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All News
What's Happening e-Newsletter
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Media Inquiries
For all media inquiries, please contact
communications@virl.bc.ca
.
2025 Media Releases
Thursday, April 10, 2025
– Harbourfront Welcomes CBC’s Nahlay Ayed
Thursday, March 7, 2025
– VIRL Hosts Love in a Dangerous Time
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
– Learning with Syeyutsus kicks off January 23, 2025
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, 202
1 – 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