsel is a group that is committed to encouraging young people to take proactive steps in learning about their personal finances and providing them with answers to their financial questions. The organization's goal is to help build financially literate generations who can make intelligent choices about money.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

"This is a great opportunity to buy some reasonably priced books on a variety of subjects. And while you're at the library come and take a look at our large collection of Chinese language books, CD music, DVDs, magazines and newspapers. With over 67,000 Chinese language items in our collection, there is something for everyone," says head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. Proceeds from the book sale will go towards developing the library's collections.

Contact:

• Wendy Jang, Coordinator of Multilingual Services, 604-231-6419

The questionnaire is easy to use - parents just choose an age category from one month to six years of age and answer a series of simple questions like: Does your child recognize the name of many familiar things? Does your child know the difference between right and left? Has your child started to read simple words?

It's been said that the best indicator of a child's academic success at age 18 is the strength of their language skills when they begin school at age five. According to some speech-language pathologists, 10-15% of children entering kindergarten will be identified as having a communication disorder which most likely could have been identified by the time the child is three.

The Speak, Read, Succeed Web site allows parents to ensure that their kids have the necessary skills to function in an academic setting, because the ability to communicate - verbally or in writing - is critical for school success. Acting head of youth services, Helen Moore says "Reading to pre-schoolers is a key factor in stimulating vocabulary development, writing skills and conceptual growth. Children who are read to from an early age learn new sounds, increase their vocabularies, and stretch their imaginations more than other children." From storytimes for babies to computer classes for teens, the library's role in promoting all types of literacy is one of its core values and goals.

Commenting on the Speak, Read, Succeed Checklist, Moore said: "We want to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood language skills to the development of reading and writing skills in children, and the integral role that the library plays in delivering those skills," added Moore. "Half of a child's intellectual development occurs between birth and four years of age."

The most highly used facility in the community, Richmond Public Library is a recognized leader in providing innovative community-based services to its users. The library delivers critical early childhood language and technology learning programs to ensure that children become functionally literate adults. The Speak, Read, Succeed Web site is just one of many service programs that responds to the needs of the large and growing Asian community in Richmond. This particular community accounts for over 40% of Richmond's total population of 160,000 and many of those are ESL learners with young children who are just learning to read.

Contact:

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

"People have this misconception that large print books are only for the elderly. Well, nothing could be further from the truth," said head of readers' advisory, Shelley Civkin. "There are all kinds of bestselling novels and non-fiction that come in large print, and lots of people don't even know we have them!" added Civkin. "There could be a waiting list of 25 people for a new regular print John Grisham book, and the large print copy of that same book is often just sitting on the shelves. We want our customers to know that there are lots of popular large print books just waiting to be borrowed," added Civkin. "More and more bestsellers are being published in large print all the time, and they're very easy on the eyes."

The large print collection contains such popular titles as Lone Eagle by Danielle Steel; A Painted House by John Grisham; The Villa by Nora Roberts; The Sky is Falling by Sidney Sheldon and many more. "So, if you're one of those people who doesn't want to use reading glasses, and holds a book at arm's length in order to see it, you might just want to try large print instead," added Civkin. Relief is in sight with large print books, so why not try them at your local Richmond library branch.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

"Mr. Whyte's Dream of Eagles series chronicles post-Roman Britain and the Arthurian legends. It's been a hugely successful series and very popular with readers of historical fiction," said librarian Linton Harrison. "This program offers fans of Mr. Whytes' books an opportunity to come and listen to him read from his latest novel and ask questions about his works," added Harrison. The Dream of Eagles series includes The Skystone, The Singing Sword, The Eagles' Brood, The Saxon Shore, The Sorcerer, and Uther.

Whyte was born and raised in Scotland and immigrated to Canada in 1967. He has had an ongoing fascination with 5th Century history, the Roman military occupation of Britain, and Arthurian legends. "Whyte's interest in these topics has influenced his writing a great deal and his books are enormously popular with library users of all ages," added Harrison.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Linton Harrison, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 642

'With our aging population, more and more adult children and others are facing caregiving responsibilities. Add to this a hectic work schedule, family responsibilities and our generally busy day-to-day lifestyles, and you've got a recipe for emotional and physical burnout," said librarian Desiree Baron. "Anyone who has been a caregiver knows that in order to maintain your own sense of well-being and emotional health, you need to be able to manage your stress," added Baron.

The facilitators from the Richmond caregivers Support Program will offer caregivers some useful tips and techniques on managing stress. "Learning to handle or minimize the enormous stress involved in caregiving is an essential skill," added Baron. For more information contact Desiree Baron at 604-231-6444 ext. 346.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Desiree Baron, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 608

“This new tutoring program is a terrific way for younger kids to get help with schoolwork and it offers teens an opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain experience in tutoring, work with younger children and meet other teen tutors. The library will provide a short training workshop for teens before the actual tutoring program begins,” said librarian Kirsten Andersen. All teens interested in becoming tutors are welcome, and can call 604-278-9811, ext. 619 for more details. “The teens can commit to as many tutoring sessions as they want since we’d like to keep it as flexible and as fun as possible,” added Andersen.

“It’s really a win-win situation for everybody - kids get the help they need with schoolwork, teens gain leaderships skills and valuable experience in tutoring, and children are introduced to all the wonderful books and electronic resources that the library has to offer,” said Andersen.

Kids in grades one to four are invited to drop in to the Brighouse (Main) Branch for tutoring help on Thursdays at 4 p.m. during October and November. Teens should call ahead to 604-278-9811, ext. 619 if they would like to volunteer as tutors.

“The summer Reading Buddies Program was such a huge success that we decided to extend the program during the school year. It's great for teens to be able to connect with other teens and to help younger kids learn,” added Andersen.

Contact:

• Kirsten Andersen, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 619

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

"Parents and kids will learn how to surf the Internet, and will get recommendations about the top Web sites and valuable safety tips from the librarian leading the program," said head of youth services, Helen Moore. "It's a terrific way for parents and kids to learn some new skills and for parents to get involved in their kids' Internet surfing."

Contact:

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

"This seminar is aimed at people who are interested in working for the federal civil service. It will cover the current and projected demands for different professions in the government, the types of jobs that require candidates to be bilingual in English and French, basic qualifications, application and selection procedures, interview tips, salaries and benefits, and mobility within the government system. There will also be information on the Post Secondary Recruitment Program. We're sure that this will be a popular seminar, so register early to reserve a seat," said coordinator of multilingual services Wendy Jang.

Wong is a Human Resource Consultant at the Public Service Commission. She is responsible for providing advice on staffing and recruitment services for federal departments, including Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Immigration and Refugee Board, Heritage Canada, Passport Office, and Western Economics Diversification Canada. Wong also looks after the Federal Student Work Experience Program for the BC Mainland. With a strong belief in and commitment to Employment Equity, Wong coordinates and participates in various initiatives to improve the representation of visible minorities and other target groups in the federal government. At present, she is heavily involved in the semi-annual Post Secondary Recruitment Campaign and does information sessions on employment opportunities in the federal Public Service for community organizations.

For more information about this seminar, phone Richmond Public Library at 604-231-6462 or Strathcona Employment Assistance Services at 604-270-1305.

Contact:

• Wendy Jang, Coordinator of Multilingual Services, 604-231-6419

The first of these programs (program #969), will be held on Sept. 27 from 3:30-4:30 at the Ironwood Branch located in the Ironwood Plaza at the corner of Steveston Highway and No. 5 Rd. The second program (program #968) will be held on Sept. 28 from 4-5 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Library, 7700 Minoru Gate, in the Youth Services area. To register, visit any branch of the library; phone 231-6431 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca. Please have your library card and the program number handy. For more information, call 604-231-6462; 604-231-6468; or 604-231-6412.

"This is a wonderful and fun opportunity for people of all cultures to learn more about the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and to participate in the celebrations," said head of multilingual services Wendy Jang. "We will also be serving traditional Chinese mooncake and tea as part of the celebration." There will be information available on the background of this festival and how Chinese people celebrate it. "We're encouraging people to register early as this will be a very popular program," added Jang.

Contact:

• Wendy Jang, Coordinator of Multilingual Services, 604-231-6419

The café topics and dates are: "What is the Future of Books and Reading? Will Electronic Books Replace the Printed Word?" with speaker Greg Buss, Chief Librarian of RPL, Sept. 20 from 12 -1:30 pm; "Public Education as a Social Investment rather than a Consumable Good" with speaker Chris Kelly, Superintendent of Schools for Richmond School District, Oct. 19 from 12-1:30 pm; and "Justice in Today's Society" by Joanne Beamish, Faculty Member at Kwantlen University College, Nov. 15 from 12-1:30 pm. This is a free, drop-in program so no registration is required. For more information, call Dinise Sizer or Jan Turner at 604-231-6468.

Contact:

• Dinise Sizer, Librarian, 604-231-6468

• Jan Turner, Librarian, 604-231-6418

The first of these programs (program #969), will be held on Sept. 27 from 3:30-4:30 at the Ironwood Branch located in the Ironwood Plaza at the corner of Steveston Highway and No. 5 Rd. The second program (program #968) will be held on Sept. 28 from 4-5 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Library, 7700 Minoru Gate, in the Youth Services area. To register, visit any branch of the library; phone 231-6431 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca. Please have your library card and the program number handy. For more information, call 604-231-6462; 604-231-6468; or 604-231-6412.

"This is a wonderful and fun opportunity for people of all cultures to learn more about the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and to participate in the celebrations," said head of multilingual services Wendy Jang. "We will also be serving traditional Chinese mooncake and tea as part of the celebration." There will be information available on the background of this festival and how Chinese people celebrate it. "We're encouraging people to register early as this will be a very popular program," added Jang.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

"Parents and kids will learn how to surf the Internet, and will get recommendations about the top Web sites and valuable safety tips from the librarian leading the program," said head of youth services, Helen Moore. "It's a terrific way for parents and kids to learn some new skills and for parents to get involved in their kids' Internet surfing."

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

"The library's partnership with Charles Schwab Canada is a win-win for both groups. The community got to attend a free financial seminar and barbeque, while the library was the recipient of the proceeds from the event. We're grateful to have such a generous partner in the business community, one who supports the library and its goals of education, lifelong learning and recreation," said chief librarian Greg Buss.

"There are thousands of Richmond residents who depend on the services and collections of the library, and the donation from Charles Schwab Canada helps us to meet those needs," added Buss. "It's good to know that our community partners recognize the importance of libraries and support this essential community service."

Charles Schwab Canada, a well-known brokerage firm, also donated a book to the library entitled You're Fifty - Now What? that will likely appeal to a lot of baby boomers in the community. For other donation and partnership opportunities please call Greg Buss at 604-231-6418.

Contact:

• Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, 604-231-6418

"While some of our customers think that we're part of VPL and will be closed, we are reminding everyone that RPL is a separate library system and that we are definitely open during this time," said deputy chief librarian Cate McNeely. "Lots of people have figured it out though, because our Brighouse (Main) Library is especially busy right now," added McNeely. All three Richmond branches will be closed however on Mon. Sept. 3, 2001 for Labour Day.

For those people using the Richmond Public Library, the hours at the Brighouse (Main) Branch are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Sat. & Sun. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The new Ironwood Branch is open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sat & Sun. 10 a.m - 5 p.m. The Steveston Branch is open Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. 1 p.m.-5 p.m. "We want the community to know that we're open for business and here to help," added McNeely. Richmond Public Library's Web site is available 24 x 7 at www.yourlibrary.ca.

Contact:

• Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, 604-231-6418

• Cate McNeely, Deputy Chief Librarian, 604-231-6420

There are four categories in the contest: essay for ages 11-14; essay for ages 15-18; poetry for ages 11-14; and poetry for ages 15-18. Prizewinners will receive $500 for first prize, $300 for second prize and $200 for third prize. These talented teens will have their winning entries published on the Library's Web site and in a small book produced by the library.

"The theme of this year's Young Adult Writing Contest is 'surviving'. It's been said that everyone survives something - whether it's an illness, poverty, immigration, divorce, an accident, or just an embarrassing day at school. In fact, every day presents us with challenges that we have to overcome and survive, and this is what we'd like the kids to express in their writing," said Andersen, organizer of the YAWC. "Survival means different things to different people."

The library will also be offering a Young Adult Writer's Workshop in conjunction with the writing contest. The Writing Workshop (program #001) will be held on Sept. 30 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch at 7700 Minoru Gate in the Program Room. It will be an interactive writing workshop with author Lillian Boraks-Nemetz. "The workshop is a separate but related event. However, you don't have to attend the workshop in order to enter the Young Adult Writing contest. And you can sign up for the Writer's Workshop without entering the contest," explained Andersen. To register, come into any branch of RPL, register online at www.yourlibrary.ca or call 231-6431.

Boraks-Nemetz will work directly with the kids in the workshop and give them exercises that help them explore their own memories. Boraks-Nemetz is a poet and novelist and the author of several novels. She currently teaches Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. She is also the winner of the Sheila A. Egoff Award for her young adult book The Old Brown Suitcase.

"We're trying to encourage kids to think about what it means to survive, and to look at their personal experiences, the experiences of a family member or friend, a personal hero, or a character from a book, and let that inspire their writing," added Andersen.

Contact:

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

• Kirsten Andersen, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 619

"Our new netLibrary collection includes e-books on subjects ranging from computer books, to Cliff Notes, The Complete Idiot's Guides, to math, science, resumes and grammar. There's a huge selection of books to choose from and you can search, "borrow", read and return them over the Internet. Whether you're in the library or using your laptop or PC, you can access these great, new titles," said manager of reference and information services Mark Ellis. There is also free access to over 4,000 e-book titles in the public domain, including literary classics, speeches, government reports and more.

"NetLibrary e-books are really useful for students doing schoolwork, great for people who can't get to the library, and practical for those needing quick access to technical information. Since netLibrary has search capabilities, it's easy to find specific words or passages in an e-book quickly," added Ellis. The new netLibrary e-book titles are accessible to many customers, since all you need is a computer and an Internet connection.

E-book titles are easy to "borrow". Just look them up in the library's catalogue, in person or remotely via the library's Web site at www.yourlibrary.ca and you can find out if the e-book is available or is being used by someone else. In order to read and check out e-books, you need to create an account. If you are doing this from outside the library you will also need to enter your library card number.

You don't need any special equipment to read a netLibrary e-book. They're available via the Internet through the use of your Web browser, or you can download the e-book onto your PC or laptop using netLibrary's free reader software. The loan periods vary for netLibrary e-books and when the loan period is over, the e-books are automatically checked back into the library. "It's like visiting the library without even leaving home," added Ellis. "The height of convenience, e-books give library users 24-hour, 7-day-a-week access to the library's e-book collection through netLibrary." Another innovation from an award-winning library!

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Mark Ellis, Manager of Reference and Information Services, 604-231-6410

InterLINK is a partnership of 17 public library systems - 73 branch libraries in all -- spread over an area from Whistler to White Rock to Hope. Together, InterLINK libraries serve almost three million readers - well over half the population of British Columbia.

"What that means for you," said InterLINK Board Chair, James Martin, "is that your membership in your local library entitles you to use the resources of every public library throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond. If you're visiting Whistler, for instance, you can stop in at the Whistler Public Library, get a card at no charge, and borrow books to read while you're there. When you get home, just drop them off at your local library, and they will be returned to Whistler through InterLINK's delivery system."

"Visitors to Vancouver will want to take advantage of the huge reference collection available at the Vancouver Public Library. If you're in Richmond, check out the Ironwood branch, equipped with the latest in computers and the newest best-sellers. And if you find yourself on the Sunshine Coast on that rare rainy day, drop in at a public library in Sechelt or Gibsons," added Martin.

Each library has something distinctive to offer, be it specialized collections, a unique atmosphere, or programs not offered anywhere else. All InterLINK libraries also offer non-English materials, 36 languages in total. The Squamish Public Library, for example, can provide books in Estonian or Gaelic, and Surrey Public Library is the place to go if you want books in Bengali, Romanian, Thai, or Serbo-Croatian.

"InterLINK wants to invite you and your family to discover our public libraries this year," said Martin. Begin with a stop at Richmond Public Library between June 29 and July 8 to have a look at InterLINK's summer travel display, and pick up more information about InterLINK's other 16 locations. So while you're out seeing the sights this season, you can make libraries a part of your travels.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

The library will offer two sessions during the summer. The first session runs on Thursdays July 5, 12, 19, 26 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. (program # 958) and the second session runs on Thursdays Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. (program # 959). Both sessions take place at the Brighouse (Main) Branch. Reading buddies may only sign up for one session, since this program has a limited number of teen volunteers. To register, come into any branch of RPL, register online at www.yourlibrary.ca or call 231-6431.

"The Reading Buddies program is a great opportunity for teens to become involved in the library while helping younger kids improve their reading skills and discover new books. It is especially helpful for ESL students but any children entering grades 2-4 are welcome to register," said librarian Helen Moore. "It's a terrific way to promote literacy."

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to approximately 15 participants per session. The one-hour sessions will consist of half an hour spent working directly with the teen reading buddy, and the rest of the time enjoying word-based games as a group, with all the teens and their reading buddies meeting together.

"This is a wonderful literacy program and essential to children's success in school. The importance of reading can't be emphasized enough, and having teens help younger children become better readers is a valuable partnership," added Moore. The teen volunteers will be required to attend a literacy workshop as part of their training. Other library systems across Canada have offered similar "Reading Buddies" programs and have been very successful. For more information please call Helen Moore at 278-9811 ext. 629.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

Storytimes will take place during July and August at the Brighouse (Main) Branch and the Steveston Branch Monday to Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m.; and at the Ironwood Branch Saturday to Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and Friday at 7 p.m. Richmond Public Library locations are: Brighouse (Main) Branch, 7700 Minoru Gate; Ironwood Branch is in the Irownood Plaza at Steveston Highway and No. 5 Road; and Steveston Branch, 4111 Moncton Street.

"Our goal is to stimulate children's imaginations, expose them to the fun and joy of words, songs and pictures, and help them acquire a love of books and reading," said acting head of youth services, Shelley Civkin. "Storytime gives children and their parents or caregivers a chance to interact with others in a comfortable, safe setting," added Civkin. Library storytimes are approximately 30 minutes long and include a mix of stories, songs, flannelboard stories and finger plays.

While reading to children is vital, it is also important that children have good speech, language and hearing skills. Parents can assess their child's skills in these areas by using an online screening questionnaire and checklist available on the library's Web site at http://www.yourlibrary.ca/succeed/. "The screening questionnaire and checklist will help parents determine if their preschool child has the language learning skills needed to become a good reader," said Civkin. For more information about storytimes please call 231-6412. Free, daily, drop-in storytimes are open to children of all ages.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

"With the slogan "Simon Says...READ!" the Summer Reading Club allows kids to experience adventure and discovery through books," said Acting Head of Youth Services, Shelley Civkin. Each child who joins the Summer Reading Club will receive a booklet to keep track of the books they've read. They'll get cool, new stickers each week for their reading booklets, and there'll be exciting and fun activities offered at all Richmond Public Library branches until the end of August. And there are weekly prize draws. "There will even be Library Bingo to help kids discover books and learn about the library. Most importantly, library cards and all Summer Reading Club activities are free," added Civkin. 1/2

"Summer Reading Club is an opportunity for kids to improve their reading skills and join others for a variety of weekly activities. And of course things like stickers and prize draws are great incentives to keep kids reading consistently all summer long," said Civkin. "Joining the Summer Reading Club means a summer full of good books and loads of fun!" Rana Shaskin, a youth services librarian, is coordinating this year's summer Reading Club and can be reached at 278-9811 ext. 653 for more information.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Rana Shaskin, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 653

"Kingston College's generous support of the Young Adult Writing Contest shows their commitment to both education and creativity, and recognizes that the youth of today will become the leaders of tomorrow," said Mazzone. "We're very grateful for their outstanding contribution to the Young Adult Writing Contest," added Mazzone.

Kingston College offers a wide array of educational opportunities to local and international students who have diverse backgrounds and varied career goals. Offering a multicultural student community, Kingston College has three campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Toronto.

All three campuses offer high school and post-secondary programs, certificate courses and diploma courses. According to sources at Kingston College, students there can look forward to career prospects in areas such as business, the hospitality industry, administration, and computer information systems.

"We truly appreciate Kingston College's involvement with the Richmond Public Library Young Adult Writing Contest; especially their desire to support and encourage the creative endeavors of today's youth," added Mazzone.

Contact:

• Cate McNeely, Deputy Chief Librarian, 604-231-6420

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

"Mr. Lee has been one of the library's strongest and most esteemed library supporters over the years, and we are grateful not only for his incredible generosity but also his spirit of community involvement and dedication to learning," said chief librarian Greg Buss. Since 1995, Mr. Lee's cash donations have well exceeded $125,000 and his donation of Chinese language books totals over 30,000 books. This past week, Lee donated another $20,000 and a substantial collection of nearly 10,000 Chinese language books to the Richmond Public Library (RPL). Lee's newest donation includes many valuable art books.

"No single donor has made as significant a contribution to the Library as Mr. Lee, and we are grateful for his generosity and thoughtfulness," added Buss. The Library's Chinese language collection contains over 65,000 books and is one of the largest of its kind in Canada. Buss pointed out that with a Chinese Canadian population of nearly 40% in Richmond, the Chinese language book collection is extremely important. "We have Mr. Lee to thank for the outstanding quality and range of this collection, as his donations have allowed us to expand the collection significantly."

Mr. Lee's generous donations and support of the Richmond Public Library singles him out as one of the outstanding citizens of Richmond and a true community leader. "We deeply appreciate his commitment to the library and its goals of education, information and recreation," added Buss.

Lee is a very well known author, calligrapher and painter, and is originally from Hong Kong. He is the author of many books written under his pen name Master Lam Chun, and has been published in many Hong Kong newspapers as well as in the North American editions of Ming Pao Daily News and Sing Tao. As well, he has participated in more that 30 calligraphy and painting exhibits in Hong Kong, China and Japan. Lee is also a grand master of physiognomy and Feng Shui.

Contact:

• Wendy Jang, Coordinator of Multilingual Services, 604-231-6419

• Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, 604-231-6418

"Cate McNeely certainly deserves this honor. She has been instrumental in planning and implementing new library programs and services for several years, and is unequaled in her dedication to promoting libraries," said library board chair Perry Mazzone. "Cate's visionary approach to library service enabled the new Ironwood Branch - "The Library of the Future" - to become a reality, and she has brought our state-of-the-art services and collections to the attention of libraries worldwide," added Mazzone.

Mazzone praised McNeely, saying that she has served the profession of librarianship in a truly distinguished way and is intent on ensuring that libraries and librarians are responsive to community needs, as well as forward thinking in their pursuit of excellent customer service. "It's imperative that libraries be relevant and necessary to this generation of users as well as the next, and Cate is making sure that this happens," added Mazzone. McNeely received a plaque from the BCLA honoring her achievements, and this will be displayed at the Richmond Public Library.

Contact:

• Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, 604-231-6418

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

Sum is the founder and CEO of ACI Advanced Cards International Corporation. He has over twenty years of experience in information technology management and high tech business. He is knowledgeable about research and development, product development, engineering, strategic planning, marketing, international business development, technology transfer and partnership with other organizations throughout North America. He also has a good understanding about telecommunications, wireless technology, management information systems and the Internet. He has a B.Sc degree from the University of California (Berkeley), M.Sc. degree from the University of California (Los Angeles) and completed a post-graduate program in technology management at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is a registered professional engineer in Ontario and BC.

For more information about this seminar, phone Richmond Public Library at 231-6462 or Strathcona Employment Assistance Services at 270-1305.

Contact:

• Wendy Jang, Coordinator of Multilingual Services, 604-231-6419

"Hister, the author of Midlife Man : A Not-so-threatening Guide to Health and Sex for Man at his Peak, has the ability to capture people's attention with his sense of humor and sincere commitment to men's health issues," said librarian Linton Harrison. "I don't think there's a middle-aged man around who'll want to miss this talk. And neither will their partners," added Harrison. Hister will cover a lot of territory, including men's emotions, relationships, sexuality, general health, fitness, and the psychological impact of middle age.

The stereotypes would have you believe that male menopause consists of sexual dysfunction, hair loss and prostate cancer. Hister readjusts that skewed picture of middle-aged men by offering up-to-date information about the latest treatments, trends, options and medical research surrounding the issues men face.

Hister, a family physician practicing in Vancouver since 1971, became a full-time "media doctor" in 1991. He currently hosts the hour-long call-in radio show "House Calls with Dr. Art Hister" and is the daily health commentator on CKNW's "The World Today". In addition, Hister is the current health columnist for "The Weekend News Show" on BCTV. Hister has written articles for many publications, including Reader's Digest, the Medical Post, the Vancouver Sun, Eating Well and Western Living.

The Canadian Public Health Association awarded Hister the Holobon Award as Canada's top public health educator in 1995, and in 1999 the Canadian Nursing Association awarded him a certificate of merit for a special program on menopause, broadcast on CKNW. "Hister's lively sense of humor coupled with his solid medical experience makes him the perfect candidate to discuss the often-taboo subject of midlife man," said Harrison.

Contact:

• Linton Harrison, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 642

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

"The Richmond Public Library supports the principle of intellectual freedom, which guarantees all people freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression," said library board chair Perry Mazzone. Displays of banned or challenged books can be seen at all three Richmond Public Library branches.

Every year, books such as Asha's Mums by Rosamund Elwin, Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker, or classic titles like Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and even the Bible, are challenged and some are banned in schools and libraries in Canada and the United States. "Freedom to Read Week is an opportunity for libraries to raise public awareness of the issues surrounding censorship and how it affects people of all ages and backgrounds," said chief librarian Greg Buss.

There will be a Freedom to Read link dealing with censorship, in the Resident Writer's section of the Library's Home Page at www.yourlibrary.ca. Through this link you can get to the Book and Periodical Council, and to links dealing with Freedom of Expression and censorship in Canada, as well as the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom.

"What one person finds offensive, might be acceptable to another. It's the Library's responsibility to make sure that citizens have the right to choose what they read, listen to and view, and we are here to provide the community with free access to a wide range of materials in all kinds of formats," commented Buss.

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

• Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, 604-231-6418

Councillor Derek Dang continues his role as City Council representative to the Library Board. The Board's two newest members are Geoffrey Bargh and Keiron McConnell. Bargh comes to the library with a background in City Planning and architecture, and is a retired professor from the University of Manitoba. McConnell is a Vancouver Police Constable. Returning Board members include Colleen Chambers, Tung Chan, Archie Campbell and Henry Beh.

"Richmond Public Library continues to strive to bring together the goals of traditional library service and visionary new technologies, in order to offer our community the best service possible," said Library Board Chair, Mazzone. "As always, we embrace the changes ahead and look forward to exploring new ways to meet the needs of Richmond citizens," added Mazzone.

Contact:

• Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, 604-231-6418

Contact:

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416

This year's winners are Jean Chui, Irfan Manji and Elise McCormick (Junior Essay); Tony Chu, Julie Dumont, and Jesse Donaldson (Senior Essay); Christina Segounis, Kevin Yip, and Amundeep Sandhu (Junior Poetry); Vincci Li, Stephanie Knowles, and Alice Hsu (Senior Poetry).

"We're very excited to be celebrating a decade of young people's creativity," said librarian Helen Moore. "This year's entries reflect the talent, originality and creativity of Richmond's youth. The community should be proud of the depth of emotion and thoughtful opinions displayed by these young writers," added Moore. "Congratulations to all these talented young writers!"

Community businesses and individuals have continued to be extremely supportive of the contest. "This year, winners will receive prizes from sponsors such as Kingston College, Canada Post, FirstClass Systems, Friends of the Library, Gulf & Fraser Fishermen's Credit Union, McDonalds, Richmond News, Richmond Auto Mall, Richmond Review, TD Bank Financial Group, John Collison, and Diana Mau. These sponsors have helped to make the contest a huge success, and the library is grateful for their enthusiastic community spirit and sponsorship," said Moore. For more information about the awards ceremony, call Helen Moore at 278-9811, ext. 629.

Contact:

• Helen Moore, Head, Youth Services, 604-231-6441

• Cindy Kloos, Kids' Place Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 675

"These organizing specialists really know how to make a chaotic office orderly," said librarian Linton Harrison. "If you have the flexibility to organize your day and arrange your paper and electronic files the way you want, then this is the program to help you do it," added Harrison. Space is limited for this free program, so register early by visiting any branch of Richmond Public Library, calling 231-6431, or using Library Online at www.yourlibrary.ca. Please have your library card and program number handy.

Sometimes the mountains of information in our offices seem unmanageable, but Dale and Bradley are experts at helping people figure out their information management needs. The authors, who are also librarians, will answer questions such as How do I set up and manage my computer files so that I can work more effectively? How long should I keep stuff? and What's the best and most logical kind of filing system to use?

Offering advice on what to keep, where to put it and for how long is their specialty. Their book, At Your fingertips in the Office : Information Management for the Small Business provides the basis for their talk. "Like many self?help experts, Dale and Bradley believe that effective information management can be empowering, and in the long run can save you time, money and space," added Harrison." If you need help getting organized in the office, then this is the course for you." For more information, call 231-6405.

Alexandra Bradley is a certified records manager and librarian. She is the president of Harwood Information Associates Limited and works as a consultant and professor. Denise Dale is a librarian at Kwantlen University College and operates Streamline Information and Organizing services. She also teaches workshops on getting organized.

Contact:

• Linton Harrison, Librarian, 604-278-9811 ext. 642

• Shelley Civkin, Head, Readers Advisory, 604-231-6416