PROGRAMS
Join us outdoors or online for programming that inspires and informs.
Children’s Programs
Crack the Case!
Wednesday, June 30, 10:30 am
Online
Help magician Leif David “Crack the Case!” during a virtual magic show. Participants will become a magical detective by decoding classified documents, matching fingerprints, and helping to solve the case!
Read and Write Reviews
July 5 – August 30
A book review contest for ages 10-18. Share your review with GVPL via an online form and you’ll be entered into a prize draw. They more you read and review, the more chances you have to win! View the prizes and a complete list of rules and regulations on the RAWR webpage.
Summer Writing Studio
July 5 – August 27
Online (space is limited)
For ages 12-18. Let your imagination run wild! Create the most fantastic story, novel, poem, or script you’ve ever dreamed of with Story Studio and GVPL! This 8-week summer program is designed to launch your writing into the stratosphere! Set your writing goal for the online “writer’s room”, and get weekly advice and support from Story Studio staff and visiting local authors and illustrators.
Registration deadline: July 5 (late registrations accepted until July 31, or until the program is full. Maximize help with your writing goal by registering early!)
For more information: [email protected]
Comic Camp with Cole Pauls
July 12 – 16 (Monday-Friday)
Online
Kids Camp (ages 8 – 11): 10:00 – 11:00 am
Tween and Teen Camp (ages 12 – 18): 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Join graphic novelist Cole Pauls for a week-long virtual workshop via Zoom. Participants will develop a mini-comic or collaborative comic. Registrants will be invited to collect a package of free Comic Camp supplies at any GVPL branch between July 5 and 10. A supply list will be provided for those who are unable to visit the library.
Cole Pauls is a Tahltan comic artist, illustrator, and printmaker hailing from Haines Junction (Yukon Territory) with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Illustration from Emily Carr University. In 2017, Pauls won Broken Pencil Magazine’s Best Comic and Best Zine of the Year Award for Dakwäkãda Warriors II. In 2020, Dakwäkãda Warriors won Best Work in an Indigenous Language from the Indigenous Voices Awards and was nominated for the Doug Wright Award categories, The Egghead & The Nipper.
Registration deadline: Registration closes on July 5.
To register: Email [email protected] with your first name and library card number. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Please use the subject line ‘Comic Camp with Cole Pauls.’
Note: Personal information will be shared with the presenter for registration purposes only.
This event is made possible in partnership with IslandLink Library Federation.
Our Gardens are in Bloom!
Thursday, July 22, 10:30 am
Online
Join the Compost Education Centre online to learn about different composting techniques, discover native plants, permaculture beds and food forest beds. Enjoy a special visit with our worm friends and be inspired to start composting and growing your own garden at home!
What’s that? Mystery Specimen
Wednesday, July 28, 11:00 – 11:30 am
Online
The Royal BC Museum is filled with weird and wild natural history specimens – things that swim, things that fly, and things that are mysterious. We’ll look at one mysterious specimen, search for clues to find out what it is and crack the case. We’ll also read a book about animals that might live in BC.
Draw Your Own Adventure with Zoe Si
Thursday, July 29, 10:30 am
Online
For children aged 6-12. Zoe will share her journey from art-loving kid to lawyer to professional illustrator, and the role that autobiographical cartooning can play in learning about yourself and creating your own adventures.
What’s that? Mystery Object
Wednesday, August 4, 11:00 – 11:30 am
Online
The Royal BC Museum is filled with fascinating and unusual human history objects- things we still use but look different and things that haven’t been used since your grandparents were little kids. We’ll look at one of these mysterious objects, search for clues to find out what it is and crack the case. We’ll also read a book about how fun history can be.
Caring for our Land
Thursday, August 12, 10:30 am
Online
Join the Compost Education Centre online to explore the stories of five Black and Indigenous Ecological Stewards from all over the world. Discover how they care for the land they live on and how we can follow in their footsteps.
Orca Storytime with Mark Leiren-Young
Author and filmmaker Mark Leiren-Young will read from his new books for younger readers – Orcas of the Salish Sea and Orcas Everywhere – sharing stories about the endangered southern residents and answering questions about orcas everywhere and anywhere. Presented by Royal BC Museum.
Adult Programs
Watercolours with Richard Wong: Cedar Waxwings
Saturday, July 10, 1:00-3:00 pm
Online
Celebrate summer with a watercolour painting class taught by Richard Wong, a local professional wildlife artist. You will learn how to paint the beautiful Cedar Waxwing bird that can be seen in Victoria. This class is suitable for all skill levels – beginners are welcome. Capacity is limited.
To register: email [email protected] to sign up. Participants will receive a Zoom link and the required login details along with a supply list, pre-class assignment, and instructions. This virtual event is free of charge. Space is limited and registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
From Ideas to Finished Book: A Writing Life
Online
Join local author Jen Sookfong Lee as she talks about her writing process – from the initial idea to a published book. Jen will also read some of her work.
Jen Sookfong Lee was born and raised in Vancouver and she now lives with her son in North Burnaby. Her books include ‘The Conjoined’, nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award and a finalist for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, ‘The Better Mother’, which was a finalist for the City of Vancouver Book Award, ‘The End of East’, ‘Gentlemen of the Shade’, and ‘Chinese New Year’. Jen teaches at The Writers’ Studio Online with Simon Fraser University, edits fiction for Wolsak & Wynn, and co-hosts the literary podcast, Can’t Lit.
Jen Sookfong Lee’s work available at GVPL.
This program has been funded by IslandLink Library Federation.
Kimono and Japanese Culture
Online
Join cross-cultural educator and Japanese culture expert Hitomi Harama for a video presentation that introduces the beauty of Japanese culture through the lens of kimono. Hitomi will discuss a variety of kimonos, including men’s, ladies, and children’s kimono.
Hitomi’s work includes curating kimono exhibitions, promoting traditional Japanese performing arts, and delivering Japanese cultural consultations for various projects, including film.
Deans’ Lecture Series, 2021
Research shapes that way that we live and think. The University of Victoria’s popular Deans’ Lecture Series has moved online. Hear distinguished members of the faculties of UVic through pre-recorded talks and learn about their research interests.
Poetry Readings by City of Victoria Poet Laureate John Barton
Listen to John Barton and local poets and writers read from their work.
Some programs may be offered by partner organizations who use Zoom or Eventbrite for registration and program delivery. Zoom and Eventbrite are applications hosted in the U.S.. Creation of a user account may store limited personal information on a server stored outside of Canada. Upon account creation, you are consenting and becoming subject to the privacy policy of the service provider. GVPL encourages patrons to review all third-party privacy policies and statements to protect their personal information. Where other (third-party) organizations require personal information in order to provide services on behalf of the Library, the Library makes reasonable efforts to obtain commitments from such organizations that they treat the personal information in compliance with FIPPA and this policy.