Richmond, BC – You are invited to join the conversation at Richmond Public Library’s inaugural Human Library®, which takes place on Sunday April 23 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Brighouse library.
The first Human Library® event was held in Denmark in 2000, and has expanded across the globe. It has established itself as a global learning platform with an initiative to create safe spaces for dialogue between human Books and their human readers. The natural conversations that take place between Books and readers can not only help challenge prejudices and stereotypes but also contribute more broadly to unjudge someone and create greater cohesion across social, ethnic, and religious divisions.
During a Human Library® event, readers will see a variety of available Book titles and will be able to select one to “borrow” for a 20-minute reading slot. Readers and Books will then have a one-on-one conversation where Books will introduce themselves and readers will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Each city’s event is different as the Books are all local volunteers, interested in connecting with their community and sharing their story with others. Following Human Library® protocol, our shelf of incredible human Books will only be revealed on the day of the event. Community members can look forward to meeting local Richmond residents who are committed to sharing their personal stories of overcoming hardship.
One of the anticipated Book titles, who previously participated in another organization’s Human Library®, shared his thoughts about being part of RPL’s event. “I am excited to be able to do this again. To be able to share my story with others, knowing that I am not alone and to encourage others who are experiencing similar situations or struggles, allowed me to feel empowered and that I am a part of something greater.”
This is a drop-in event, and participants will be invited to borrow Books on a first-come, first served basis throughout the event until “last call” at 3:30pm. This event is most appropriate for a teen, adult, or senior audience. Learn more at https://yourlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6410fbe981da764500c39b63.
Richmond, BC – Richmond Public Library, in partnership with Gary Lewis, author of The Complete Book of Ground Covers, is pleased to offer a three-part series to inspire you this gardening season. These free talks take place April 19, May 10 and June 14, and interested participants can register for one, two or all three sessions.
In the first session, curious gardeners will learn how to make their patio, balcony and garden look beautiful with pots filled with shrubs, perennials, ground covers, and bulbs. In the second session, you’ll discover the flavours and health benefits of growing your own food, as Gary demonstrates how to grow berry bushes, edible perennials and annual vegetables in containers. The final session will highlight the functional and aesthetic uses of ground covers in the garden inspired by photos taken from Gary’s travels to gardens around the world.
Gary Lewis has a lifelong passion for plants. He holds a Master of Science degree in Botany and is the owner of local Richmond business Phoenix Perennials, which he has grown into an award-winning nursery. He is a regular speaker at professional conferences, garden shows and garden club meetings and has appeared many times on radio and television. Gary was selected as Communicator of the Year by the BC Landscape and Nursery Association and as one of Canada’s Top 10 Horticultural Professionals Under 40 by Greenhouse Canada magazine.
These talks are suitable for beginner, aspiring and experienced gardeners. Don’t miss your chance to learn valuable tips and tricks to keep your garden looking and tasting great! Register now to reserve your spot.
Looking for even more gardening advice? Stay tuned for details about Gary’s return in October with advice on using bulbs to add beauty and colour to your spring garden or containers and how to grow them.
Richmond, BC – Richmond Public Library, in partnership with the Lord’s Harvest Fellowship, is once again offering free Income Tax Clinics at the Brighouse library. Trained volunteers will help community members with low income file their income tax returns. This year’s clinics will follow a drop-off and pick-up format.
“We are always blessed and excited every year for the past twelve years that the Income Tax Clinic has been extending helping hands in preparing and filing income taxes for students, seniors, new immigrants and people with modest income,” said Pastor Abe Lagayan, representative of The Lord’s Harvest Fellowship. “We are also grateful that we are able to continue our partnership with the library in providing this vital service to community!”
To qualify for this free service, single persons must have a maximum income of $35,000 and a couple must have a maximum income of $45,000 plus $2,500 per child. Couples will need to sign up for one appointment time for each person.
Interested participants can register now for a session by calling 604-231-6413 or visiting the Brighouse library 2nd floor Ask Me desk. A piece of government issued ID and all relevant tax slips such as T4, T5 and Canada Child Benefit slips must be brought to the appointment. All print documents will be returned to the participant at their pick-up time.
The clinics are offered in English and run on Saturdays from March 4 to April 29 (no sessions on April 8) with drop-off appointments offered between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Drop-off appointments on March 4 will be between 12:30pm and 3:30pm.
Richmond, BC – Libraries across Canada recognize Freedom to Read Week every February, but we strive year-round to protect your right to freely choose what you read. During Freedom to Read Week, libraries focus on raising awareness about the impacts of censorship and informing the community about how and why books are challenged.
Hundreds of mainstream and little-known books, movies, magazines and more have been challenged in Canada over the last 40 years. During that same time, Richmond Public Library has received, reviewed and resolved 117 customer challenges, including five last year.
“Intellectual freedom and the right to choose what you read, listen to and watch is fundamental to what Richmond Public Library stands for,” says Wendy Jang, Coordinator of Collections and Customer Service Delivery. “Our collection of over 420,000 digital and physical items covers a wide range of ideas and viewpoints that inspire curiosity, enhance creativity and help to build a more informed society.”
The City of Richmond stands with the library in support of intellectual freedom. The Mayor has signed a proclamation endorsing Freedom to Read Week, available on our website at https://www.yourlibrary.ca/proclamation and on display at all RPL branches.
There are many ways to celebrate your freedom to read at Richmond Public Library. Visit our online collection of some of the most popular challenged books at https://www.yourlibrary.ca/freedom. Or, visit one of our library locations in-person to browse our displays of banned and challenged books, or take part in a book club where you can share your ideas, broaden your horizons and gain different perspectives. Plus, be sure to try the library’s Your Next Great Read service, where a librarian will personally make book suggestions based on your reading interests.
To learn more about Freedom to Read Week, visit www.freedomtoread.ca.
Richmond, BC – Together with Mary Wilson, community advocate and winner of the 2022 Richmond Arts Award for Cultural Leadership, Richmond Public Library is offering a rich variety of Black History Month programs and activities for all ages, including:
“This year’s theme is Black Resistance and Resilience,” said Mary Wilson. “Join us to learn about Black heroes, past and present, and their contributions to Canada. I invite the community to come together, participate in thought and be curious to learn more.”
Visit the library’s events calendar to browse a list of all Black History Month programs.
If you are looking for more reading options this month, be sure to explore these Black History Month book lists, thoughtfully selected by library staff:
Richmond, BC – At their most recent meeting, the Richmond Public Library Board elected Caty Liu as Board Chair and Sherine Merhi as Vice-Chair. Returning Board members also include: Jordan Oye, Chaslynn Gillanders, Denise Hui, Nabeel Abrahani and Rachel Ling.
The Library Board also welcomes Councillor Chak Au as the new City Council representative to the Richmond Public Library Board. The Board thanks former Councillor Linda McPhail for her five years as an engaged and supportive Council Representative.
New to the Board for 2023 is Yvonne Yong, recently appointed by Richmond City Council for a two-year term. Yong is an experienced HR professional, parent and library supporter who believes strongly in the value of public library services.
The Richmond Public Library Board would like to thank outgoing Board Trustee Diane Cousar for her years of dedication and service to the public library and community.
Newly elected Board Chair Caty Liu says “With this being a Strategic Planning year, the Board is looking forward to engaging with the community throughout the year to hear their thoughts and create a vision and plan that prioritizes literacy and serves our community as it continues to grow and rebuild. At this time, I would also like to thank City Council and of course the Friends of the Richmond Library for continuing to support library programs, services and collections.”
Richmond, BC – RPL welcomes the Year of the Rabbit! This year’s event at the Brighouse library will be a cross-cultural community celebration that honours traditions, highlights cultural experiences and welcomes people of all ages.
On Friday, February 3 from 3:30pm to 6:30pm, stop by the Brighouse library for an afternoon of Chinese song, dance, art, crafts and traditional experiences.
Youth and the young at heart will delight in the dance exhibitions that include a K-Pop demonstration, a Lion Dance and Chinese folk dances. Children will be captivated by the Monkey King puppet show and the Han-style costumes showcased in the costume show. There will also be a choir performance of traditional Chinese New Year folk songs by a local seniors’ choir. For those looking to try their hand at some traditional Chinese activities, there will be Chinese calligraphy stations, ink painting, and a compass fortune-telling workshop.
RPL would like to thank the event partners and sponsors whose contributions have helped to make this celebration possible. Thank you to Big Bear Education, CLF Kong Fu Club, Chinese Couplets Study Club, E Show Dance, Richmond Chinese Senior Group, Richmond Family Place Society, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Richmond Chinese Women’s Club, Touchstone Family Association, and VISM Education Group.
This event is free to attend and no registration is required. To learn more, visit https://yourlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/63a532b8f3b0cf2e06ebff8c. See you there and 恭喜發財!
Richmond, BC – Richmond Public Library, together BCNET and CANARIE, has launched eduroam, the secure, global Wi-Fi service for the higher education and research community, at all RPL locations. With this new service, staff, students, faculty and researchers from any participating Canadian or international post-secondary institution can now automatically connect to the internet at the library. The eduroam service securely connects participating customers to the library’s internet connection, that is powered by City of Richmond’s network infrastructure, using the username and password from their home institutions.
RPL locations are extremely well utilized by students of all ages to study, do research, and work on group or individual projects. In addition, Richmond is a travel destination and a connecting hub, welcoming newcomers and students from around the world. The ability for Canadian and international post-secondary students to use eduroam to stay connected to their institution’s online resources while on the go provides vital access to the internet and improved access to online learning.
Students and faculty at eduroam-equipped institutions can quickly and easily access the service at the library. It should seamlessly connect without any action required. RPL joins over 194 locations in BC and 626 sites across Canada that offer eduroam.
“Our libraries are popular go-to destinations for local students,” said Charles Leung, Manager of Information Technology at Richmond Public Library. “Enabling eduroam at RPL will enhance our in-library experience. We are always seeking out meaningful initiatives and partnerships such as this one, where we can inspire learning.”
“The library offers seamless connectivity to this world-wide roaming service, supporting Wi-Fi access for education and research, anytime and anywhere,” said Clarence Lee, Director of Client Services and Communications at BCNET. “As more libraries join eduroam, we are enabling broader internet access and bridging the digital divide.”
“Students, staff, and faculty with eduroam access can securely learn and work from wherever, whenever – including now at RPL,” said Christina Colangelo, Program Manager, Identity and Access Management at CANARIE. “We’re pleased to work with BCNET and the library to expand eduroam access at more public places – supporting smart cities initiatives across Canada.”