Sooke

To ensure the health and safety of all who study, work, and visit here, our Sooke branch is now a scent-free space. We thank you for your cooperation in maintaining this.


Following changes to Provincial Medical Health Officer orders, masks are no longer required when visiting the library, but you can wear one if you’d like. 

The NEW Sooke branch is officially open!

Find us at 6671 Wadams Way and enjoy your new, expanded library.

 

Book a Room

About the Branch

The land on which we gather is the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the T’sou-ke First Nation, whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

The Sooke branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library system was established in 1963.

 

Branch Features

  • 24/7 Book Return
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • 11 public access computers
  • On BC Transit route
  • Free public WiFi
  • Collection size of 23,000 items

Meeting Rooms

Meeting Room Information

The Sooke Branch has 3 bookable meeting rooms available. To request a booking, please use the webform at the bottom of this section. Or you can email sooke@virl.bc.ca, call 250-642-3022, or visit us in person.

Please note that our meetings rooms are extremely well used for library programs and by community groups. At this time, we are not booking rooms for strata meetings, except in the case of AGMs with no alternative space to meet. 


Booking requests should be submitted at least 48 hours in advance. 

You can still submit a request with less than 48 hours but it may not be approved before the day of the booking.

Rooms may be available on a drop-in basis if space is available.


Meeting Spaces

Room Max. Capacity Fee Resources
Small Meeting Room 6 Community and Non-Profit Groups: Free

For-profit Groups: $30/hour

Television with HDMI hookup
Multipurpose Meeting Room (Full) 50 Televisions (x2) with HDMI hookup, Projectors (x2) and projector screen (x2) with HDMI hookup,  Speakers, Kitchenette with sink

 

Booking a Meeting Space

Permission to use VIRL facilities does not imply any endorsement of the aims, policies, or activities of any group or individual.

Library use is always a priority for any of the rooms we book. VIRL reserves the right to cancel a room booking should the space be required for library purposes.

Rooms are available to be booked free of charge for community or not-for-profit groups. For-profit groups can book the rooms for $30/hour. Groups are not allowed to sell products or charge admission for events on library property.

We can book up to 3 months in advance and we limit groups to 2 uses per month. Bookings are limited to a maximum of 3 hours per booking. Meeting rooms are booked on a first-come first-served basis.

Room booking requests are subject to availability and are not secured until you receive confirmation from staff.

Unacceptable Uses of Meeting Rooms

  • Press conferences (without the express permission of the Executive Director)
  • Retail/sales transactions
  • Private social functions
  • Functions requiring an admission or registration fee
  • Political organizations
  • Soliciting of library customers
  • Banquet facilities

FAQ

Is the makerspace room available for booking?

The makerspace is only available to book if it is through a library partnership program. Please contact sooke@virl.bc.ca to inquire.

Can my group book the whole multipurpose room even if we are a small group?

You may book the entire multipurpose room provided the size of your group is 3 or more people. However, if there is another event happening at the same time that requires the space and your group is 25 people or less, we will contact you and let you know that we will be dividing the room. We will do our best not to book both multipurpose rooms East and West at the same time.

Can I reconfigure the furniture setup?

Yes, but please put the furniture into its previous configuration before you leave.

Are there extra tables and chairs available?

Yes, we have 90 chairs and 12 portable tables. If you require extra furniture, please talk to staff.

Can I access the kitchenette?

You may access the kitchenette but please let staff know that you intend to use it. We ask you to make sure all supplies are cleaned up at the end of your event.

What technology equipment does the multipurpose room have, and can I use it?

The multipurpose room has 2 tvs, 2 projectors and power outlets around the room. If you need access to the tv or projector please ask a staff member for assistance. The library does not provide a computer in the space to hook up to the projector/tv – you must provide your own.

Book a Room

 

Light Therapy Lamps (in-branch use)

Light Therapy Lamps are available on a first-come, first served basis. The lamps cannot be taken out of the library.

Find out more about the HappyLight Luxe LED Light Therapy Lamps.

How to use our light therapy lamps:

  • Turn on the lamp and sit in front of it for 20-60 minutes each day at a minimum distance of about 6 inches (10,000 lux) and a maximum of 24 inches. Generally speaking, the closer the lamp is to you and the higher the brightness, the less time you need to use the lamp to experience results. 
  • For sensitive users, gradually increasing exposure is recommended. 
  • Your eyes need to be open and you must face the lamp. Do not look directly at the lamp. Adjust the angle of the lamp to suit your position. 

FAQ

What lamp does the Sooke branch use? 

The Sooke branch has 3x 10 000 lux HappyLight Luxe LED light therapy lamps. This particular lamp has 4 brightness levels.  

Why is VIRL providing light therapy lamps? 

Research by the Canadian Mental Health Association suggests that 2-3% of Canadians will experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in their lifetime. Another 15% will experience a milder form of SAD. 

Light therapy lamps can be prohibitively expensive. This service provides access to light therapy for all Sooke residents that require it.   

What is the borrow period for light therapy lamps? 

Light therapy lamps can be borrowed for in-branch use for 90 minutes.   

Is this safe to use for all ages? 

Light therapy lamps can only be checked out by adults (aged 18+). If adults permit their child to use the light therapy lamp, they must be in close proximity to directly supervise. As a reminder, light therapy should not be done without first consulting with your doctor.  

Are there any health concerns with use? 

According to Verilux, these lamps “[s]afely bring daylight indoors with LED technology that offers full spectrum, 10,000 lux light without any harmful UV rays.”  

Light therapy should not be done without first consulting your doctor because there can be side-effects to this treatment for some people. Vancouver Island Regional Library is not liable for any health issues related to use of these lamps. See product information from HappyLight Luxe for more information.

3D Printing On Demand

WHAT IS 3D PRINTING?

3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. Our Lulzbot Workhorse and Lulzbot Mini 3D printers use additive manufacturing processes. In an additive process, an object is created by building the object layer by layer moving up the Z-axis until the entire object is created. 3D printing is often used to create prototypes, toys, hobby items and replacement parts.

3D Printing On Demand

Our 3D Printer is available for print-on-demand requests. This means that staff will print the file you provide and notify you once it is ready to be picked up. Email sooke@virl.bc.ca to inquire about this service.

Printing Costs

A printing fee of $.10 per gram of polylactic acid (PLA) filament will be charged for each print job. Some print jobs will require support to be printed and finished models will be weighed with support.

3D Printing Policies

  • Printing weapons and items prohibited by the Vancouver Island Regional Library’s code of conduct are not allowed.
  • Sooke staff reserve the right to refuse to print any items, including those that are considered obscene or inappropriate for a public library environment.

3D Printing Classes and Programs

Introduction to 3D printing
Learn how 3D printers work. This class includes hands on instruction with Cura and how to prepare your model for print.
LinkedIn Learning
Offers a variety of online classes on 3D printing and is available for free for all Vancouver Island Regional Library members.

3D Printing Resources

3D Printing Demonstrations
3D print time-lapse’s of library prints at the Creativity Commons.
Tinkercad
Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use browser app for 3D design.
Blender
Blender is an open source 3D creation suite. It supports 3D modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, motion
tracking, video editing and game creation.
Thingiverse
Thingiverse is a website dedicated to the sharing of user-created digital design files that can be downloaded and printed on a desktop 3D
printer.
Cura LulzBot Edition
Cura is a free software that prepares and converts your model into a GCODE which can then be read by our 3D printer generate your model.

3D Printing FAQs

I don’t live in Sooke, can I have something printed for me and sent to my branch?

No, we can only print items to be picked up at the Sooke branch. However, staff at the Creativity Commons in Nanaimo are also happy to assist with the printing of your 3D printed object and are able to send prints direct to a non-Sooke VIRL branch for pickup. Email the Creativity Commons at cc@virl.bc.ca for more information if you require this service.

I want to have something printed on the 3D printer but don’t know where to start. Any recommendations?

LinkedIn Learning is a good starting place, as it offers a variety of online classes on 3D printing which is available to all Vancouver Island Regional Library members.

How long will my job take to print using the print-on-demand service?

Printing may take 2-4 weeks to complete after we receive your file. We will connect with you once the print is completed.

Is there a fee to print?

Yes, there is a printing fee of $0.10 cents per gram printed including supports.

What colours can I print in?

Each print file requested will be done in one solid colour. You can choose from:

  • Black
  • White
  • Pink
  • Red
  • Orange
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Silver
  • Glow-in-the-dark

Why did my print arrive with supports still attached to my item?

When a 3D printed item is printed, it requires supports for any overhanging edges to properly print in place. These supports add structure and aids protecting the 3D print to reduce the likelihood of damage during shipment/storage.

Seed Library

How it works:

  • Seeds are free to take. Please limit to 3 packages per visit.
  • If you want to try seed saving, bring some back to us next year.
  • If you have leftovers from purchased seed packages, we welcome donations.

Donation requirements:

  • Seed comes from a parent plant that was:
    • Self-polinating
    • Open-pollinated (non-hybrid, non-GMO)
    • Grown organically
  • Seeds should be under 2 years of age and have been stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.
  • Seed has been dried by the seed saver.
  • The seed must be healthy.
  • The seed must be clean – separated from the rest of the plant, free from insects.
  • Seeds should be labelled (at minimum) with:
    • Name of species and variety (e.g. Cherry Tomato, “Red Delight”)
    • Year of harvest
  • If you are unable to save seeds, we also gratefully accept fresh, commercially grown, open-pollinated (non-hybrid, non-GMO) seed for donation.

Thank you to our partnered organizations who make this Seed Library possible, including Full Circle Seeds, the Sooke Garden Club, EMCS Society, West Coast Seeds, and our many customers who have made donations.

Proctoring/Exam Invigilation

Students can book exam invigilation for a cost of $30 per exam.  Please see our guidelines here.  If a computer is required for an exam, please note that our only computers are located in a shared, public space.

The best way to arrange your exam time is to email us at sooke@virl.bc.ca with your school and course, how long your exam will take, whether you are using your computer or writing a paper exam, and your preferred dates. If you have submitted a request for a FoodSafe exam, please also email us directly at the above email address to confirm the request.

Contact Information

  • Library Manager –
  • Children & Youth Services Librarian – Nathalie Jones
  • Adult Services Librarian – April Ripley