GVPL January-February 2018 Program Guide

January through February 2018

Library programs & events

for kids, teens and adults

Family Literacy Week: January 21-27

Kids Baby Time For babies 0-15 months and parent or caregiver. Learn songs, rhymes and fingerplays to use with your baby every day. Drop-in.

January 15-February 28 Mondays, 10:30-11:00 am (no program February 12) Central Branch Oak Bay Branch Tuesdays, 10:30-11:00 am Juan de Fuca Branch Wednesdays, 11:30 am-12:00 pm Nellie McClung Branch Thursdays, 11:30-12:00 pm Saanich Centennial Branch Fridays, 11:30 am-12:00 pm Bruce Hutchinson Branch Esquimalt Branch

Family Storytime For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Fun-filled stories, songs, rhymes and puppets. Drop-in.

January 15-February 28 Mondays, 10:30-11:00 am (no program February 12) Langford Heritage Branch Nellie McClung Branch Tuesdays, 10:30-11:00 am Oak Bay Branch Saanich Centennial Branch Wednesdays, 10:30-11:00 am Central Saanich Branch Esquimalt Branch Thursdays, 10:30-11:00 am Bruce Hutchison Branch

Community Connections Join us after select Baby Times to learn about child development, nutrition, child care options and other parenting topics. Regular guest speakers include dietitians and nurses from Island Health and referral counsellors from Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR). Check gvpl.ca for topics and locations. Drop-in.

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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Central Branch Juan de Fuca Branch Fridays, 10:30-11:00 am Central Branch Juan de Fuca Branch Oak Bay Branch Saturdays, 11:00-11:30 am Saanich Centennial Branch February 3-24 Saturdays, 10:30-11:00 am Nellie McClung Branch February 7-28 Wednesdays, 9:30-10:00 am Emily Carr Branch Wednesdays, 10:30-11:00 am Goudy Branch

Story Club For ages 6-9. Join Story Club and engage with other kids over books, games and crafts. Listen to stories, share thoughts and experiences, and enjoy group activities and snacks. Registered.

January 17, February 21, 3:30-4:30 pm Bruce Hutchison Branch January 18, February 15, 3:30-4:30 pm Central Branch

Little Lego at the Library For ages 4-6; parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend.

Listen to stories and have fun with the library’s Lego. Registered.

January 19, February 16, 3:30-4:30 pm Bruce Hutchison Branch February 2, 10:30-11:30 am Saanich Centennial Branch

FAMILY LITERACY WEEK GVPL celebrates Family Literacy Week between January 21-27.

Join us for a variety of programs for families and young children.

Make Your Own Storyglove For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Would you like to make your very own storyglove? Join us for a storytime and make a simple storyglove to take home. Registered.

January 24, 10:30 am-11:30 am Saanich Centennial Branch

Program registration begins January 2 at 10:00 am.

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January 29, 1:30-2:30 pm Oak Bay Branch January 30, 10:30-11:30 am Esquimalt Branch

Discovery Lab For ages 3-5. Imagine, create and build using STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) learning. Listen to stories and apply your knowledge in hands-on activities. Registered.

January 25, 10:30-11:30 am Oak Bay Branch

Fun with ABCs For young children and accompanying adult. A is for apple, alligator and astronaut — how awesome! Practice your ABCs with alphabet stories, then create alphabet art with an ABC-inspired collage.

Supplies provided. Registered.

January 26, 10:30-11:30 am Nellie McClung Branch

Stuffed Animal Storytime and Sleepover For ages 4-6. Bring your favourite stuffed animal to the library for a storytime, then leave the stuffie at the library for a sleepover. We’ll have cameras set up to record any monkey business. Return the following day after 1:00 pm to pick up your furry friend and see the pictures. Registered.

January 26, 6:30-7:00 pm Esquimalt Branch

Books for Breakfast For young children and their families. Enjoy stories, songs, puppets and a light breakfast snack and take home a book to keep. Presented in partnership with Peninsula Connections for Early Childhood.

Sponsored by Saanich Peninsula Literacy. Drop-in.

January 27, 10:00 am-12:00 pm Bruce Hutchison Branch

Japanese and English Picture Card Theatre For ages 3-5. Enjoy a bilingual Japanese/English storytime using the “picture theatre” format from Japan. After listening to traditional folktales with certified translator Wakana Takai-MacLean, create an art project. Registered.

January 27, 10:30-11:00 am Oak Bay Branch

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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Once Upon a StoryWalk® Everyone welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. Join us for a StoryWalk®, where individual pages of a storybook, mounted on sign posts, are placed outdoors in a circuit. Children follow the narrative by visiting each sign post in sequence. After the StoryWalk®, join us at the branch for nature-inspired activities. Rain or shine; please dress appropriately. Drop-in.

This program is run in collaboration with West Shore Parks and Recreation and is part of Your Literacy Connection Westshore’s Family Learning Tour. Gift bags generously provided by the 1000x5 Children’s Book Recycling Project (limited age ranges; while supplies last).

January 27, 10:00 am-1:00 pm Juan de Fuca Branch

Owl Tell You a Story For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Wrap up Family Literacy Week with us.

This owl-themed storytime and craft promises to be a hoot. Registered.

This program is part of the 2018 West Shore Learning Tour, organized

by Your Literacy Connection Westshore. Gift bags generously provided by the 1000x5 Children’s Book Recycling Project (limited age ranges; while supplies last).

January 27, 10:30-11:30 am Langford Heritage Branch

Storytime with Heroes Inc. For children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Kapow! Listen to stories and have your superhero questions answered by superheroes from Heroes Inc. Drop-in.

January 27, 10:30-11:15 am Nellie McClung Branch

Create Your Own Felt Story: Dog’s Colourful Day For young children and accompanying adult. Join us for a storytime and make a simple felt story to take home. Registered.

January 31, 10:30-11:30 am Central Branch

Program registration begins January 2 at 10:00 am.

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Giggles and Wiggles For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Little listeners with extra energy will enjoy action-filled stories, songs and rhymes followed by free play and stations. Drop-in.

January 31, February 28, 10:30-11:00 am Juan de Fuca Branch

Pajama Storytime For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Put on your PJs, and cuddle up for bedtime stories at the library. Bring along your favourite stuffie. Registered.

February 7, 6:30-7:00 pm Juan de Fuca Branch

Crafts for Kids: Feed the Birds Everyone welcome; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Listen to stories and create your very own bird feeder to take home using a few simple art supplies. Registered.

February 8, 10:30-11:30 am Esquimalt Branch

Be My Valentine For ages 3-5. Wear Valentine's Day colours and enjoy stories, rhymes, songs and a fancy Valentine craft. Registered.

February 9, 10:30-11:30 am Goudy Branch February 13, 10:30-11:30 am Esquimalt Branch February 14, 10:30-11:30 am Central Branch

Fancy Nancy Valentine's Party For ages 3-6. Ooo-la-la! Come celebrate Valentine's Day in style with stupendous stories and activities. Dress up in your fancy best—the more accessories the better. Registered.

February 10, 10:30-11:30 am Bruce Hutchison Branch

Paws 4 Stories Afterschool Club For grades 2-4. Read aloud to a friendly dog and enjoy games and activities to boost reading skills. Volunteers from St. John's Ambulance will be on hand to help. Registered.

Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 3:30-4:30 pm Oak Bay Branch

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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Year of the Dog Storytime For ages 3-5. Gung Hay Fat Choy! Wear red and welcome Chinese New Year with stories and crafts about the Chinese zodiac and dogs, this year’s zodiac animal. Registered.

February 13, 10:30-11:30 am Central Branch

Traditional Stories, Tai Chi and Fans For ages 6 and up; parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with local storyteller Su Ma who will share traditional stories and introduce Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, a combination of Tai Chi movements and special techniques using a large fan. If you have a favourite fan, please bring it. No experience necessary. Registered.

February 17, 2:30-3:30 pm Nellie McClung Branch

Spanish/English Storytime For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy a bilingual storytime and craft, and learn simple songs and phrases in Spanish. Registered.

February 17, 10:30-11:30 am Oak Bay Branch

Fractured Fairy Tales For ages 6-9. Once upon a time, the fairytales and folktales you know and love took an unexpected twist. Who will live happily ever after?

Come to the library and find out. Registered.

February 20, 3:30-4:30 pm Esquimalt Branch

French Storytime For ages 5-8 and parents or caregivers. Enjoy a storytime in French with Canadian Parents for French, and learn about GVPL’s French resources to support emergent readers. Perfect for French Immersion families.

Coffee and cookies provided. Registered.

February 23, 10:30-11:15 am Nellie McClung Branch

Mad Science: Magic in the Kitchen Workshop For ages 6-10. Cooking is all about chemistry. Children will learn about the chemical reactions that occur when they prepare, analyze and digest their food and will be introduced to the laboratory that we call a kitchen. Presented by Mad Science. Registered.

February 23, 2:00-3:00 pm Esquimalt Branch

Program registration begins January 2 at 10:00 am.

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Mad Science: Up, Up and Away Show For ages 5-12. This spellbinding show introduces the principles of air and pressure. Children will learn how pressure affects the world around them as a pop bottle is crushed before their very eyes, a hot air balloon is made from a dry cleaning bag, and when they see how a parachute works. Presented by Mad Science. Registered.

February 23, 2:00-3:00 pm Bruce Hutchison Branch

Origami: The Art of Paper Folding For ages 10-12. Discover the joyful art of origami. Join local origami enthusiast Stephen Tran for lessons in paper folding. There’s no cutting or gluing, just paper folding pure and simple. Registered.

February 23, 2:00-3:00 pm Juan de Fuca Branch

Wrigglers at Work For ages 6-9. Join the Compost Education Centre for hands-on activities with wriggling, wiggling worms, and learn the dos and don’ts of composting with the help of our squirmy friends. Registered.

February 23, 2:00-3:00 pm Central Branch

Elephant, Piggie and Friends For ages 5-8. Fans of Mo Willems's Elephant and Piggie books will enjoy this literary celebration jam-packed with stories, a craft and a puppet play. Registered.

February 23, 2:30-3:30 pm Oak Bay Branch

Story Buddies Young children are paired with volunteer tweens to write and illustrate an original storybook. Together, Little Buddies and Big Buddies will use their imaginations to produce a keepsake that will become part of their life’s story.

Little Buddies For ages 4-6. Registered.

February 23, 2:30-3:30 pm Saanich Centennial Branch

Tween Volunteers For ages 10-12. We provide Big Buddy training and, upon completion, a certificate for volunteering. First-time volunteers, please complete the Volunteer Referral Form at gvpl.ca/volunteer. Registered.

February 23, 2:00-3:30 pm Saanich Centennial Branch

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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Hockey Night at the Library For ages 3-5. Calling all hockey fans! Join us for a family-friendly evening of hockey stories and crafts. The puck drops at 6:30 pm. Registered.

February 27, 6:30-7:30 pm Central Branch

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Join us in celebrating the history and accomplishments of local black Canadians.

Diversity and Black Communities in Victoria

For grades 4-7. Did you know that B.C.'s first black teacher, John Craven Jones, taught on Salt Spring Island in the 1850s? To find out more about the history of black communities in Victoria and B.C., join us for an interactive presentation. Presented by the BC Black History Awareness Society. Registered.

February 15, 10:30-11:30 am Nellie McClung Branch

Black History Month: Tales From Afar For ages 5-12. Enjoy African folktales in celebration of Black History Month. Listen to stories, watch a shadow puppet play and create a colourful craft.

February 2, 10:30-11:30 am Nellie McClung Branch

Hearts and Sparkles Everyone welcome. Wear your heart on your sleeve. Drop by and make a sparkly card on Valentine’s Day. Drop-in.

February 14, 2:00-4:00 pm Oak Bay Branch

Traditional Indigenous Storytime for Families Join Surrounded by Cedar Children and Family Services for a monthly storytelling group for families featuring traditional storytellers, art and songs. To register, please contact counselling@sccfs.com.

February 24, 10:00-11:30 am Bruce Hutchison Branch

Program registration begins January 2 at 10:00 am.

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Teens Teen Writing Contest For Grades 7-12. This contest runs from January 26 to March 26.

Enter your original poem, short story, or a piece in our random category.

Create something new or polish something written for a school assignment. If your entry is selected by the judging panel, you will win a gift certificate to a local book store of your choice, up to $100 for first prize. For details, contest rules, and online entry form, see gvpl.ca/contests. For more information, email teens@gvpl.ca.

DigiLab Advisory Group For ages 13-18. Recommend new equipment for the DigiLab and start planning a program, all while logging volunteer hours and developing leadership skills. The DigiLab Advisory Group meets once a month.

Registered.

January 12 and February 2, 4:00-5:30 pm Esquimalt Branch

DigiLab Volunteer Training Session For ages 13-18. Develop leadership skills, earn volunteer hours, and use your creativity and tech skills to inspire your peers. In this session, you’ll learn how to develop and lead a DigiLab program using our tech tools and craft kits. To lead a DigiLab program, you must attend a training session and complete a Teen Volunteer Referral Form. Registered.

January 20, 3:30-5:00 pm Nellie McClung Branch

DigiLab: Tech Time For ages 13-18. Create and innovate with DigiLab’s tech toolkit, including Alienware laptops and Spheros. Registered.

January 27, 3:30-5:00 pm Central Branch

DigiLab: Photo Booth For ages 13-18. Take selfies or group shots with DigiLab’s photo booth. We'll provide a variety of craft supplies, so you can get creative with your prints. Registered.

February 10, 3:30-5:00 pm Juan de Fuca Branch

DigiLab: Game Night For ages 13-18. Gather ‘round an old-fashioned board game, or play computer games among friends. Registered.

February 23, 7:00-8:30 pm Oak Bay Branch

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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Adults Scrabble at the Library How do you spell fun? S-C-R-A-B-B-L-E! Enjoy three competitive games of Scrabble with players from the Victoria Scrabble Club every Tuesday evening in the 2nd floor meeting room. Drop-in.

January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, 5:45-8:45 pm Central Branch

Canadian Council of the Blind: Get Together with Technology This program helps those who are visually impaired learn to use low-vision and blindness-related technology, like Zoomtext and JAWS, as well as online sites like Facebook and Twitter. First Wednesday of the month. Drop-in.

January 3, February 7, 1:00-3:30 pm Central Branch

Queer Abilities Drop-In A group for anyone in the LGBTQ2+ community living with a disability.

Presented by AIDS Vancouver Island. Drop-in.

January 3, February 7, 5:00-6:30 pm Central Branch

Victoria Chess Club at the Library Enjoy competitive games of chess with players from the Victoria Chess Club every Wednesday. Drop-in.

January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, 6:00-8:45 pm Central Branch

Victoria Writers’ Society Meeting Join the Victoria Writers’ Society for their monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. Drop-in.

January 3, February 7, 7:00-8:30 pm Central Branch

The Elephant in the Room: Politics and Social Media in America Join Janni Aragon, an adjunct assistant professor in political science, from the University of Victoria's Speakers Bureau for a talk covering current events in U.S. politics, paying special attention to social media.

Registered.

January 11, 7:00-8:30 pm Central Branch

10 Program registration begins January 2 at 10:00 am.

Third Thursday Book Club Join us for a monthly book discussion group featuring titles chosen from different genres and available in multiple formats: ebook, e-audiobook, books on CD, and print. Read or listen to a pre-selected book at home, discuss it at the monthly meeting, and hear about other titles to enjoy. Registered.

January 18, February 15, 2:00-3:30 pm Oak Bay Branch

Vancouver Island Trans Masculine Support Group Trans masculine people of all ages, at any stage of their journey, are welcome to join this safe space to connect, share and support each other. Meetings occur on the third Thursday of the month. For more information, email vitransmasc@gmail.com. Drop-in.

January 18, February 15, 6:00-7:30 pm Central Branch

WordsThaw Prequel: Emerging Malahat Writers As a prequel to WordsThaw, The Malahat Review’s annual spring symposium, City of Victoria Poet Laureate Yvonne Blomer will host a celebratory evening. Past and present Malahat Review interns will read from their own creative works. Registered.

January 18, 7:00-8:30 pm Central Branch

Deans‘ Lecture Series Research shapes the way we live and think. Meet distinguished members of the faculties of the University of Victoria and learn about their research interests. Check the calendar at continuingstudies.uvic.ca for lecture topics and schedules.

To register, call UVic's Continuing Studies Department at 250-472-4747.

January 19, 26, February 2, 12:30-1:45 pm Central Branch

Introduction to Google Translate: We Speak Translate Learn how to communicate with English language learners and newcomers using the Google Translate app. Bring your own tablet or smartphone for the hands-on portion of the training, or follow along with the demonstration. Presentation by the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria. Registered.

January 23, 2:00-3:00 pm Nellie McClung Branch

Web Resources for Investing Learn about popular Canadian financial websites to help you make better investment decisions. Registered.

January 24, 2:00-3:30 pm Central Branch

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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Professional Editors Association of Vancouver Island Monthly meeting of the Professional Editors Association of Vancouver Island (PEAVI), a network of independent editors serving its members and the wider community. Drop-in.

January 24, February 28, 7:00-8:30 pm Central Branch

South Island Gender Variant Drop-In A group for trans, gender queer, two-spirit and gender variant individuals on the South Island. A safe place to come together, share and support each other. Presented by AIDS Vancouver Island. Drop-in.

January 25, February 22, 6:00-7:30 pm Central Branch

Victorian Book Club Enjoy reading and discussing classic Victorian novels by authors such as the BrontĂŤs, Charles Dickens and others. Please read The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky for the January meeting. Future readings will be selected by the group. Registered.

January 25, February 22, 6:30-7:30 pm Oak Bay Branch

The ID Project Lost your ID? Can't afford to replace it? We can help. Come to the ID Clinic every fourth Friday of the month. The ID Project is supported

by Pro Bono Students Canada (UVic Chapter), the Downtown Service Providers Committee of Victoria and the Constituency Office of Carole James, MLA. Drop-in.

January 26, February 23, 2:00-5:00 pm Central Branch, Study Room 1

Monday Book Club Join us for a monthly book discussion group featuring titles chosen from different genres and available in multiple formats: ebook, e-audiobook, books on CD and print. Read or listen to a pre-selected book at home, discuss it at the monthly meeting and hear about other titles to enjoy. Please read or listen to A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson, for the January meeting. Registered.

January 29, February 26, 2:00-3:30 pm Central Branch

Westshore Writers' Group

Writers of all levels and genres discuss the craft of writing.

Drop-in.

January 31, February 28, 7:00-8:30 pm Juan de Fuca Branch

12 Program registration begins January 2 at 10:00 am.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Join us in celebrating the history and accomplishments of local black Canadians.

Black History Month Kick-off

February is Black History Month, and you're invited to drop by to chat with members of the BC Black History Awareness Society. Find out more about B.C. black history, local events happening through out February and the society. Drop-in.

February 3, 12:00-2:00 pm Central Branch

World Music Concert

In celebration of Black History Month, we invite you to join us for an evening of music featuring award-winning musicians Cathy Essombe and Patrick Bermel of the band Ardent Tribe. Admission by donation.

Presented in partnership with the BC Black History Awareness Society and the Belfry Theatre. Drop-in.

February 12, 7:00-8:30 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Ave.

Financial Success for Families Looking to buy a home, save for your child's education, reduce your taxes or qualify for government benefits? This program will show you some ways to reach your family financial goals faster. Registered.

February 3, 11:00 am-12:30 pm Juan de Fuca Branch

Author Lee Mackenzie: The Charming Predator Join Lee Mackenzie, a former CBC journalist, as she reads from her memoir, The Charming Predator: The True Story of How I Fell in Love with and Married a Sociopathic Fraud. Registered.

February 3, 2:00-3:00 pm Central Branch

Love, Poetry and Chocolate Join City of Victoria Poet Laureate Yvonne Blomer and other local poets for a delicious afternoon of poetry readings, personalized poems and chocolate. Registered.

February 4, 2:00-4:00 pm Central Branch

Microsoft Word Basics Learn the basics of word processing with Microsoft Word 2013.

Prerequisite: ability to use a computer mouse. Registered.

February 5, 10:30 am-12:00 pm Saanich Centennial Branch

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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Belfry Booksmack Get Booksmacked! Come out for an evening of great book, music, audiobook and film recommendations with GVPL’s finest. Bring your library card to sign out material on the spot. Drop-in.

February 5, 7:30-9:00 pm Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Ave.

Conversations for a One Planet Region Join a group of community members for a presentation and discussion that explores the environmental, social and economic issues related to the concept of a One Planet Region, an initiative to make sustainable living a reality. Drop-in.

February 8, 5:00-7:00 pm Central Branch

Reconciliation Syllabus: An Introduction to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action Join Rebecca Johnson, a professor in the Faculty of Law, from the University of Victoria's Speakers Bureau for an accessible introduction to the legal history of residential schools, legal activism leading to the TRC and the resulting 94 calls to action. Registered.

February 9, 7:00-8:30 pm Nellie McClung Branch

Collage Poems, Letters and Envelopes Join poet Wendy Morton for an afternoon devoted to the love of written letters and the envelopes that hold them. Create collages on envelopes using old photographs, poem fragments, beautiful napkins and magazines. Registered.

February 10, 1:00-2:30 pm Juan de Fuca Branch

Introduction to Instagram Learn to use Instagram to share your favourite photographs with the world or just a few close friends. Bring your tablet or smartphone for the hands-on portion of the training, or follow along with the demonstration. Registered.

February 15, 2:30-3:30 pm Juan de Fuca Branch

The Business Hub at City Hall: Information Session for Victoria Businesses Cut though the red tape of running a business in Victoria.

City Hall’s Business Hub is your first point of contact for finding resources, connecting with the right people and creating prosperity in Victoria at any stage of your business development. Registered.

February 15, 7:00-8:30 pm Central Branch

14 Program registration begins January 2 at 10:00 am.

Repair Café Have an alarm clock that won't buzz or a pair of pants that needs mending? Don't toss it! Bring it to the Repair Café where you can get help fixing household items. Drop-in.

February 17, 9:30 am-12:30 pm Central Branch

Watercolour on Masa Paper: Year of the Dog Join professional watercolour artist Richard Wong in a painting workshop inspired by Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dog. No experience necessary. Registered.

February 17, 1:00-3:00 pm Esquimalt Branch

North Dairy to Homestead Farm: Dairy Farming in Saanich Since the mid-1800s, dairies have played an important role in Saanich.

By 1935, more than 140 were operating in Greater Victoria. Join historian Ron Greene for a look at the dairy industry in Saanich brought to life with historical photographs, farmers’ journals, dairy records and ephemera. Registered.

February 21, 1:00-2:00 pm Saanich Centennial Branch

Bees in the Capital Region Join Lora Morandin, a doctor of biological sciences and bee expert, to explore the natural history and conservation of bees. Presented in partnership with LifeCycles Project Society. Registered.

February 21, 6:30-8:30 pm Central Branch

Ten Healthy Financial Habits Increase your personal money management skills with a chartered professional accountant who will show you how to get your finances in order. Registered.

February 21, 7:00-8:30 pm Bruce Hutchison Branch

Effective Tax Strategies Learn how to minimize the amount of income tax you pay and better understand Canada’s tax system, with a chartered professional accountant. Registered.

March 1, 7:00-8:30 pm Central Branch

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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VICTORIA SEED LIBRARY Created by LifeCycles Project Society and GVPL, the Victoria Seed Library offers a way for hobby and beginner gardeners to share seeds and other gardening resources.

Seed Library Member Orientation

Learn how to borrow seeds from the Victoria Seed Library and how to dry seeds for return at the end of the season. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with other seed savers and share resources, tips and techniques for backyard growing. This orientation is required to participate in Seed Swaps. Registered.

February 24, 10:00-11:30 am Central Branch

Seed Swap Sign out the varieties that interest you, and then return seeds from your healthiest or tastiest crops to share with others. Prerequisite: Seed Library Member Orientation. Drop-in.

February 24, 10:00 am-1:00 pm Central Branch

Master Gardeners at GVPL Questions about plants or pests? Save them up and drop by the rotunda of the Central Branch to speak with Master Gardeners from the Victoria Master Gardener Association. Kindly bring your specimens in a sealed bag. Drop-in.

February 24, 10:00 am-1:00 pm Central Branch

pick your brain

GVPL has created a quiz to help you “change your mind” — the more you know, the more you grow!

gvpl.ca/yourbrain

16 Program registration begins January 2 at 10:00 am.

Branches and Hours Central Branch 735 Broughton St Monday, Friday, Saturday.............................................................................9:00 am-6:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.............................................................9:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday.................................................................................................................................1:00-5:00 pm

Bruce Hutchison Branch

4636 Elk Lake Dr at Saanich Commonwealth Place Monday, Friday, Saturday.......................................................................... 10:00 am-6:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.......................................................... 10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday.................................................................................................................................1:00-5:00 pm

Central Saanich Branch 1209 Clarke Rd, Brentwood Bay Monday, Tuesday, Thursday................................................................... 10:00 am-9:00 pm Wednesday, Friday, Saturday................................................................10:00 am-6:00 pm Sunday................................................................................................................................ 1:00-5:00 pm

Emily Carr Branch 101-3521 Blanshard St at Uptown Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday....................10:00 am-6:00 pm Thursday................................................................................................................ 10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday.................................................................................................................................1:00-5:00 pm

Esquimalt Branch 1231 Esquimalt Rd Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday.....................................10:00 am-6:00 pm Thursday, Friday...............................................................................................10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday................................................................................................................................ 1:00-5:00 pm

Goudy Branch 119-755 Goldstream Ave Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday.........................................9:30 am-5:30 pm Thursday, Friday.................................................................................................. 9:30 am-6:00 pm Sunday.......................................................................................................................1:00 pm-5:00 pm

Juan de Fuca Branch 1759 Island Hwy Monday, Friday, Saturday.......................................................................... 10:00 am-6:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday..........................................................10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday................................................................................................................................ 1:00-5:00 pm

Langford Heritage Branch 102-1314 Lakepoint Way Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.......................... 10:00 am-6:00 pm Wednesday......................................................................................................... 10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday.................................................................................................................................1:00-5:00 pm Library vending machine …..................................................................................... always open

Nellie McClung Branch 3950 Cedar Hill Rd Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday..................................... 10:00 am-6:00 pm Thursday, Friday............................................................................................... 10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday.................................................................................................................................1:00-5:00 pm

Oak Bay Branch 1442 Monterey Ave at Monterey Rec. Centre Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday..................................... 10:00 am-6:00 pm Thursday, Friday............................................................................................... 10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday.................................................................................................................................1:00-5:00 pm

Saanich Centennial Branch 3110 Tillicum Rd at Pearkes Arena Monday, Friday, Saturday.......................................................................... 10:00 am-6:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.......................................................... 10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday.................................................................................................................................1:00-5:00 pm

Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875.

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