Vancouver Island Regional Library is taking steps to ensure we are a valuable resource both for teachers and for families more comfortable with remote learning. We are currently looking at how best to expand the resources available in our eLibrary to ensure we are helping set Vancouver Island students up for success.
For more information about VIRL’s educational resources, please contact 1.877.415.8475 or send an email to info@virl.bc.ca.
We do already offer a wide selection of digital learning tools to anyone with a library card:
For Kids
Creativebug
Creativebug is an art and craft education resource. There are thousands of online video classes taught by leading instructors.
National Geographic Kids
Reputable, authoritative, and appropriate content for children aged 6-14.
PebbleGo
PebbleGo is a digital information and research tool for K-3 students. Two modules are available: Animals (includes Dinosaurs) and Science. Each module features articles, activities, games, maps, videos and engaging read-aloud audio.
Find trustworthy, factual information and foster independent learning with PebbleGo. Explore resources for families here: https://pebblego.com/parent-resources
TumbleBookLibrary
An online collection of animated picture books, audiobooks, graphic novels, children’s classics, early reader chapter books, and National Geographic videos.
For Teens
Creativebug
Creativebug is an art and craft education resource. There are thousands of online video classes taught by leading instructors.
Indigenous People of North America
Indigenous Peoples: North America sources collections from across Canadian and American institutions, providing insight into the cultural, political and social history of Native Peoples from the seventeenth into the twentieth century.
Kanopy
Kanopy is a video streaming platform for libraries with one of the largest and most unique collections in the world. It features more than 26,000 movies, documentaries, and indie and foreign films from hundreds of producers, including The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, Kino Lorber, PBS and thousands of independent filmmakers. Browse by subjects to explore and expand your interests.
KnowBC
KnowBC is the online portal for Harbour Publishing, an independent publisher based on the Sunshine Coast that focuses on British Columbian coastal history and culture. KnowBC features the Encyclopedia of British Columbia.
Mango Languages
Language learning database designed to equip you with conversational abilities. Mango immerses you in real, everyday conversations in 45 different language courses.
National Geographic Virtual Library
National Geographic Virtual Library gives access to the complete archive of National Geographic magazine — every page of every issue — along with a cross-searchable collection of National Geographic books, maps, images and videos.
Points to the Past
Points to the Past is your gateway to a world-class collection of primary sources, made up of nearly 200 million pages of digitized historical content – maps, photos, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, portraits, and much more.
Solaro
SOLARO is a test prep and study App based on the BC curriculum. It covers Mathematics, Science, and English/Language Arts for grades 3-12. Students can review lessons, create customized flashcards and notes, and more!
To access SOLARO for the first time:
- Launch SOLARO
- Enter your library card number
- You will be given a randomized username and password
- Download the SOLARO app for iOS or Android
- Login with your username and password
TeenBookCloud
TeenBookCloud (aka TumbleBookCloud) has 600 titles for middle and high school readers! This collection contains a wide range of audiobooks, classics, graphic novels, novels, poetry, and short stories!
Homeschooling vs Distance/Distributed Learning
With an increase of families new to homelearning we have put together a resource list of various homelearning groups that exist across Vancouver Island. Students can learn from home while also being enrolled in an educational program. They can also register for homeschooling without enrolling in a local educational program.
Ministry of Education
Here are three Ministry of Education web sites that may help you understand the difference
BC Wide Resources for Homelearners
- Home School Canada
- Homeschooling with Joy workshop (video)
- Home Based Learning
- Learn Now BC a searchable database of all the public online courses available for free
- British Columbia Home Educators’ Association(BCHEA)
- Province of British Columbia Independent School List
- Province of British Columbia School Contacts Map
- Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands Community Home Learning Facebook Group
- Vancouver Island Homelearners of Special Needs Kids Facebook Group
- Vancouver Island Service Providers for SN Home Learners Facebook Group
- Province of British Columbia Homeschooling Policy
North Island Resources
- NIDES: North Island Distance Education School
- North Island Home Learners Facbook Group Areas served: Port McNeill, North Island
South Island Resources
- SIDES: South Island Distance Education School (Victoria, BC)
- Victoria Home Learners’ Network AssociationFacebook Page
- At Home Survival Guide for Staying at homeby the Victoria Home Learners’ Network Association
Community Specific Resources
Bella Coola
- Bella Coola Homeschoolers Facebook Group Areas served: Bella Coola
Bowser
- Oceanside Christian Home Learners Facebook Group Areas served: Oceanside, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose Bay, Bowser, Errington and Coombs
Campbell River
- Campbell River Homeschoolers Facebook Group Areas served: Campbell River, Comox Valley
Chemainus
- Ladysmith and Chemainus Homeschoolers Facebook Group Areas served: Ladysmith, Chemainus
Comox Valley
- Comox Valley Homeschoolers Facebook Group Areas Served Courtney and Comox Valley
Cowichan Valley (Cowichan/South Cowichan)
- Cowichan Valley Home Learning Community Facebook Group Areas served: Ladysmith, Chemainus, Crofton, Duncan, Cobble Hill, Shawnigan Lake, Cowichan Bay, Mill Bay
- The Grove: Cowichan Valley Distributed Learning
- Cowichan Valley Open Learning
- Cowichan Valley Unschooling Facebook Group Areas served: Cowichan Valley
Gabriola Island
- Gabriola Homeschoolers and Unschoolers Facebook Group Areas served: Gabriola Island
Ladysmith
- Ladysmith and Chemainus Homeschoolers Facebook Group Areas served: Ladysmith, Chemainus
- Island ConnectED, SD68’s K-12 distributed learning program
Nanaimo
- Nanaimo Community Home Learners parents can email or phone for support
- Nanaimo Homeschool Preschool Community Facebook Group
- Nanaimo Homeschool Swap ‘n Shop Facebook Group
- Island ConnectED, SD68’s K-12 distributed learning program
Parksville / Qualicum Beach
- Collaborative Education Alternative Program (ceap) Area Served: Qualicum
- Heartwood Home Learners Cooperative Facebook Group Areas served: Errington
- Oceanside Christian Home Learners Facebook Group Areas served: Oceanside, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose Bay, Bowser, Errington and Coombs
- Oceanside Homeschoolers Vancouver Island Facebook Group Areas served: Parksville, Qualicum Beach
Port Alberni
- Port Alberni Homeschoolers Facebook Group Areas served: Port Alberni, Bamfield, Ucluelet, Tofino,
Quadra Island
- Quadra Home Learners Facebook Group Areas served: Quadra Island
Sooke
- Sooke Home Learners Facebook Group Areas served: Sooke and surrounding area
- Register for distance/distributed learning for kids in grades 8-12 from school district 62 at Westshore Centre for Learning and Training.
Tofino
- Port Alberni Homeschoolers Facebook Group Areas served: Port Alberni, Bamfield, Ucluelet, Tofino,
Ucluelet
- Port Alberni Homeschoolers Facebook Group Areas served: Port Alberni, Bamfield, Ucluelet, Tofino,