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CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Uncover the rich history of the Vancouver Public Library's central branch as it celebrates its 30th year
People wearing face masks enter the Vancouver Public Library's central branch after it and four other branches reopened with limited services, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck As the Vancouver Public Library's central branch celebrated its 30th anniversary at the end of May, staff reflected on the milestones and memorable moments experienced at the building since it opened on West Georgia Street in 1995. Its inception had been the result of a public referendum calling for a new facility to replace the aging VPL building on Burrard Street and those memorable moments, says Kay Cahill, VPL's director of Information Technology and Collections, had begun to mount before the ribbon had even been cut. 'The move from the old building to the new was really quite something. There were 600 or so truckloads of materials that had to be transported,' she says. An invitation to the public to take part in what the library called 'Operation Bookworm' saw book lovers come together to form a human chain and pass the hundreds of publications from the old library building to the new. 'I believe the first book to arrive was actually the World Bibliography of Bibliographies,' says Cahill, adding how the library now offers up over one million publications in its collection. The interesting tales and tidbits created during those first few weeks would be joined by countless others as time went on, giving the library a history at 30 years that is storied in a way rarely associated with buildings of such youth. Few people will know, for example, that if you enter the doors of the central branch and look directly upwards, you will see a time capsule, buried between levels 2 and 3, that was made and hidden during the library's 16th anniversary in 2010. Naturally, Cahill refuses to divulge what exactly can be found inside. It would spoil the secret ahead of its opening in 2040, she says, but she does disclose that its contents revolve around the theme 'One Book, One Vancouver.' The World Bibliography of Bibliographies might have been the first text to enter the library's front doors, but the most impressive publication to do so is one that has been passed down for centuries, and through more hands than just those of the Vancouver public. A Breviarium, a medieval manuscript written by nuns in a German convent in 1430, is kept with other old and rare books in a special, climate-controlled vault on the library's seventh floor. It is the facility's oldest artefact, sitting alongside periodicals, maps and manuscripts from B.C.'s first explorers. Cahill says the library is currently working to digitize some of the ancient texts to allow the public to peruse them safely online. Until then, it can only be viewed upon request and under the guidance of library staff. Cahill, who joined the library on its 10th anniversary and is celebrating her 20th year with the facility as it celebrates its 30th, has witnessed firsthand some of the change and growth the library has been subject to over the decades. She notes the reclaiming of the 8th and 9th floors that, for the first 20 years of the library's lifespan, were leased out to the provincial government. It was a major turning point for the facility, she says, namely because the space was repurposed to become the library's rooftop garden – one of few rooftop spots in Vancouver where one can enjoy the sun without paying $30 for a cocktail. The Inspiration Lab, which opened in May 2015, features analog-to-digital conversion stations where visitors can digitize their old videotapes and photo negatives. A particularly fond memory of Cahill's is of one man who arrived at the lab with a pillowcase stuffed with videotapes, not realizing, in his excitement to digitize them all, that the project would take at least three weeks to complete. The space is also home to green screens, computers with editing and graphic design software, and recording studios available to be used by musicians and podcasters. 'There's actually a really inspirational story about a busker who busked on Granville Street for years and years and was constantly asked whether or not he had CDs of his music,' recalls Cahill. 'He was able to come into the library, make a recording, use the software to do the editing, and then he was able to make his CD and have that available for people to buy. It changed his whole way of being.' Musical instruments – guitars, ukuleles, violins, keyboards – are also available to be rented, and Cahill says the library 'works really hard' to make the public aware that the facility is about more than just books. 'It's always going to be a journey of exploration when you come to the library,' she says, touching on how the space is a place of community connection and a hotbed of creativity when it comes to the worlds of music, art, writing, and film. Film buffs will likely know that the central branch building has featured in numerous movies and TV series, including The Flash, Supergirl, Altered Carbon, Battlestar Galactica, and the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi action flick The 6th Day, where it was blown to smithereens. With such interesting tidbits making up much of the library's history, Cahill expects the Vancouver public to come out in full force for the guided tour that has been put in place to celebrate the 30th anniversary. There's plenty more to be learned, she says, and countless other accomplishments to acknowledge regarding the library's literary programs and First Nations connections. The June 12 tour is a drop-in event starting at 6 p.m., although Cahill recommends swinging by in advance. With over 1.5 million visitors having visited the library in 2024 and much of the Vancouver public hankering to be a part of its ongoing history, there could be a queue.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Financial lessons from a woman whose husband died suddenly at 39
If you can't find the time or motivation to plan financially for your death or a serious illness, please read Jane Blaufus's book. It's called With the Stroke of a Pen: Claim Your Life, and it includes a 33-page checklist of questions for working through the process of helping family members sort through your affairs when you die. The checklist is helpful, but so is Ms. Blaufus's personal experience after the loss of her husband. To hear more, check out this e-mail Q&A I did with Ms. Blaufus: Q: Jane, can you tell us in both a personal and professional sense how you came to write your book? A: My 39-year-old husband walked out the door one Sunday morning, and that afternoon a police officer arrived in my driveway to share the news that he had been killed in an accident. In less than 60 seconds, the world I knew had been turned upside down and I had become a widow with a 12-year-old daughter and a financial tsunami coming my way. By that time, I had been in the life insurance industry for 16 years and had foolishly thought that if anything ever happened to me that I would be better prepared than others. Wrong. I was blindsided by so many unexpected things and thought that if I wasn't prepared, despite all of my knowledge and expertise, what would the average person do in that situation? Fast forward to today and I am happily remarried to a wonderful man who was also widowed after his wife suffered an illness. We collectively decided to pay it forward by sharing our story to help prevent other families from going through what we did. Q: In the conversations you've had with readers, friends, family and clients in your professional life, what have you learned about the capacity people have for preparing for their own death and the death of loved ones? Do we ever get to a point where nine in 10 people have a will, powers of attorney and made other preparations? A: Unfortunately, most people are terrified to talk about death and illness. For many it is like looking their own mortality in the face, but these conversations are crucial because we have an obligation to ourselves and those we love to leave this world in an organized manner. The last thing someone needs when a loved one has become ill or died is to be running around trying to find all the pertinent documents needed to make decisions about medical care or funeral arrangements. Sadly, I do not think we will ever get to the point where nine in ten people will have had these important conversations. Q: If you were to list some of the top things to do to make sure your loved ones are prepared in case of your death, what would they be? A: To start, make sure your loved ones know what your final wishes are. I had asked my husband four times what he would want if anything happened to him and he would always change the subject. When he died, I had to plan a funeral as if I had been blindfolded; it was horrible. Next, make sure you have a current, up-to-date will and powers of attorney for both medical and financial matters. You would not believe the number of times I have heard stories about couples divorcing and the ex-spouse gets everything because the will was never changed. Also, make sure you have enough life insurance for today. Do not stick your policy in a drawer, as things have a way of changing over time. Also, if you have a special needs member of the family, make sure you have provided for them to be cared for in the future. Please make sure all of the beneficiary designations are correct and current as well. And, make sure you have assembled all of your important documentation into one central location, and make sure everyone who should know where it is, does. Your loved ones and your executor should be able to quickly and easily access this information. Speaking of executors, make sure you have asked your executor and legal guardians for your underage children if they willingly accept the role and associated responsibilities. Do not simply assume they will, because if they decline to accept the role after you are gone, you cannot make changes from the grave. Q: What do you think about bringing your adult children into the discussion of what happens when you die? How old should kids be for this conversation? A: This is a very important question, and I believe it is critical to bring them into the discussion, especially today, where there are so many blended families. Having them involved in the conversation can mitigate so many issues that have the potential to erupt after someone dies. As for your question about how old they should be, I would leave this in the parents' hands to determine the age, as they will know their child's maturity level better than anyone else. However, at the latest, I personally would bring them in when they reach adulthood. My poor daughter has had more of these conversations than I think she would care for! Q: Looking back on your own experience when your husband died, what types of advance planning had you done and how did they help in the aftermath? A: The year before my husband died, we had met with our financial advisor to review our investments and life insurance policies. We actually purchased more insurance as things had changed from our last review. The life insurance my husband lovingly put in place for us became a financial lifeline that helped me as I tried to get back on my feet and return to work. We also reviewed our wills with our lawyer, which made settling his estate much easier for me. Q: I've seen some apps and software over the years that were designed to help people organize themselves for when they die, but none seems to have taken off. Do you think the right app could help people engage more with this type of planning, and do you know any apps people should check out? A: I personally do not think an app would engage more people and I do not have a go-to suggestion to offer. What I have done in my book is provide my readers with a checklist designed to help get the conversations going with the people you need to be having them with. It serves as a workbook to help people get their personal and financial lives in order while they can. Are you reading this newsletter on the web or did someone forward the e-mail version to you? If so, you can sign up for Carrick on Money here. Dollarama vs. Costco A nine-product price comparison, including staples like tomato sauce and paper towels. Would you buy a Canadian car? How feasible would it be to tap into Buy Canada sentiment by launching an actual Canadian car company? Foreign companies assemble vehicles in this country, but there are no Canadian automakers. Fixing the problem of too much stuff Advice on de-cluttering from YouTube's The Minimal Mom. The emphasis is on making your living space more comfortable, not throwing a lot of stuff out. Life with the Cybertruck An amusing take on what it's like to drive the Tesla Cybertruck, which starts around $120,000 in Canada. A recent report from J.D. Power shows that in the segment of people who say they are likely to consider an electric vehicle for their next purchase, Tesla has dropped to eighth place after four years among the top two. Subscribe to Stress Test on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Ask Rob Q: What should the investing approach for seniors be for stocks versus guaranteed income certificates? One, both, neither? A: Both can work well. Stocks for long-term growth and dividend income, GICs to supplement bonds as a source of interest income and stability when stocks decline. An all-stocks approach is too risky for most seniors, while all GICs means a sacrifice of growth for safety. The 5 per cent GIC yields of a few years ago far exceed today's peak rates of 3.5 to 3.95 per cent. Tools and guides This new retirement planning calculator was created by a team including Ben Felix, a portfolio manager who has done a lot of great educational work. In the social sphere Social Media: A LinkedIn discussion about a column I wrote recently about a proposal to tax real estate investment properties. Watch: Toronto's spring housing market: Dead on arrival Money-Free Zone: The band Wye Oak strips down the Kate Bush song Running Up That Hill to the basics, and makes it work. Here's the great, more ornate original version. More PF from The Globe - They downsized to save money and simplify their lives. Here's what they wished they'd known - For travel-loving Canadians, other financial goals take a back seat to vacation spending - When did tipping diverge from a reward for good service to a wage-subsidization tactic?
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Former New York, London transit exec tapped to lead Toronto Transit Commission
The incoming CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission says he hopes to leverage his experience working for two of the largest transit agencies in the world to make the TTC the most reliable transit system in North America. Mandeep Lali was announced as the TTC's pick to be the new CEO at a news conference in Scarborough Thursday. "My vision for the TTC is to be world class — world class in safety, reliability, affordability and accessibility," Lali said Thursday. "Those are all basics of which are fundamentals of a great transportation system." Lali was previously an executive at New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), serving as executive vice-president and chief operating officer of subways for the largest transit agency in North America. Prior to that, he spent over a 13 years at Transport for London. He'll be taking over the role from Rick Leary, who retired at the end of August last year. Lali was tapped to take the helm of the city's transit commission after an extensive international search that lasted close to nine months, said TTC board chair Jamaal Myers at Thursday's news conference. "When we asked him what his goal for the TTC was, he said, without missing a beat, to make the TTC the most reliable transit system in North America," Myers said. "As a lifelong TTC rider this was music to my ears. It's what every Torontonian wants to hear."
