2003
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RICHMOND, B.C. - Christmas has arrived early for the new Cambie Branch of the Richmond Public Library. The Cambie Branch is the recent and delighted recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Richmond Community Foundation. This grant will go towards the purchase of an Educational Toy Lending Library for the new branch, which opens on January 23, 2004 in the Cambie Shopping Plaza. "The library is extremely grateful to the Richmond Community Foundation for their strong support of the library and literacy. These educational toys will respond to the needs of those children and caregivers in East Richmond who might not otherwise have access to toys in their regular routine," said communications officer, Shelley Civkin. "This grant allows the library to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of Richmond children and families." Approximately 150 educational toys, which are aimed at children ages 0-6 years, will be available to the public for borrowing, free of charge. According to Helen Moore, head of youth services, educational toys are a crucial part of a child's physical, social, imaginative, intellectual and emotional development. They also form the basis for developing pre-literacy skills essential to learning. 1/2 2/2 Children are introduced to various educational concepts such as shapes, colors, letters, and numbers, through the use of toys. "We're convinced that educational toys provide innovative and creative learning opportunities for youngsters, and have the potential to enrich their lives," said Moore. Richmond Public Library's Brighouse, Ironwood and Steveston branches already have toy collections, so this will give East Richmond families access to these fun learning tools right in their own neighborhood. Richmond Public Library was one of the first libraries in British Columbia to offer this type of service to the community. "It has been one of the mainstays of the Library to provide the community with the foundations for intellectual and social growth. By offering this Educational Toy Lending Library, we are committed to ensuring that learning and education thrives in East Richmond," added Moore. Contact:
For immediate release November 12, 2003Cambie Library gets Support from Richmond Chinese School Foundation“In helping the library to increase literacy and education through books and reading, Richmond Chinese School Foundation is showing its commitment to the development and well-being of our community,” said communications officer, Shelley Civkin. Opening this winter, the new Cambie Branch will offer library service to an area of Richmond that has lots of young families and new immigrants. While the focus of the branch is on early childhood development and literacy, there will be something for everyone at the Cambie Branch. “We appreciate the involvement of the community in helping to facilitate education and learning,” added Civkin. Contact:
"In helping to provide picture books for the children of East Richmond, the Sunrise Rotary Club of Richmond is contributing to the well-being of our whole community, since literacy benefits everyone. Rotary's generosity toward the library ensures that learning and education thrive in East Richmond," said communications officer, Shelley Civkin. The new Cambie Branch, which opens this winter, will offer library service to a part of Richmond that has been underserved until now. The new library will offer a good variety of popular books, videos and other items for recreation and learning. "We're very grateful that our community is stepping up to the plate to help in the challenge of increasing literacy." Contact:
“The goal of the workshop, called “Teen Voices in the Library”, is to find out about local teens’ reading experiences. In other words, we want to hear about what they read and if they see themselves reflected in those same books, and what issues matter to them. Then our objective is to take the workshop findings and the teens’ art or creative writing and represent their voices and perspectives among policy makers, educators, and artists at a national conference,” said young adult librarian, Kirsten Andersen. Teens are asked to bring their favorite books to inspire creative writing, poetry, art projects and drama that will take place during the workshop. Participants will have the chance to voice their ideas to other teens, and through the facilitators, to other people of influence. The workshop facilitators are Kirsten Andersen and Naomi Hamer. Andersen points out that as adolescents negotiate and construct their identities in many ways, their recreational reading often helps to shape, reflect and challenge their diverse identities. “These issues will be central to the dynamic reading and writing workshop at the library. We are hoping that a very diverse, multicultural group of teens join in these discussions,” added Andersen. For more information contact Kirsten Andersen at 604-278-9811 ext. 619. Contact:
“In helping to provide books and other learning materials for young children, families, new immigrants and individuals, the Rotary Club of Richmond is truly contributing to the well-being of our whole community. Rotary’s goal of helping others and service to the community ensures that learning and education thrive in East Richmond,” said communications officer, Shelley Civkin. At a recent Rotary Club of Richmond meeting, president Duncan McNiven presented a cheque for $500 to the library’s communication officer, Shelley Civkin. The new Cambie Branch, that opens this winter, will offer library service to a part of Richmond that has been underserved until now. The new library will offer a good variety of popular books, videos and other items for recreation and learning. Library users will be able to choose from a wide array of fun and educational programs for young children and teens. The support from local community groups and service clubs means a lot to us, since it shows a real commitment to learning and education,” added Civkin. “We’re very grateful that our community is stepping up the plate to help in the challenge of improving literacy. Contact:
The first two-part program (#950) is on Cymbidium and takes place on Nov. 2nd and 30th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Brighouse (Main) Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The programs are for English and Cantonese speakers. The cost is $10 per two-part program. To register for these programs visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call the library at 604-231-6405 (English) or 604-231-6462 (Chinese) or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. "The first session of the program will cover different types of Cymbidium, how to grow them, where to place the plant in your house, common diseases and what to do about them, and how to select Cymbidium," said Wendy Jang, head of multilingual services. "The second session of the program will cover the participants' experience in growing Cymbidium, and the teachers will offer individual advice and answer questions. The teachers may arrange a field trip to an orchid farm outside class time," added Jang Contact:
"The Canada Post Heritage Club has been a major sponsor for the Young Adult Writing Contest for many years, and their mandate to support literacy and youth programming ties in so nicely with what we offer here at the library," said head of youth services, Helen Moore. "Their gift is testament to their strong belief in the value of literacy and youth programming," added Moore. The Canada Post Heritage Club has supported library programs for the last nine years, starting with the Born to Read project. Their enthusiasm for books and reading has benefited the library's customers a great deal over the years. For more information on how you can support the library, contact Shelley Civkin, communications officer at 604-231-6416 or shelley.civkin@yourlibrary.ca. Contact:
"Mr. Yee will be speaking about his experience in writing Saltwater City and why he wrote it. His talk will also cover different aspects of Chinese Canadian history," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. Yee is a well-known author of books for children, teens and adults. He was born in Canada and grew up in Vancouver. He has written two books on the history of the Chinese in Canada and has a third book in progress. He has also written nine books for children and young adults. Two of his stories were made into animated films by the National Film Board of Canada. Mr. Yee currently lives and works in Toronto. Contact:
"The library won this award in the 'user friendly' category, so that makes the library's online service not only innovative, but also easy for the public to use," said Shelley Civkin, communications officer. "It help young drivers and new drivers of all ages to test their skills and readiness for the real driving test by becoming familiar with the questions," added Civkin. The practice driving test is made up of multiple-choice questions, to help new drivers prepare for the written part of the B.C. Learner's license application. It's extremely practical because it involves interactive learning and is geared to specific and relevant local information, situations and events. "It's designed to be a fun way to learn the rules of the road for new drivers. There are even honking horns and crash sounds to make the test more enjoyable," Civkin added. The best part about the BC Practice Driving Test is that it's accessible in the library, or 24/7 from home or the office. It has recently been expanded to include 385 questions covering all license classes except those for motorcycles. As well, animated graphics are used to illustrate situational questions, and funny choices are offered to make the test both informative and entertaining. "So why not take a "brake" and steer your way to success with the library's online driving test!" added Civkin. Contact:
This free program is being offered in partnership with the People's Law School and SUCCESS. The speaker, Bob McHugh, is the senior technical advisor for the BC Automobile Association, and Auto View columnist for The Province newspaper. "This class will help make purchasing a used car much easier. You'll learn about your legal rights as a buyer of a used vehicle, sale agreements, warranties, and the extra costs involved," said communications officer, Shelley Civkin. "Mr. McHugh will also discuss safety and emission requirements, and inspection services available, as well as how to choose between a dealer and a private sale," added Civkin. There will also be time for questions and answers at the end of the workshop. Registration is limited, so sign up soon. Contact:
The program instructor is Chris Miller, a journalist and budding fiction writer. “The workshop enables teens to discuss their writing with their peers,” said youth librarian, Kirsten Andersen. “They’ll also have the opportunity to learn about point of view, character, setting, description, plus editing and revision,” added Andersen. “The teen writers will have the chance to share their writing with a small, supportive group and gain valuable feedback. There are many young people in the community who might enjoy the opportunity to express themselves and learn techniques for being a successful and accomplished writer.” For more information contact Kirsten Andersen at 604-278-9811 ext. 619 or email kirsten.andersen@yourlibrary.ca
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The exhibit will include books, CDs, VCDs, calligraphy and painting supplies and cultural crafts for sale. All books will be 15% off and other materials will be 10% off. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Richmond Public Library. The daily programs are free and registration is not required. The hours of the exhibit are Wednesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. The opening ceremony is on Oct. 11th at 2 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. Craft demonstrations will take place on Oct. 16th from 3:30-4 p.m. and on Oct. 17th from 3:30-4 p.m. Chinese knotting will take place on Oct. 12th from 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call 604-231-6462 or 604-688-3785.
"People who are interested in new adult and children's Chinese books, music, movies and crafts are welcome to drop in," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. "This is a good opportunity for people to see and buy some new Chinese publications from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In addition, there will be free, daily videos on Tai Chi, exercise, cookery, health, travel to China, cartoons for children and Chinese operas," added Jang. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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The first program (#977) is in Cantonese and takes place on Oct. 5th from 2 - 4 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at the Brighouse (Main) Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The second program (#978) will be in Mandarin and takes place on Oct. 30th from 7 - 9 p.m. in the same location. To register for these programs visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call the library at 604-231-6405 or 604-278-0642 (AFC) or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. For more information call 604-231-6462.
"The speaker, May Chan, is from the AFC Student Centre. She will be talking about Federal and Provincial student loans, Canada study grants, the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation Bursary, Provincial grants, eligibility, assistance with repaying your loans, interest relief programs, debt reduction programs, principal deferment, grants and part-time student loans," said multilingual services librarian, Wendy Jang. "This is important information for the community and especially for students."
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“This donation is part of a North American initiative designed to help educate the broader community about the Muslim way of life and philosophy,” said communications officer Shelley Civkin. Each of the Richmond Public Library branches will offer this material for borrowing, so that all members of the community can have access to this important information.
“The library believes in encouraging the exchange of ideas and promoting cross-cultural understanding and tolerance among all people in our community. These books and audiovisual materials will help inform the public about the Islamic faith and its followers,” added Civkin. “Our hope is that these books and DVDs will also dispel any misconceptions that people might have about Muslims and Islam.”
Some of the titles in this donation include: The meaning of the Holy Quran; Muhammad, legacy of a prophet; The complete idiot’s guide to understanding Islam; Celebrating Ramadan and other titles. These books will be on display in the Brighouse (Main) branch in early October.
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"The focus of Dr. Michalak's talk will be on coping strategies for depression, non-drug treatments, and methods to use at home for managing symptoms of depression," says library spokesperson Shelley Civkin. "She will also talk about a type of depression called S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and will bring along a "light box", which is one popular method of treating S.A.D."
"Millions of Canadians suffer from depression, and the goal of this library program is to help those affected within our community, by offering them information about some treatment options," adds Civkin. Dr. Michalak will teach the audience about techniques commonly used in cognitive behavioural therapy and how this can help in the struggle with depression.
Dr. Michalak has a PhD in psychology and works in the Division of Mood Disorders, in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. She is an expert in depression and has done a great deal of research in England and Vancouver, on this disabling condition. She also specializes in C.B.T. (cognitive behavioral therapy), bipolar disorder and depression. Michalak has been a practicing psychologist for six years.
This program is co-sponsored by Richmond Public Library, the Canadian Mental Health Association (Richmond office), and the B.C. Schizophrenia Society, and is in recognition of National Depression Screening Day, which takes place throughout Canada on Oct. 9th.
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"This is a wonderful opportunity for seniors and their families to find out about the various federal programs and benefits that are available to them. The instructor will concentrate on the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and the importance of planning," said librarian Desiree Baron. Some of the topics to be covered will include: credit splitting, disability benefits, survivor benefits, guaranteed income supplement, and allowance for the survivor.
"The library's aim is to be a major information resource for seniors in Richmond. We want to be the first place that people think of to come to," added Baron. In addition to offering programs like this one, the library hosts the Richmond Seniors Directory on its Web site at www.yourlibrary.ca/community.cfm.
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The first program (#973) is in Cantonese and will be held on Sept. 23rd from 6-9 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The second program (#974) is in Mandarin and will take place on Oct. 2nd from 6-9 p.m. in the same location. The information forum is for diabetics and their families. To register for either of these programs visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6462 (Chinese) or 604-231-6405 (English), or you can register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. For more information call 604-274-7370.
"There will be an information display, refreshments and an opportunity to talk to the presenters from 6-7 p.m. The actual information forums will go from 7-9 p.m. and there will be no admission after 7 p.m.," said Wendy Jang, head of multilingual services.
On Sept. 23rd Laura Ng, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator will address the topic: "Am I diabetic and what are the complications?" Mary Lee, a registered dietician will talk about: "What should I eat if I have diabetes?" And Brian Li, a pharmacist, will discuss: "What do I need to be aware of when I take diabetes medication?" These sessions will be in Cantonese.
On Oct. 2nd, the topics will be the same, but the speakers will include: Katherine Lee, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, Jane Chu, a registered dietician, and Gloria Ng, a pharmacist. These sessions will be in Mandarin.
"The library wants to get the message out that we're the place to come for information about all sorts of topics and issues," said Jang. "By offering free seminars on diabetes, we're able to help our community connect with important information and key people that can provide assistance," added Jang.
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As a medium size library system with three branches and the new Cambie Branch opening this winter, whose focus will be on family literacy and early childhood development, RPL is one of the busiest libraries around. Open seven days a week and having the longest opening hours of any library, they manage to provide amazingly broad service with funding of only $36.36 per capita, as compared to Vancouver Public Library's $60.37 per capita funding.
"Recognizing that literacy education is the foundation for lifelong learning, RPL has identified a myriad of ways in which people learn, and provides a variety of free services and resources to respond to the literacy needs of the entire community," says Shelley Civkin, communications officer for Richmond Public Library.
"Literacy is the basis for success in everything we do and because of that, it is especially important to encourage children to read and share the reading experience with them from a very young age," says Civkin. "Studies show that the best indicator of a child's success in school at age 18 is the strength of their language skills when they enter school at age five."
Richmond Public Library has something to offer everyone. Here's a sample of what you can enjoy: Speak, Read, Succeed Interactive Checklist (http://www.yourlibrary.ca/speakread.cfm?lev1=6&lev2=1) · This Web site features a Talking, Hearing & Understanding Interactive Checklist and Web links to help parents determine if their child's speech, language and hearing skills are developing properly to become fluent readers. · This Web site emphasizes that reading to a preschool child everyday is one of the best ways to guarantee they have the skills to speak, read, and succeed.
Daily storytimes for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers · Stories, songs, fingerplays and rhymes delight young children and promote a love of learning. · Storytimes encourage children to experience the excitement of books, language and reading. Reading Buddies Program · This free program pairs up kids in grades one to four who want to improve their reading skills with a Teen Council volunteer "Reading Buddy". The teen volunteers work one-on-one with younger "buddies" to help them practice their reading, and choose good books together. After-school Tutoring · The library provides free, drop-in after school tutoring and homework help for children in grades one to six. The teen tutors provide a fun learning environment for the younger kids and it's a win-win situation. The younger kids get free homework help and the teens have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain experience in tutoring. English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation Circles · These classes are designed to foster cross-cultural understanding and provide a forum for new immigrants to practice their English language conversation skills. Reading Clubs · Recognizing that literacy is not just limited to English language literacy but also includes preserving the language of other cultures, RPL offers reading clubs in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. · The library provides the reading material free of charge. Computer Literacy Programs · The library's award-winning Web page www.yourlibrary.ca includes many literacy-based learning tools. · The Cyberteens, Cyberseniors program has teens helping seniors one-on-one with their computing skills. · The library also provides software that helps literacy learners to read and spell.
"Once you experience what the library has to offer, you'll see that books do more than just entertain. They educate, they excite, they teach, and they help people soar to new heights," added Civkin. To find out more about other library programs you can contact Richmond Public Library at 604-231-6405.
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"How to Start Your Own Business" will be held at Kwantlen University College, located at 8771 Lansdowne Road in Richmond, on Sept. 23rd. Registration and networking start at 7 p.m. and the seminar begins at 7:30 sharp. The cost is $10.00. "This is a great deal, since the usual value of this seminar is over $100 per person," said Robin Elliott. To register call Adele at 604-502-0704 or email amputter2003@telus.net. Space is limited, so register early. All proceeds from the seminar will go to the Richmond Public Library for their new Cambie Branch, which opens later this year.
You'll learn how to choose the right business for you, the truth about starting a business, five secrets of business success and the facts you should know before starting out, based on Elliott's latest best-selling book: How to Start your own Business with No Money and No Risk. Elliott will expose the myths of business and give you the five secrets of business success. This seminar is sponsored by telutil.ca; the Rotary Club of Richmond; and Kwantlen University College.
Richmond Public Library's new Cambie Branch will be opening later this fall and its focus is on family literacy and early childhood development. The Rotary Club of Richmond is focusing its fundraising efforts this year on reading and literacy, which is why all the profits from this seminar will be going to the new Cambie library.
Robin Elliott, the featured speaker for the seminar, has worked with businesses in Africa, Canada and the United States since 1987 and has trained thousands of people in his seminars. Elliott has helped hundreds of people buy and start their businesses. He has appeared on national television and in newspapers, and his articles have appeared in a variety of national magazines. In addition, Elliott has written five books and has made 14 videos and dozens of audiotapes on business. He is a popular speaker, seminar presenter, trainer, and sales and marketing consultant. For more information about Robin see www.dollarmakers.com.
The Rotary Club of Richmond, who is one of the sponsors of this seminar, was formed in 1962 and is one of over 30,000 Rotary clubs around the world, and one of four Rotary clubs in Richmond. The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self". Rotarians are professional men and women who work as volunteers to improve the quality of life in their own community and in the world community. Their membership represents a cross-section of local business and professional leaders. They meet weekly and are non-political, non-religious and open to all cultures, races and creeds.
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This three-part program is aimed at business owners, managers, and professionals who manage their own practices. The first session introduces the Inter-Generational Planning Framework for Canadian Businesses, which focuses on beginning with the exit strategy in mind. This framework enables business owners to retire as well as increase the value and marketability of their business for future generations, shareholders, or owners. The framework also introduces timely cost reduction, tax reduction, and cash flow management strategies. The second session covers personal/family strategies; equitable estate distribution, the pitfalls of will based planning, and how to ensure beneficiaries do not squander their inheritances. The last session is a customized Q&A session designed to address the financial issues and concerns faced by participants of the program in the areas of tax planning, cash flow management, and the impact of the New BC Corporations Act.
"The library wants to offer programs that are relevant and practical, and clearly there's a need for that in Richmond's business community," said librarian Desiree Baron. "It is an honour for my team to serve Richmond business leaders by offering them a safe place to ask questions about how to grow their businesses," added Alphil Guilaran from the Financial Literacy Counsel. For more information, please call Desiree Baron at 604-278-9811 ext. 608.
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Ernie Hamm, a member of Toastmasters International since 1995, will teach the audience how to organize and craft a speech, as well as how to deliver a good speech. "Mr. Hamm plans to get the audience involved in this workshop so that they can learn by participating," said communications officer Shelley Civkin. "He will also cover things like vocal variety, using expressive gestures for effect, making eye contact with the audience and lots of other techniques," added Civkin. Participants are encouraged to bring a pen and paper to the workshop.
"At some point in most people's lives, they will be called upon to speak in public, whether it's at work, at a celebration, proposing a toast, or for some other occasion. This workshop is a great opportunity to learn how to become comfortable speaking in public," added Civkin.
Ernie Hamm joined Toastmasters International in order to develop his teaching and presentation skills and has been involved in Toastmasters in a number of executive positions. Toastmasters International is an organization dedicated to helping people develop public speaking and leadership skills. Hamm is currently employed as a part time instructor in the Wood Products Manufacturing Technology at the B.C. Institute of Technology. Previous to that he worked for 22 years as a research scientist and technologist for Forintek Canada Corp.
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"The kids had a great time and the weather cooperated this year, so we were able to hold the ceremony outside," said Helen Moore, head of youth services. "The library is grateful to the Royal Bank Financial Group for providing the medals. They're a big part of Summer Reading Club for the kids. It's a way of remembering the fun they had and acknowledging the progress they made with their reading skills during the summer," added Moore. "It's nice because the medal will be a reminder for the kids of what a great summer they had reading. If any kids haven't receive a medal yet, there all still medals at all three branches while supplies last."
Nearly 4,000 children of all ages participated in the province-wide Summer Reading Club at Richmond Public Library this year. Each child got a booklet to keep track of all the books they read, and they got stickers and stamps as well. The library held programs all summer long to celebrate the fun of books and reading.
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The first two-part program (#948) is on Phalaenopsis and takes place on Sept. 7th and 28th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Brighouse (Main) Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The programs are for English and Cantonese speakers. The cost is $10 per two-part program. To register for these programs visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call the library at 604-231-6405 (English) or 604-231-6462 (Chinese) or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.
"The first session of the program will cover different types of Phalaenopsis, how to grow them, where to place the plant in your house, common diseases and what to do about them, and how to select Phalaenopsis," said Wendy Jang, head of multilingual services. "The second session of the program will cover the participants' experience in growing Phalaenopsis, and the teachers will offer individual advice and answer questions. The teachers may arrange a field trip to an orchid farm outside class time," added Jang.
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The “Reading Buddies” program will take place every Tuesday from Sept. 23rd - Nov. 4th from 3:30-4:15 p.m. OR 4:30-5:15 p.m. in the Youth Services Program Room at the Brighouse (Main) Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. Each session runs for 45 minutes and registration is required. Participants can only choose one of the two timeslots. Registration starts on Sept. 5th and forms can be picked up at the Brighouse Youth Services desk. They must be returned by Sept. 12th. “Due to the overwhelming popularity of this program, names will be drawn by lottery,” added Andersen. Please contact the Kirsten at 604-278-9811 ext. 619 after Sept. 16th to confirm your child’s admission to the program.
“The Reading Buddies program is a great way for kids to improve their reading skills in a fun and relaxing environment. It is especially helpful for ESL students but any child in grade 1-4 is welcome to register,” said Andersen. Each child will be matched one-on-one with a high school student buddy for the seven weeks. The two will take turns reading to each other and discussing books. At the end of each session, there are fun group games to play.
Andersen said that this is an important 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 experience for both the younger child and the teen,” added Andersen. For more information call Kirsten at 604-278-9811 ext. 619 or email her at kirsten.andersen@yourlibrary.ca
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“This program is such a tremendous hit with kids and parents that we have decided to expand the program to accommodate more children. The teen tutors provide a fun learning environment for the younger kids and it’s a win-win situation. The younger kids get free homework help and the teens have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain experience in tutoring, and meet other teen tutors,” said youth services librarian Kirsten Andersen.
This program is free but registration is limited. To register, pick up a form at the Brighouse Youth Services desk starting Sept. 5th. Forms must be returned by Sept. 12th. “Due to the popularity of the program, names will be drawn by lottery,” added Andersen. Please contact the library after Sept. 16th to confirm your child’s admission to the program.
“This free homework help is wonderful for families who are looking for an alternative to private tutoring. The advantages of library-based tutoring are that it supports community initiative, makes use of the library’s wide and varied resources, and brings younger kids as well as teens to a fun and relaxed group learning environment,” added Andersen. Younger and older kids work together each week to complete homework assignments, do education activities and work towards academic goals. The library will also provide educational worksheets for children who do not have homework each week. And at the end of each session they get to play fun group games.
An information page for parents about the after school tutoring program is now available on the library’s Web site. Go to www.yourlibrary.ca/community.cfm
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The “Reading Buddies” program will take place every Tuesday from Sept. 23rd - Nov. 4th from 3:30-4:15 p.m. OR 4:30-5:15 p.m. in the Youth Services Program Room at the Brighouse (Main) Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. Each session runs for 45 minutes and registration is required. Participants can only choose one of the two timeslots. Registration starts on Sept. 5th and forms can be picked up at the Brighouse Youth Services desk. They must be returned by Sept. 12th. “Due to the overwhelming popularity of this program, names will be drawn by lottery,” added Andersen. Please contact the Kirsten at 604-278-9811 ext. 619 after Sept. 16th to confirm your child’s admission to the program.
“The Reading Buddies program is a great way for kids to improve their reading skills in a fun and relaxing environment. It is especially helpful for ESL students but any child in grade 1-4 is welcome to register,” said Andersen. Each child will be matched one-on-one with a high school student buddy for the seven weeks. The two will take turns reading to each other and discussing books. At the end of each session, there are fun group games to play.
Andersen said that this is an important 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 experience for both the younger child and the teen,” added Andersen. For more information call Kirsten at 604-278-9811 ext. 619 or email her at kirsten.andersen@yourlibrary.ca
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As a medium size library system with three branches and the new Cambie Branch opening later this fall, whose focus will be on family literacy and early childhood development, RPL is one of the busiest libraries around. Open seven days a week and having the longest opening hours of any library, they manage to provide amazingly broad service with funding of only $36.36 per capita, as compared to Vancouver Public Library's $60.37 per capita funding.
"Recognizing that literacy education is the foundation for lifelong learning, RPL has identified a myriad of ways in which people learn, and provides a variety of free services and resources to respond to the literacy needs of the entire community," says Shelley Civkin, communications officer for Richmond Public Library.
"Literacy is the basis for success in everything we do and because of that, it is especially important to encourage children to read and share the reading experience with them from a very young age," says Civkin. "Studies show that the best indicator of a child's success in school at age 18 is the strength of their language skills when they enter school at age five."
Richmond Public Library has something to offer everyone. Here's a sample of what you can enjoy: Speak, Read, Succeed Interactive Checklist (http://www.yourlibrary.ca/speakread.cfm?lev1=6&lev2=1) · This Web site features a Talking, Hearing & Understanding Interactive Checklist and Web links to help parents determine if their child's speech, language and hearing skills are developing properly to become fluent readers. · This Web site emphasizes that reading to a preschool child everyday is one of the best ways to guarantee they have the skills to speak, read, and succeed.
Daily storytimes for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers · Stories, songs, fingerplays and rhymes delight young children and promote a love of learning. · Storytimes encourage children to experience the excitement of books, language and reading. Reading Buddies Program · This free program pairs up kids in grades one to four who want to improve their reading skills with a Teen Council volunteer "Reading Buddy". The teen volunteers work one-on-one with younger "buddies" to help them practice their reading, and choose good books together. After-school Tutoring · The library provides free, drop-in after school tutoring and homework help for children in grades one to six. The teen tutors provide a fun learning environment for the younger kids and it's a win-win situation. The younger kids get free homework help and the teens have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain experience in tutoring. English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation Circles · These classes are designed to foster cross-cultural understanding and provide a forum for new immigrants to practice their English language conversation skills. Reading Clubs · Recognizing that literacy is not just limited to English language literacy but also includes preserving the language of other cultures, RPL offers reading clubs in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. · The library provides the reading material free of charge. Computer Literacy Programs · The library's award-winning Web page www.yourlibrary.ca includes many literacy-based learning tools. · The Cyberteens, Cyberseniors program has teens helping seniors one-on-one with their computing skills. · The library also provides software that helps literacy learners to read and spell.
"Once you experience what the library has to offer, you'll see that books do more than just entertain. They educate, they excite, they teach, and they help people soar to new heights," added Civkin. To find out more about other library programs you can contact Richmond Public Library at 604-231-6405.
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“Le Club Francais gives teens the opportunity to help out in the community by being a big buddy and a role model to younger kids in French immersion,” said youth services librarian, Kirsten Andersen. “Using your unique talents and special French language skills in this free one-on-one reading buddy group can be a very satisfying experience both for the teens and the younger students.
Le Club Francais takes place on Tuesdays after school from September 23rd to November 4th, at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, Program Room, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. This program is free but registration is necessary. To register please contact Kirsten Andersen at 604-278-9811 ext. 619 or by email at kirsten.andersen@yourlibrary.ca.
“Each child will be paired up with a ‘buddy’ who is a high school student and fluent in French. They will read books in French and practice French together,” said Andersen. At the end, the reading buddy group of teens and kids gets together to play games and have fun.
“This unique program is designed to give young French Immersion students support with their French vocabulary, pronunciation and comprehension by working with a teen buddy, reading and discussing French books, and working together on homework assignments,” added Andersen. “This is a great opportunity for kids in grades 1-4 and high school students in French Immersion to use their French language skills outside of school.” For more information contact Kirsten Andersen at 604-278-9811 ext. 619 or kirsten.andersen@yourlibrary.ca
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"Anyone who has any assets should have a will, yet it's something that people don't like to think about," said librarian Desiree Baron. The workshop is for seniors and their families and is being offered in partnership with the People's Law School. The speaker is an experienced lawyer who will outline the basic steps in preparing a will, including the representation agreement, power of attorney and nomination of committee. The speaker will also discuss the legal consequences for failing to make these documents or making documents that are not legally binding. For more information please call Desiree Baron at 604-278-9811 ext. 608.
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“We’ve got a selection of videos that are suitable for coaches of all kinds - from parents and teachers, to coaches on leagues and at schools,” said Shelley Civkin, communications officer. The videos explore coaching and training kids of all ages, and emphasize the games’ fun approach to practice and learning, rather than repetitive skill drills. Viewers will learn the most effective strategies, techniques and instructions for coaching various sports.
The coaching videos include soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, football, baseball, softball and hockey. “These can be really useful tools not only for the coaches but also for the kids,” added Civkin. Some come on down at ‘half-time’ and check out the great selection of videos at Richmond Public Library. ”They shoot, they score!”
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The classes are five hours long and teach the participants how to find a job that's right for them. People who take the course can expect to learn about the main duties and responsibilities of specific careers, how to determine if that career will be in demand in the future, what the major resources are for job postings (both print and online), and how to locate employers in specific industries. Participants will also learn about the many how-to resources available to help them write a resume and cover letter, and prepare for a job interview. To register, come into any branch of RPL, call 604-231-6405, or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.
"Half the class is spent looking at print resources and the other half using the Internet. Keyboarding and mouse skills are required. The instructors also give a library tour and explain the services available for job seekers, such as faxing and computer resources," said Mark Ellis, manager of reference and information services. "The library is open seven days a week and staff is available to assist you with your job searching needs." Registration for these free classes is limited to 10 people per class and the library offers individuals a half-hour, one-on-one follow-up if they want. "The great thing about the library's 'Researching the Job Market' class is, it's free!" added Ellis. "People who have attended in the past have commented on how informative and practical the class is."
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"This program will teach diabetics how to check their blood sugar and will give them information on how to control diabetes through a proper diet," said Wendy Jang, head of multilingual services. A registered nurse and a dietician will conduct the program. Participants will receive a certificate when they complete both sessions. The program will cover the causes, symptoms and complications of diabetes, how to self-monitor your blood sugar, treatment methods, types of medication and diet. "This is essential information for newly-diagnosed diabetics," added Jang.
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A workshop for English and Mandarin speaking adults, called "Information and Resources for Starting a Small Business" (#891) will take place on July 9 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the lecture hall at the Brighouse (Main) Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The program is free and will be in English with Mandarin interpretation. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call the library at 604-231-6462 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. Or you can register by visiting or calling SUCCESS (Richmond office) at 604-279-7180.
The speaker is from the Canada / BC Business Services Society, and will discuss different types of business and their advantages and disadvantages; legal requirements (e.g. registration, taxation, etc.); and where to find information and resources.
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The programs are free and will be in English with Mandarin interpretation. To register for these programs visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call the library at 604-231-6462 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. Or you can register by visiting or calling SUCCESS (Richmond office) at 604-279-7180.
The speaker is from the Income Security Programs Department at Human Resources Development Canada, and will discuss different types of federal benefits for seniors, how to apply for them, and qualifications required. There will also be time for questions
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Sankar's book Journey to Joy is a collection of thoughts and approaches to dealing with loss, pain, loneliness, anger and fear. According to the author, we needn't give up hope. She believes that joy is readily available to all of us; it's just waiting for us to claim it. Sankar says "This book is meant to give you comfort and inspire you to make it through crises in your life…and help you transform your life." Journey to Joy encourages people to learn to accept, love and honor themselves by becoming attuned to their spiritual selves
Sankar is an internationally acclaimed journalist and writer who has worked with the Globe & Mail, the Vancouver Sun, the Victoria Times Colonist, the Times of London and the Sunday Times of London. She has written newspaper columns, given lectures and participated in a radio talk show, all on the topics of inspiration, self-discovery and joy.
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"The Summer Reading Club encourages kids to discover the fun and excitement of reading," said head of children's services, Helen Moore. "Each child who joins the Summer Reading Club will receive a booklet to keep track of the books they've read. They'll also get stamps, bookmarks and cool, new stickers each week for their reading booklets, and there will be fun activities offered at all library branches until the end of August. And there are weekly prize draws, too. The best part is that library cards and all Summer Reading Club programs are free," added Moore.
Joining the Summer Reading Club is easy - just visit any of the three RPL branches between June 26th and the end of summer. There are no telephone or e-mail registrations. "Summer Reading Club is a great opportunity for kids to maintain and improve their reading skills during the summer months and join other kids for a variety of weekly group activities. Kids really look forward to the weekly stickers and prize draws and it keeps them reading all summer long," said Moore. Kids will also have the opportunity to write book reviews for the local newspaper.
For more information visit or call any branch of Richmond Public Library, check the library's newsletter, or log onto www.yourlibrary.ca. You can also call the Youth Services desk at 604-231-6412.
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The award is presented to the library for developing an imaginative and unique set of resources to meet customers' reference needs. The resources, which are located on the library's Web site www.yourlibrary.ca include: the Canadian Citizenship Practice Test; the BC Practice Driving Test; Speak, Read, Succeed Interactive Checklist; and the Online Purchase Suggestion Form.
"This is considered a very prestigious award, and the competition is stiff, considering that libraries from all over North America are eligible to apply," said head of readers' advisory, Shelley Civkin. "We're thrilled to have won this award and are extremely proud that it reflects so positively on our services," added Civkin. Richmond Public Library created this collection of unique online interactive resources to help residents within the Richmond community and beyond, to locate specific, practical information. The award is sponsored by the Gale Group, Inc. and administered by RUSA (Reference and User Services Association), which is a division of the American Library Association.
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"Library staff has developed an imaginative and unique set of resources to meet our customers' practical reference needs," said chief librarian Buss. "We created this collection of online interactive resources in-house, to help Richmond residents and others find specific information they can use in their daily lives." The resources, which are located on the library's Web site www.yourlibrary.ca include: the Canadian Citizenship Practice Test; the BC Practice Driving Test; Speak, Read, Succeed Interactive Checklist; the Online Purchase Suggestion Form; and My Picks. "We are honored to be recognized with this very prestigious award," added Buss.
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Teens can attend some or all of the workshops. The first workshop (#862), called "Writing Book Reviews", takes place on July 6th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Not only will teens learn how to write reviews of books and other material, but they'll also have the opportunity to get published on the library's Teen Web Site. The second writing workshop (#863), called "Tricks of the Trade", will feature local author David Ward and will take place July 20th from 1-2:30 p.m. The third workshop (#864) is called "Journalism", and will take place on Aug. 10th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Journalist, editor and librarian Chris Miller will help teens refine, rework and polish their writing. You are asked to bring a piece of your writing to this workshop. The last workshop is a "Teen Poetry Workshop" (#865) and it takes place on Aug. 24th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. It will include poetry exercises and games. Led by Pandora's Poetry Collective, this workshop will help you get your poetry ready for publication and public readings.
All the workshops are free, but registration is required. "I'm sure the workshops will extremely popular with creative teens who have the opportunity to do more writing during the summer. The sessions will offer a good variety of skills for teens that enjoy expressing themselves through their writing," said youth services librarian, Kirsten Andersen.
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"The Summer Reading Club encourages kids to discover the fun and excitement of reading," said head of children's services, Helen Moore. "Each child who joins the Summer Reading Club will receive a booklet to keep track of the books they've read. They'll also get stamps, bookmarks and cool, new stickers each week for their reading booklets, and there will be fun activities offered at all library branches until the end of August. And there are weekly prize draws, too. The best part is that library cards and all Summer Reading Club programs are free," added Moore.
Joining the Summer Reading Club is easy - just visit any of the three RPL branches between June 26th and the end of summer. There are no telephone or e-mail registrations. "Summer Reading Club is a great opportunity for kids to maintain and improve their reading skills during the summer months and join other kids for a variety of weekly group activities. Kids really look forward to the weekly stickers and prize draws and it keeps them reading all summer long," said Moore. Kids will also have the opportunity to write book reviews for the local newspaper.
For more information visit or call any branch of Richmond Public Library, check the library's newsletter, or log onto www.yourlibrary.ca. You can also call the Youth Services desk at 604-231-6412.
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Teens can attend some or all of the workshops. The first workshop (#862), called "Writing Book Reviews", takes place on July 6th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Not only will teens learn how to write reviews of books and other material, but they'll also have the opportunity to get published on the library's Teen Web Site. The second writing workshop (#863), called "Tricks of the Trade", will feature local author David Ward and will take place July 20th from 1-2:30 p.m. The third workshop (#864) is called "Journalism", and will take place on Aug. 10th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Journalist, editor and librarian Chris Miller will help teens refine, rework and polish their writing. You are asked to bring a piece of your writing to this workshop. The last workshop is a "Teen Poetry Workshop" (#865) and it takes place on Aug. 24th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. It will include poetry exercises and games. Led by Pandora's Poetry Collective, this workshop will help you get your poetry ready for publication and public readings.
All the workshops are free, but registration is required. "I'm sure the workshops will extremely popular with creative teens who have the opportunity to do more writing during the summer. The sessions will offer a good variety of skills for teens that enjoy expressing themselves through their writing," said youth services librarian, Kirsten Andersen.
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"We feel strongly about the need for library service in this area of Richmond, and we're delighted to be involved in making this happen," said Wright. She believes that by supporting the new Cambie library, the East Richmond Community Association is helping to promote the importance of reading and literacy. "Our support of the library can make a tremendous difference in the community," added Wright.
The Cambie branch, whose focus will be on family literacy and early childhood development, will benefit all the residents of Richmond. "This generous donation by the East Richmond Community Association will have a lasting impact on families living in Richmond," said library board chair, Lesley Wood Bernbaum. "Helping young children and families with their literacy skills will ultimately result in increased success in education and employment opportunities."
The Friends of the Richmond Public Library have also stepped up to the plate in their support of the new Cambie branch. They have generously donated $20,000 to the new library, money that they have raised through their annual book sales. The money will go towards the purchase of books and other materials in the areas of literacy learning, early childhood development, English as a second language, and TOEFL. "The Friends of the Library stand out as the most committed and dedicated group of fundraisers and volunteers that the library has, and we're extremely grateful for their ongoing support," added Wood Bernbaum. We hope that their spirit of generosity inspires other individual donors and community sponsors to support the new Cambie library," said Wood Bernbaum.
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"Recognizing that the library is a vital and basic service for everyone in our community, we are committed to providing collections and services that Richmond residents depend upon," said library board chair, Lesley Wood Bernbaum. The operating grant is provided through the ministry's annual grant program, and helps fund the purchase of library materials, as well as covering general operating expenses.
The grant will also help fund the purchase of public access computers, electronic databases and Internet access, all of which enhance library services. "New communications technologies and information resources are appearing all the time, and the provincial government's grant helps the library make these available for our customers," added Wood Bernbaum.
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"The library will be using this generous grant money for a project that brings educators from Let's Talk Science into the library to do interactive presentations on ocean pollution for two elementary school classes," said library board chair, Lesley Wood Bernbaum. Let's Talk Science is an organization that offers innovative science programs that engage young people and encourage them to understand the importance of science in our world.
As part of the grant project, the library will purchase children's books, videos and material in other formats that raise awareness about pollution and promote community involvement in environmental protection. "Our hope is that this new awareness will lead children to become involved in protecting our environment," added Wood Bernbaum. "This grant not only makes resources about the environment freely available to children in the community, but it gets them excited through participation in a hands-on science program."
Being a West Coast city, Richmond faces a constant and ongoing concern about water pollution. "This issue should be in the forefront of environmental awareness for this community," said Wood Bernbaum. "The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation grant supports the efforts of Canadians who are dedicated to the well being of our environment. Helping young people become more finely attuned to the issues surrounding pollution can only make for a better community," added Wood Bernbaum.
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"The teens who initiated this fun event were successful in raising awareness of the need for a library in East Richmond. Their Read-A-Thon not only promoted the importance of reading and literacy, but also helped the teens develop their leadership skills by planning and carrying out this event," added Moore. The positive and personal contributions that these young adults made to the community will have a lasting impact and benefit all residents of Richmond. "Their active involvement in supporting the new library reinforces the idea that each individual in the community can indeed create a legacy and make a difference," said Moore.
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"There are three steps to getting involved as a Teen Reading Buddy," said youth services librarian Dace Beggs. First, you need to fill out the Teen Tutor & Reading Buddies registration form online at www.yourlibrary.ca/teenform.cfm, and applications will be accepted until June 11th. Along with the application, you'll need to submit a letter of reference outlining why you are a good candidate for this program. The letter can be from a teacher, a school counselor, an employer, someone you babysit for, a youth group leader, a family friend, or any adult who knows you in a professional capacity.
Please submit this letter of reference by June 11th. It can be sent by email, regular mail, fax, or can be dropped off in person. Contact information is: Dace Beggs, Youth Services Librarian, Richmond Public Library, #100-7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, B.C. V6Y 1R9; phone 604-278-9811 ext. 675; fax 604-273-0459; email dace.beggs@yourlibrary.ca. If you have been a Teen Reading Buddy in the past, you just need to contact Dace Beggs at the number above.
"If you have met the first two requirements, you will be invited to a short, informal interview at the library. This will be a chance for us to meet you, answer your questions, and confirm your availability," added Beggs. "Once you have been accepted to the Reading Buddies Program, you will be required to attend a training and orientation session that will familiarize you with the resources, the program coordinators and your fellow Reading Buddies."
Beggs added that this is great opportunity to meet new friends, gain valuable experience, get CAPP hours for school, help out in the community and have fun. She urges teens to get involved and make a difference in the community.
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"New immigrants need to know how to prevent crime and they need to know what kind of services the Richmond RCMP can offer," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. The speaker will introduce participants to the Richmond RCMP's community services, tell them about the steps they can take to prevent crime, how to report a crime and other security issues in Richmond. For more information call 604-231-6462.
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"This important seminar about the BC public education system and ESL programs in school, is valuable information for new immigrants to have," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. The speaker will offer advice on how new immigrant students can adapt more easily to the local schools. The central role that parents play in their children's education will also be discussed. For more information call 604-231-6462.
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“This three-part course will teach couples financial strategies as they begin their life together. Sessions will include the following topics: reducing debt, budgeting basics, investment strategies, and intergenerational inheritance strategies. We have offered other programs by the Financial Literacy Counsel in the past and they’ve been very successful, so they’re back by popular demand,” said librarian Desiree Baron. “We want to assure couples that there is no promotion of any specific financial companies or their products,” added Baron. “The library is simply providing a comfortable, no-pressure environment in which newlyweds and couples who are about to marry, can learn some valuable and practical financial information.” For more information, please call Desiree Baron at 604-278-9811 ext. 608.
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"This workshop will help make buying a computer much easier. Participants will learn about research sources; tips for buying; whether to buy a PC or a Mac; where and when to buy a computer; about hardware, software and add-ons; and about training requirements," said head of readers' advisory, Shelley Civkin. There will also be time for questions at the end of the workshop. Registration is limited, so sign up soon.
Holt has specialized in networking technologies and is a volunteer teacher coordinator and instructor for the Surrey Sunrise Senior Centre. He teaches various computer-related courses, including Internet, and Windows operating systems. He also volunteers at various Lower Mainland libraries, speaking about computers.
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“This three-part course will teach couples financial strategies as they begin their life together. Sessions will include the following topics: reducing debt, budgeting basics, investment strategies, and intergenerational inheritance strategies. We have offered other programs by the Financial Literacy Counsel in the past and they’ve been very successful, so they’re back by popular demand,” said librarian Desiree Baron. “We want to assure couples that there is no promotion of any specific financial companies or their products,” added Baron. “The library is simply providing a comfortable, no-pressure environment in which newlyweds and couples who are about to marry, can learn some valuable and practical financial information.” For more information, please call Desiree Baron at 604-278-9811 ext. 608.
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"We're grateful to our many community partners and sponsors for their role in helping support the teens' involvement with the library. This is an opportunity for us to thank them publicly. It's also a time for celebration and fun," said young adult librarian, Kirsten Andersen. Family and friends are invited to attend. Many VIP guests have been invited, such as city officials, the Library Board, the School Board, and various community organizations, as well as other community leaders and representatives.
Teen involvement at the library includes such projects as: After School Tutoring, Brighouse Reading Buddies, Cambie Reading Buddies, Cyberteens, Cambie Youth Taking Charge, InterLINK Teen Bookmark Contest winners and more.
"The teens will have an opportunity to talk personally about their many different involvements at the library, and there will be music, food and fun," added Andersen. "There will be a recognition and awards ceremony for all the teens who have shown such amazing initiative at the library. They are all winners!"
"The library is grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment of the many teens who have helped make the library such a success. Their initiative and participation adds an element of community pride that definitely has the potential to inspire others," added Andersen.
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"This class will help make purchasing a used car much easier. You'll learn about your legal rights as a buyer of a used vehicle, sale agreements, warranties, and the extra costs involved," said head of readers' advisory, Shelley Civkin. "Mr. McHugh will also discuss safety and emission requirements, and inspection services available, as well as how to choose between a dealer and a private sale," added Civkin. There will also be time for questions and answers at the end of the workshop. Registration is limited, so sign up soon.
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"This idea was initiated by local teens who are interested in law and debating and want to meet other teens to work on their debating skills. They'll be able practice their skills by participating in some informal debates," said young adult librarian, Kirsten Andersen. "The teens are in charge of deciding how often to meet, what topics to debate, and how to run the debates. Everyone is encouraged to come to the first meeting to help plan for the debating club," added Andersen.
The debating experience has the potential to help teens in many areas of their life, including school, future jobs, and possible careers in the legal profession, among other things. This new program will likely attract a large number of teens, so don't miss out on the fun!
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"Apparently anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem," said head of readers' advisory, Shelley Civkin. "The purpose of this program is to raise awareness of anxiety disorders and what can be done about them," added Civkin. Haring's talk will answer questions like: What is anxiety? How do I know if I need to get treatment for my anxiety? What other problems frequently occur with anxiety? What causes anxiety? What are the effective treatments for anxiety disorders? What books and Web sites are helpful for people with anxiety?
The guest speaker, Michelle Haring, has specialized in the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders. She is the coordinator of the Worry Management Program at UBC Hospital, which aims to provide people with concrete skills to help them manage chronic, uncontrollable worry. She is also active in the Anxiety Disorders Association of BC, a non-profit organization that strives to increase awareness of anxiety disorders. "It's appropriate during Mental Health Week, which is May 5 - 11, that the library participate in addressing some of the issues surrounding mental health in an open, honest way. Our partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association allows us to get the word out that mental health is something that people can, and should, talk about freely," added Civkin. "We're delighted to have a speaker who can help dispel the myths and offer solid information and answers."
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The Richmond Public Library welcomes Josephson as she shows participants how to use their shopping cart as a nutrition barometer. Josephson, who has an active practice as a nutrition coach in Vancouver, is launching the completely revised and expanded edition of her book Heartsmart Nutrition - Shopping on the Run. More information about the book and her practice can be found at http://www.yournutritioncoach.com.
"Ms. Josephson will share useful tips and the latest research on healthy eating, including ideas for simple meals and snacks. In her fun, practical manner, she'll teach you how to eat for energy and manage your weight once and for all. She'll also offer a sneak preview on Health Canada's pending food label legislation," said librarian Desiree Baron. Copies of Josephson's new book will be available for purchase at the event. There will be other speakers throughout the day, as well as prize draws.
"This is a unique opportunity for seniors and their families to meet Ramona and hear an expert discuss nutrition," added Baron. For more information please call Desiree Baron at 604-278-9811 ext. 608.
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The Poetry Café is a less formal drop-in event that will be held on April 11th from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the café beside the lecture hall at the Brighouse (Main) Branch. Free coffee, hot chocolate and snacks will be served.
"The poetry workshop will teach the young writers how to break down creative barriers with poetry exercises and games," said head of youth services, Helen Moore. 'They'll learn how to get their poetry ready for publication and public readings and then they'll be set to come to the Poetry Café. The Poetry Café is a great venue for teens to read their own work or read the work of their favorite poet," added Moore. There will also be free prizes at the Poetry Café. Teens can attend the workshop, the poetry café, or both. Kim Minkus, who will lead the workshop and MC the Poetry Café, was selected as one of Ottawa's top up-and-coming writers by Xpress Magazine. She is a founding member of the Kitchen Dream Poetry Collective and she organizes and participates in poetry readings at Simon Fraser University.
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To register for this program visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call the library at 604-231-6405 or register online at http://www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. Or you can register by visiting or calling SUCCESS (Richmond office) at 604-279-7180. For more information call 604-231-6462.
"This program provides all sorts of important information for job seekers on how to find job postings in the federal public service, what kinds of jobs are available, application procedures, the selection process, and benefits. The speaker is a representative from the Public Service Commission of Canada. There will also be a question period at the end," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang.
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The guest speaker is Yael Drinkle, an employment counselor with Richmond Youth Services Agency. She works directly in the Youth Internship Program whose goal is to help youth ages 16-30 break the "no experience-no work, no work-no experience," cycle. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in psychology from the University of British Columbia. She has also worked assisting victims of crime with the Victim Services Unit of the Vancouver Police Department.
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"Richmond Public Library, as part of Public Library InterLINK, is holding the bookmark contest to celebrate books, teens and libraries as well as the many positive contributions that teens make to the public library," said head of youth services, Helen Moore. "We want to help celebrate youth and lifelong reading with something fun and creative," added Moore. "After all, what's more appropriate than a bookmark to celebrate books and reading?"
Judges will select the winners based on artistic merit, originality, and appropriateness to the theme of books, teens and libraries. Winners' names will be sent to the local media and winners will be recognized at a Teen Fest in May at the library. The first place winner will have 10,000 copies of his/her winning bookmark design printed and distributed throughout the InterLINK area. Public Library InterLINK is the cooperative federation of 17 public libraries encompassing over 70 library sites, from the Fraser Valley to the Sunshine Coast and serving over 2.3 million residents.
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The first program, called "Introduction to Long-term Care Services for Seniors" (#662) will take place on March 19th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The second program, called "Introduction to Medicare and Community Health Services in Richmond" (#663) will take place on March 26th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Both programs will be held at the Richmond Public Library, Brighouse (Main) Branch, Lecture Hall, located at 7700 Minoru Gate.
The programs are free and will be in English with Mandarin interpretation. To register for these programs visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call the library at 604-231-6462 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. Or you can register by visiting or calling SUCCESS (Richmond office) at 604-279-7180.
"The speaker from the Richmond Health Services, Continuing Care Department will discuss types of senior care services available in the community, qualifications required to access those services, doctor's referrals and more. The speaker, who will be talking about Medicare and community health services in Richmond, will discuss MSP (what it covers and who qualifies), general information about the health system, the variety of community health services, and how to get a family doctor," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. "The goal of these seminars is to provide specific and practical information for new immigrants," added Jang. For more information please call 604-231-6462.
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"Many parents experience parenting teens as more difficult than the 'Terrible Twos'. In fact, these two very different age groups actually have a lot in common," said Stoll. "This practical workshop will provide you with tips and strategies to help both you and your teen enjoy this phase of parenting more," added Stoll. Parents can look forward to gaining insights into the challenges and rewards of parenting teens.
Stoll is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 25 years experience in the helping professions. She counsels teens, adults and couples as well as contracting her teaching and training skills to colleges, institutes, businesses, agencies and school boards throughout British Columbia.
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"This course is a great way for seniors 55 and over to refresh their knowledge of driver education. This theory-based course teaches seniors new approaches and concepts for dealing with age-related changes that may affect their driving ability," said librarian Desiree Baron. "It will help seniors build their confidence behind the wheel, by looking at some typical driving situations, including changes in road signs. I think that this is a really positive step that people can take towards maintaining personal independence and keeping their driving privileges," added Baron.
This course is for drivers who are noticing changes in their own driving habits, reflexes and responses. It's a dual-purpose presentation in that it promotes road safety and enhances driver education. The course will focus 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 driving related concerns.. For more information or to register please call the BC Safety Council at 604-214-9714. or check out their website at www.safetycouncil.bc.ca.
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The award is presented to the library for developing an imaginative and unique set of resources to meet customers' reference needs. The resources, which are located on the library's Web site www.yourlibrary.ca include: the Canadian Citizenship Practice Test http://www.yourlibrary.ca/citizenship/ ; the BC Practice Driving Test http://www.yourlibrary.ca/driving/ ; Speak, Read, Succeed Interactive Checklist http://www.yourlibrary.ca/speakread.cfm?lev1=6&lev2=1; and the Online Purchase Suggestion Form which can be found at http://www.yourlibrary.ca/purchasesuggestion.cfm?lev1=10&pageref=0&printval=no.
Richmond Public Library created this collection of unique online interactive resources to help residents within the Richmond community and beyond, to locate specific, practical information. The award is sponsored by the Gale Group, Inc. and administered by RUSA (Reference and User Services Association), which is a division of the American Library Association. "This is considered a very prestigious award, and the competition is stiff, considering that libraries from all over North America are eligible to apply," said head of readers' advisory, Shelley Civkin. "We're thrilled to have won this award and are extremely proud that it reflects so positively on our services," added Civkin. The award will be presented at the joint Canadian Library Association/American Library Association Conference in Toronto in June.
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Mandarin speakers can register for program #658 to be held on Feb. 26th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. with guest speaker Andrew Liu. For Cantonese speakers, program #659 will be held on March 2nd from 2 - 4 p.m. and will be presented by Yik Fung Au-Yeung. On March 13th from 7 - 9 p.m. another accountant (to be announced) will present a session in Mandarin. All sessions are free and will be held in the Lecture Hall at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, phone 604-231-6462 or 604-279-7180, or register online at http://www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.
"The speakers will walk participants through the steps of filling out an income tax return and discuss recent important changes to the Canadian tax system. There will also be a question and answer period at the end," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. These sessions are co-sponsored by the Richmond Public Library and SUCCESS (Richmond Office).
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Councillor Bill McNulty will serve as City Council representative to the new Library Board. The Board's newest member is Lyn Greenhill, former City Councillor. Returning Board members include Keiron McConnell, Greg Smith, Leslie Wilson, Rama Singhal and Henry Beh.
"Richmond is a vibrant, rapidly growing community with high expectations for library services and collections. Richmond Public Library is committed to satisfying the community's high demand for library services by being innovative, proactive and responsive. Our goal is to provide collections and services for lifelong learning, in a variety of languages and formats," said Library Board Chair Wood Bernbaum. "We want to provide a comfortable atmosphere for our customers to explore and enjoy traditional services as well as leading edge technologies," added Wood Bernbaum. "We continue to embrace the changes ahead and look forward to finding new ways to meet the needs of Richmond citizens."
Richmond Public Library is also planning a much-needed renovation of the Brighouse (Main) Branch that will provide more study space and make the library easier to use. With City Council's recent review and approval, plans are also underway to build an East Richmond interim library branch, an area in the community that has been underserved in terms of library service. This small interim branch will be located in the Cambie Plaza, at the corner of No. 5 Road and Cambie Rd.
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"The Richmond Public Library strongly supports the principle of intellectual freedom, which guarantees all people freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression," said chief librarian Greg Buss. The displays will be located throughout the Brighouse (Main) Branch and at the Ironwood and Steveston branches. They will highlight the broad range of books that have been challenged over time and around the world. "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 Buss.
Every year in Canada and the U.S., classic titles such as Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and even the Bible, as well as books like Asha's Mums by Rosamund Elwin, and Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker, are challenged or banned in schools and libraries. Even the Harry Potter books, which are one of the most popular series to ever be published, have been challenged.
There will be a Freedom to Read link dealing with censorship, on the library's Web site at www.yourlibrary.ca. The Freedom to Read link provides access to the Book and Periodical Council's Freedom to Read Home Page. Other links include the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, as well as a link dealing with Freedom of Expression and censorship in Canada.
"It's all about respecting peoples' individual choices, because everyone has different ideas about what is offensive and what is acceptable. 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 material in all kinds of formats," commented Buss.
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“This course is designed to help people learn healthier ways to live with their chronic conditions, whether they suffer from arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, asthma, emphysema, chronic fatigue syndrome or any other ongoing conditions. The course is facilitated by co-leaders, most of whom have chronic conditions themselves and are successfully using the strategies they have learned through the course. The course offers practical suggestions to help people cope with both the physical as well as the emotional challenges caused by chronic illness. Participants will learn positive skills to build confidence in overcoming everyday obstacles, and will learn how to get the most pleasure out of life,” said librarian Desiree Baron. All participants in this course will receive a free, comprehensive textbook called “Living A Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions”. “Coping with the day-to-day challenges of having a chronic condition can be overwhelming, and if this course sheds even a little bit of light on how to make life more manageable and stay positive, then it’s worth it,” commented Baron.
Baron added that this partnership with the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a good fit, since the library has lots of books, videos and online resources for people taking this course, and in fact, for anyone interested in learning more about health issues. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is funded by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
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To register for this program visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call the library at 604-231-6405 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/. Or you can register by visiting or calling SUCCESS (Richmond office) at 604-279-7180. For more information call 604-231-6462.
"This program provides important information to post secondary graduates on how to apply for jobs in the federal public service. The speaker, who is a representative from the Public Service Commission of Canada, will talk about opportunities that exist for graduates in the federal public service, application procedures, and employment tests. There will also be a question period at the end," said head of multilingual services, Wendy Jang.
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