Media Inquiries
For all media inquiries, please contact communications@virl.bc.ca.
Past Media Releases
2024
- Tuesday, December 24, 2024 – Top 10 Titles of 2024 Released!
- Monday, June 17, 2024 – Island Health Supports Washroom Sensors For Library
- Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Indigenous Youth PhotoVoice Exhibit
- Tuesday, April 30, 2024 – New Masset Library Breaks Ground
- Wednesday, April 17, 2024 – Investigative Journalist Free Event
- Monday, January 8, 2024 – Library Collaborates with NLPS and UBC Press – Learning with Syeyutsus
- Thursday, January 4, 2024 – Top 10 Titles of 2023 Released by VIRL
2023
- Monday, October 30, 2023 – Input from Communities and Partners Informs New VIRL Strategic Plan
- Tuesday, October 3, 2023 – Construction set to begin on new Masset Library and Haida Language Immersion Lab
- Monday, September 18, 2023 – VIRL approved 2024 budget commits to operating continuity and continues major capital project
- Tuesday, August 22, 2023 – SRC Wraps Ups with Drag Extravaganza
- Wednesday, August 16, 2023 -New Mural at Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch
- Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – Summer Reading Club Celebration with Peter Puffin
- Wednesday, June 14, 2023 – Journey through time with this year’s Summer Reading Clubs and Challenges for kids, teens, and adults!
- Monday, June 12, 2023 – Best-selling author, Ruby Barrett joins us for a Pride Month Virtual Author Event
- Wednesday, April 5, 2023 – Brandi Morin: Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Virtual Talk
- Monday, January 30, 2023 – VIRL Board elects Chair, Vice Chair, and Executive Committee
- Thursday, January 5, 2023 – Vancouver Island Regional Library now fine free on all physical items
- Thursday, January 5, 2023 – Most popular library books of 2022
2022
- Monday, December 12, 2022 – Sooke library wins Award of Merit
- Tuesday, December 6, 2022 – Learning with Syeyutsus
- Monday, October 31, 2022 – Snotty Nose Rez Kids Youth Workshop
- Monday, September 26, 2022 – VIRL approved 2023 budget reflects economy and demand for services
- Friday, September 9, 2022 – Woss Customer Appreciation Day and Official Opening Celebration
- Thursday, July 21, 2022 – Exhibit Commemorating lives impacted by COVID in long term care coming to Nanaimo Harbourfront library
- Friday June 17, 2022 – It’s Summer Reading Club season at Vancouver Island Regional Library
- Wednesday June 15, 2022 – Haida author and storyteller, Kung Jaadee storytelling event
- Friday, June 3, 2022 – Sooke library grand opening celebration right around the corner
- Monday, May 9, 2022 –New date for the Sooke library grand opening celebrations
- Friday, April 22, 2022 – Ratified contract for BCGEU librarians approved by VIRL’s Board of Trustees
- Saturday, April 9, 2022 – VIRL re-engaging mediator in hopes of ending impasse
- Saturday, March 26, 2022 – VIRL/BCGEU bargaining update
- Thursday, March 24, 2022 – Union rejects VIRL’s latest offer, strike escalating
- Tuesday, March 22, 2022 – Sooke library grand opening postponed due to labour action
- Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – Vancouver Island Regional Library standing by for a revised BCGEU counter-proposal
- Monday, March 7, 2-222 – With strike on the horizon, BCGEU wage counterproposal signals movement away from an agreement
- Friday, March 4, 2022 – BCGEU Members Reject Latest VIRL Proposal
- Thursday, March 3, 2022 – Offer extended to BCGEU, awaiting mediator response
- Monday, February 28, 2022 – Correction to BCGEU Local 702 strike notice against Vancouver Island Regional Library
- Monday, February 28, 2022 – BCGEU Local 702 strike notice against Vancouver Island Regional Library
- Tuesday, February 15, 2022 – Winter Issue of Sea and Cedar
- Thursday, February 10, 2022 – New Sooke library set to open before month’s end
- Friday, Febrary 4, 2022 – VIRL Board of Trustees welcomes four new Trustees and elects Executive Committee
- Wednesday, January 5, 2022 – New Sooke library nears completion
2021
- Friday, December 31, 2021 – The most checked-out titles of 2021 at VIRL
- Tuesday, December 13, 2021 – Board Permanently Removes Fines on all Young Adult materials
- Monday, December 13, 2021 – VIRL Adopts Vaccination Operational Policy
- Friday, December 10, 2021 – VIRL and CUPE 401 Achieve Two-Year Contract
- Tuesday, October 19, 2021 – An evening of ghostly delights for kids 9 and up, hosted by bestselling author, Shanon Sinn
- Tuesday, September 28, 2021 – Skyrocketing pandemic construction costs put new Campbell River Library on pause
- Saturday, September 25, 2021 – Vancouver Island Regional Library is Retooled, Revived and Ready with 2022 Budget
- Thursday September 2, 2021 – VIRL Partners with VIU To Promote Early Childhood Literacy Through New Family Space Collection
- Monday August 16, 2021 – Inaugural Issue of Sea & Cedar Magazine Launches
- Monday August 9, 2021 – Port Hardy Branch Expanded Hours
- Thursday July 8, 2021 – Vancouver Island Regional Library announces new Executive Director
- Friday July 2, 2021 – Reproduction of the Witness Blanket on display at Harbourfront branch in downtown Nanaimo
- Thursday June 17, 2021 – A new podcast for bookish people launches at VIRL
- Wednesday June 16, 2021 – A summer of reading and adventure for kids and teens at VIRL
- Monday June 14, 2021 – VIRL Connects Initiative Wins American Library Association Award
- Friday June 4, 2021 – National Indigenous History Month at VIRL
- Thursday April 29, 2021 – #VIRLSHOWDOWN esports golf tournament finals livestreamed on May 2!
- Wednesday April 28, 2021 – Seed Library at Nanaimo library expands access to local agriculture
- Wednesday April 14, 2021 – Campbell River Council affirms support of new downtown library
- Wednesday, April 7, 2021 – Renowned author Eden Robinson online conversation and reading
- Friday March 17, 2021 – VIRL and Lazarus Esports tee-off on first-off-its-kind North American competitive esports golf showdown!
- Wednesday March 10, 2021 – Scratch Coding Contest for Young Women
- Thursday February 23, 2021 – Seeking submissions for Sea and Cedar magazine
- Monday February 1, 2021 – Board of Trustees welcomes nine new Trustees, elects Executive Committee, and Officers of the Library Board
- Wednesday January 20, 2021 – Exciting new learning resource at VIRL for students from grades 3 – 12
- Wednesday January 13, 2021 – VIRL Set to Host a Q and A on the Indian Act with Bob Joseph
2020
- Thursday, December 10, 2020 – Give Library and Get Local This Holiday Sehttps://virl.bc.ca/virl-connects/ason
- Tuesday, December 1, 2020 – Grants allow VIRL to provide Digital Care Packages to combat isolation
- Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – Almost all VIRL branches set to offer expanded services this week
- Wednesday, October 14, 2020 – Construction begins on new Sooke Library
- Friday, October 2, 2020 – VIRL’s Port Clements branch opens for Sit Down Service
- Tuesday, September 29, 2020 – Cowichan library opens for Walkthrough service
- Tuesday, September 22, 2020 -Work to begin shortly on new Sooke library
- Saturday, September 19, 2020 – Vancouver Island Regional Library is Stronger Than Ever with 2021 Budget
- Wednesday, September 16, 2020 – New Library Coming to Campbell River
- Tuesday, September 9, 2020 – Nanaimo North and South Cowichan libraries open for Walkthrough service
- Wednesday, August 19, 2020 – VIRL’s Bella Coola branch first to pilot Sit Down Service
- Tuesday, August 18, 2020 – Library serves 3,171 customers safely for Walkthrough Service pilot in Nanaimo
- Tuesday, July 28, 2020 – Contract Awarded for New Woss Library
- Thursday, July 23 – First Steps to a New Normal
- Wednesday, July 15, 2020 – Harbourfront Branch Offers Walkthrough Service
- Thursday, July 2, 2020 – Vancouver Island Regional Library: Stronger Than Ever
- Tuesday, June 30, 2020 – VIRL launches online Summer Reading Clubs for every age
- Thursday, June 18, 2020 – VIRL partners with BCSC to offer free online investment fraud awareness seminar
- Monday, June 1, 2020 – VIRL to offer “takeout” service for customers
- Tuesday, May 12, 2020 – New crafting platform offers countless opportunities for crafters and makers on Vancouver Island
- Wednesday, May 6, 2020 – VIRL’s Indigenous Voices award wins international ALA award
- Monday, May 4, 2020 – VIRL announces new virtual services for customers and a road map to in-branch services
- Thursday, April 9, 2020 – Vancouver Island Regional Library offers fun and safe ideas for long weekend
- Friday, March 27, 2020 – VIRL offering online card registration, 24/7 WiFi and more while branches closed
- Monday, March 16, 2020 – VIRL closing all branches end of day March 16 in response to COVID-19
- Monday, March 9, 2020 – New art displays at Nanaimo’s Creativity Commons
- Monday, March 9, 2020 – A new library for Woss
- Tuesday, February 25, 2020 – Chemainus library Grand Opening celebrations!
- Friday, February 21, 2020 – Meeting space addition to library on Gabriola Island
- Wednesday, January 8, 2020 – Read winter away and win prizes!
- Monday, January 6, 2020 – New Chemainus library opens next week!
2019
- Monday, December 16, 2019 – New Chemainus branch opening soon
- Thursday, December 5, 2019 – New Sayward library opens this month
- Thursday, November 28, 2019 – Give Library this holiday season to the people who want it all
- Friday, November 1, 2019 – Video games have landed at VIRL
- Monday, September 30, 2019 – VIRL shines light on Indigenous cultures and experiences this Library Month
- Saturday, September 21, 2019 – VIRL Library Board tells our story with 2020 Budget
- Wednesday, August 28, 2019 – VIRL’s new eXpress Reads: no holds, no waits on ebooks and audiobooks
- Friday, July 12, 2019 – Port Hardy library to host Storytime Drag, in partnership with Port Hardy Pride
- Thursday, June 27, 2019 – Construction begins July 2 for new Sayward library
- Wednesday, June 19, 2019 – A summer of reading adventures for everyone at VIRL
- Wednesday, June 12, 2019 – VIRL’s Indigenous Voices Wins BCLA Award
- Tuesday, June 11, 2019 – Sooke Library Update
- Wednesday, June 5, 2019 – VIRL’s 2018 Annual Report Bridges Divides and Tells Our Story
- Wednesday, June 5, 2019 – Sidney/North Saanich Library Grand Opening Celebrations
- Tuesday, June 4, 2019 – The Art of Code-istry at Your Library
- Monday, May 13, 2019 – Reimagined Sidney/North Saanich Library Set to Reopen
- Monday, April 8, 2019 – Contract Awarded for New Sayward Library
- Thursday, March 14, 2019 – Shovels in the Ground in Chemainus
- Tuesday, February 12, 2019 – Take Home a Tinker Tote Today from Your Library
- Wednesday, February 6, 2019 – Contract Awarded for New Chemainus Library
- Monday, February 4, 2019 – Updated Parksville Library Set to Reopen!
- Friday, January 28, 2019 – VIRL Board of Trustees Welcomes 28 New Trustees, elects Executive Committee, and Officers of the Library Board at 2019 AGM
- Thursday, January 17, 2019 – VIRL Eliminates Fines on all Children’s Library Materials
2018
- December 6, 2018 – Parksville Library Receiving New Year Makeover
- December 5, 2018 – Reconciliation Canada speaker series coming to Courtenay Library
- December 5, 2018 – Give Library again this holiday season
- November 23, 2018 – New Website for Vancouver Island Regional Library Customers
- November 19, 2018 – Reconciliation Canada Speaker Series coming to Nanaimo Libraries
- October 24, 2018 – Reconciliation Canada speaker series coming to VIRL
- October 9, 2018 – Renovated library for Sidney/North Saanich
- October 1, 2018 – VIRL shows our love for LGBTQ2+ during Library Month
- September 28, 2018 – New Chemainus library update
- September 22, 2018 – VIRL Library Board innovates and inspires with 2019 budget
- September 17, 2018 – Sooke library update
- Sept 13, 2018 – Renovations set to begin on Sidney/North Saanich library
- Sept 10, 2018 – Experience Thailand at the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library
- Aug 20, 2018 – Renovated Library for Sidney/North Saanich
- Aug 13, 2018 – Stream Blues to Bhangra with your library card
- Aug 10, 2018 – Score with Reading and the Campbell River Storm
- July 12, 2018 – Cowichan Elder Della Rice Sylvester to lead a medicine walk
- July 5, 2018 – A New Woss Library: Open House
- June 21, 2018 – VIRL leverages digital storytelling with 2017 Annual Report
- June 14, 2018 – A summer of reading adventures for everyone at VIRL
- April 26, 2018 – You’re invited to the Sayward library open house!
- April 26, 2018 – You’re invited to the Sooke library open house!
- April 26, 2018 – Dance recital the culmination of months of work for 6 Nanaimo teens
- April 25, 2018 – VIRL Board Chair wins prestigious advocacy award
- March 29, 2018 – Indigenous Elder Susan Landell returns to Campbell River library
- March 27, 2018 – Stream world-class TV from Britain and beyond free with your library card
- March 21, 2018 – Indigenous Elder Sally Williams to visit Nanaimo Wellington library
- March 20, 2018 – Third-annual GeekCon Nanaimo celebrates all things geek culture
- March 14, 2018 – Indigenous Elder Lorena Dulay returns to Sidney/North Saanich Library
- March 14, 2018 – Indigenous Elder August Johnson to visit the Gold River Library
- March 12, 2018 – Indigenous Elder Wally Samuel to visit Port Alberni Library
- March 7, 2018 – Indigenous Elder Bill Recalma to visit Parksville Library
- February 19, 2018 – New Sooke Library Update
- February 13, 2018 – Indigenous Elder Carol Bear to visit Campbell River Library
- January 31, 2018 – VIRL Board of Trustees elects Executive Committee and Officers of the Library Board at 2018 AGM
- January 23, 2018 – Two Indigenous Elders speaking at VIRL’s Courtenay Branch
- January 23, 2018 – Indigenous Voices in Campbell River
- January 15, 2018 – A New Chemainus Library: Open House
- January 8, 2018 – Indigenous Voices initiative launches at Vancouver Island Regional Library
2017
- December 4 – Give Library this Holiday Season
- November 20 – A New Sayward Library: Public Consultation
- October 10 – VIRL shows our love for seniors during Library Month
- September 21 – Sooke Library Update
- September 16 – Library Board Adopts Balanced 2018 Budget
- September 6 – Hip Hop workshop coming to Nanaimo Harbourfront Library
- September 5 – Library Services to be Restored in Sayward
- August 18 – Library services in Sayward
- June 29 – Summer Reading Club
- June 27 – Read Down Your Fines
- June 22 – 2016 Annual Report: Inspiring Communities
- June 20 – Library is seeking an Elder in Residence
- June 19 – Nanaimo Wellington Library Grand Opening
- June 2 – VIRL kicks off Read for Reconciliation and Canada 150
- May 16 – New Nanaimo Wellington Library branch opening May 23
- April 24 – VIHA grant will help at-risk teen girls through power of dance
- April 10 – Planning for new Sooke library is underway
- March 27 – Vancouver Island Regional Library Board approves downtown Sooke branch
- March 21 – Nanaimo Harbourfront invites you to get your geek on at GeekCon
- March 10 – Renovated library for the community of Sidney is underway
- February 23 – Buds to Blossoms cultivates new connections on Gabriola Island
- February 20 – New Nanaimo Wellington branch coming to Central Nanaimo this Spring
- January 31 – Executive Committee and Officers of the Library Board Elected
- January 3 – Score with Reading at Nanaimo Harbourfront Library
2016
- September 30 – Let’s Forget the Late Fees..Welcome Back to Your Library!
- September 17 – Library Board Adopts Balanced 2017 Budget
- September 17 – VIRL Launches Lynda.com!
- August 30 – First Annual GeekCON Draws Crowds
- August 15 – Nanaimo Correctional Centre Book Club Wins International Award
- June 16 – Library Dares Teens to Take On Summer Challenge
- June 8 – A New Library for the Village of Tahsis
- May 30 – A New Library for the District of Sooke is Underway
- May 13 – Island Librarians Take Home Big Awards
- March 11- New Library for Nanaimo Wellington is Underway
- February 10 – Five-Year Contract Achieved by VIRL and CUPE 401
- January 21 – Tentative Five-Year Collective Agreement Ratified by VIRL Board at 2016 AGM
- January 20 – Executive Committee and Officers of Library Board Elected at 2016 Annual General Meeting