VIRL Creativity Commons

Just a reminder we are closed today (Sept.30) for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

👉Find VIRL's Indigenous Voices guide and more resources: https://ow.ly/bQuA50ZSUZP

🧡 A big thank you to the Sooke knitting community for creating the tiny orange sweaters in our library display—meant to draw attention to Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Explore the world of garden tools with certified Master Gardeners in this latest FREE Virtual Gardening Series course on Oct.5, from 6:30-8pm.

👉Register for the Zoom link here: https://ow.ly/RrhK50ZRexa

All VIRL branches will be closed on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. 🧡

This is a time to remember and honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as Survivors, their families and their communities.

Today and every day, we encourage you to explore resources that deepen understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories, residential schools and the ongoing impacts of colonialism.

👉Check out the 2026 Indigenous Voices guide and other resources in the library’s collection: https://ow.ly/Moe650ZRBJ4

Thank you to VI Regional Library Courtenay for sharing its book display with us

Congratulations to all the participants of this year's Teen Summer Challenge! 🏆

If you picked up our 🎨🖌️Tiny Watercolour DIY2Go kit and agreed to be part of a digital art gallery - ta-da! Here it is. 👇

🖼️We are impressed with the variety, imagination and skill. Great job teens! See you again next year.

📣 Calling all writers and artists living on Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, Bella Coola, or the Gulf Islands! Submissions are open for the 2027 issue of Vancouver Island Regional Library + Fans's own art and literary magazine, Sea & Cedar.

🎨📝 Send us your best short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and art. Deadline for the 2027 issue is September 30, 2026!

📖 Curious about our previous issues? You can read all of them online: https://virl.bc.ca/read-watch-listen/audience/adults/sea-cedar-magazine/issues/

👉 Questions about submitting or ready to submit? Visit the Sea & Cedar submissions page: https://virl.bc.ca/read-watch-listen/audience/adults/sea-cedar-magazine/submissions/

🍂Please note that all of our branches will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labour Day. 🍁

Our online branch is open 24/7...check out something new at http://virl.bc.ca.

📚 Stock up before the long weekend!

All VIRL branches will be closed on Monday, August 3 for BC Day.

Borrow your next great read, movie, audiobook, or eBook before the weekend, or explore our digital collection anytime at virl.bc.ca.

Have a safe, happy, and relaxing BC Day! ☀️

🎉 What a wonderful way to celebrate 90 years of library service!

We were thrilled to welcome Tamara Kronis, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, to our Nanaimo North branch for a special visit filled with smiles, stories, songs and celebration.

During her visit, MP Kronis toured the branch, joined families for one of our popular Baby Rhyme Time programs, and presented Vancouver Island Regional Library with a Certificate of Recognition in honour of our 90th anniversary. Executive Director Eileen Gillette and Board Chair Jonathan Lerner were honoured to accept the certificate on behalf of VIRL.

Receiving this recognition is a meaningful milestone as we celebrate nine decades of serving the people and communities of Vancouver Island. From introducing our youngest readers to the magic of books through Baby Rhyme Time to supporting lifelong learning across 39 branches, we're proud of the role libraries continue to play in bringing people together.

A heartfelt thank you to MP Kronis for helping us celebrate this special anniversary and for recognizing the impact libraries have in our communities. Here's to the next chapter!

💙 Happy 90th Anniversary, VIRL!

🎉 It's finally here... TODAY'S THE DAY! Your summer reading adventure starts now! 📚☀️

Whether you're raising a little bookworm, have a teen looking for a fun challenge, or you're ready to tackle your own summer reading goals, we've got something for everyone!

🐠 Kids can dive into an Under the Sea Summer Reading Club.
🐉 Teens can embark on the Sea of Monsters Teen Summer Challenge.
📖 And of course, adults can join the Adult Summer Reading Challenge and read for a chance to win great prizes!

Read. Explore. Complete challenges. Win prizes. It's free, fun, and happening all summer long at your local VIRL branch.

📚 Okay, we want to know... What's the first story you'll be reading this summer? 👇

Learn more and get started today:
https://virl.bc.ca/summer-reading-starts-here-registration-now-open-for-kids-and-teens/