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By Duane Grandbois

October is Library Month

Oct 1, 2017 | 9:36 AM

The Province has declared October as Library Month – a chance to recognize and celebrate the value libraries deliver to communities throughout B.C.

Learn a language, attend a speaker series, test out new technology, access free internet, borrow early literacy kits or family recreation, museum or art gallery passes; these are just a few of the varied programs and services that public libraries can offer.

During this month, libraries and library partners raise awareness of the valuable role libraries play in our lives.

Libraries ensure that all British Columbians have free access to trusted sources of information, workspace, interactive experiences, expertise and learning opportunities. Beyond borrowing books, libraries are where people go to explore an idea, test a theory, make community connections, find information and share knowledge. Libraries are increasingly offering a wider range of digital services such as coding workshops, 3-D printers, technology labs and robotics kits.

Libraries help people discover the joy of reading, develop new skills, form deep community ties, find a job, become entrepreneurs and participate in recreation and cultural experiences. Last year in B.C., libraries hosted over 73,000 programs, provided 3,500 computers for public use and circulated over 59 million items.

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School Library Day, also known as Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), will be Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. On that day, British Columbians are invited to put down their work and turn off computer screens so they can read a book, magazine or newspaper for 20 minutes.

Libraries: go check one out. A visit will get you thinking!

Quick Facts:

* Library access is free to British Columbians.

* Everyone has a chance to learn new skills.

* 99% of B.C.’s population has access to a public library.

* Since 1999, B.C. has joined other provinces in celebrating Library Month to promote the many services provided by public, school, post-secondary and special libraries.

* Government provides annual funding of $14 million to B.C. libraries.

* Each year, the Ministry of Education provides $500,000 to Postmedia’s Raise-A-Reader campaign. Working with Decoda Literacy Solutions – the only provincewide literacy organization in British Columbia – the campaign supports community-based literacy organizations throughout B.C.

Learn More:

B.C. public libraries: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/arts-culture/public-libraries

British Columbia Library Association: https://bclaconnect.ca/

by Duane Grandbois

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