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CTV News
a day ago
- General
- 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.
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Hi-tech makeover for 161-year-old Prayagraj Public Library
As part of the initiatives undertaken under the Prayagraj Smart City project to turn the city smart in different phases, the Government Public Library, having historical importance of holding the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Province on January 08, 1887, has now turned hi-tech. Having over 1.25 lakh books, rare manuscripts and bound volumes of newspapers including around 500 books as old as 400 to 500 years, the monitoring and functioning of the library is being done through a customised Library Management Software. According to librarian Dr Gopal Mohan Shukla, the Public Library is the largest in the state as it is the lone library present in Category 5 in UP. 'As per government norms, libraries are classified into five categories based on several parameters including the count of collection of books and manuscripts, daily average footfalls, count of registered members, maximum seating capacity at any given time, annual budgetary allocation, etc.,' he said. The Government Public Library, having a rich collection of nearly 150 manuscripts and famous original works right from the Mughal period, including the Shahnama, a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi, and the Persian translation of Upanishads by Dara Shikoh, etc., is the lone member classified in Category 5 in UP, he added. Presently, over 1.25 lakh books including nearly 500 books as old as 400 to 500 years are being monitored and controlled through a Library Management Software. The books and manuscripts have been barcoded to facilitate their monitoring. Along with this, the IT team of Smart City has also created the library's website — — for the convenience of readers. As per the Manager (IT) of Prayagraj Smart City Project, Mani Shanker Tripathi, the automation of the Government Public Library was done through a budgetary allocation of around ₹2.25 crore, including placement of 22 CCTV cameras in different locations of the library. The 161-year-old library, established in 1864 during the British rule with the approval of the then Lieutenant Governor Sir William Muir in Alfred Park (now known as Chandra Shekhar Azad Park), also has bound volumes of gazettes including: Gazette of India (1900 to 1953), North-Western Provinces Gazette (1860 to 1902), United Provinces Gazette (1903 to 1951), and Uttar Pradesh Gazette (1951 to 2000), besides bound volumes of newspapers as old as The Pioneer of 1864, Bharatvarsh (Bangla) from 1924 to 1969, Punch Magazine from 1925 to 1974, The Round Table from 1910 to 1974, Spectator from 1938 to 1973, Economist from 1948 to 1974, etc. Presently, the library has over 3,000 registered members besides a staff strength of 26.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Levy funds in jeopardy for Terra Alta Public Library
TERRA ALTA, (WBOY) — As the town of Terra Alta awaits the state's decision on whether to accept its budget after it was submitted nearly two months late, the Terra Alta Public Library has shared its own concerns about its future. 'I was floored. I was shocked. My stomach literally dropped out.' Terra Alta Librarian Karen Chroussis said, recounting how she felt when she first learned of the town's missed budget submission. Chroussis was not alone in her reaction to the news of the lack of budget, which means that the town cannot collect on the levy that keeps the library's lights on and its shelves stocked with books. 'What we just really want to do is sit down and cry—or I do. Because I've worked here at the library for 33 years. It's been a big part of my life,' Terra Alta Public Library Board Member Ima Thomas said. The current library levy was approved in 2023 and is good until 2028, with the library expecting to receive $97,000 for the upcoming fiscal year, but based on the budget the town submitted to the state on May 23, those library levy funds are in jeopardy. Preston County Commission opposes proposed multi-state power line The funding not only helps buy new books for the patrons the library serves, but it also provides genealogy tools, microfilm services, and other important services for the community. 'We have a lot of students come in to use Wi-Fi because they don't have it in their homes, and if that were lost—I don't know where they'll go to get what they need for school,' Wayne Williams, Terra Alta Library Board President, said. 'What bothers me is the town is who voted to pass the levy for the library,' Thomas said. Adding that in her decades-long career at the library, this is the first time that already-approved levy funding is in jeopardy. 'They overlooked, and it happened twice before they realized that. Rectify it, but don't make the people who want it—this library to be here—don't make them suffer,' Thomas said. Although the library is a recipient of Grants in Aid through the West Virginia Library Commission, Chroussis fears that it won't be enough to sustain it, even if for just a year. 'We'll do what we can do as long as we can. But, I'm afraid if we don't get our levy, the library will close,' Chroussis said. Williams suggested the library may instead operate on limited hours if the levy funds do not come through. Terra Alta has been struggling to pick up the pieces since this situation came to light. Following the submission on May 23, Town Recorder Mikaela Bernard and Mayor Dan Hauger have both resigned from their positions. The Town of Terra Alta is scheduled to have an emergency meeting on Thursday to appoint new members to the now-vacant positions, and is less than two weeks away from its election. Since Hauger's resignation, the town has also created a brand new Facebook page, which you can find here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
No school, no problem: Utah's summer meal programs address student food insecurity
While many students look forward to the end of the school year and the start of summer break, roughly 17% of Utah children who suffer from food insecurity may worry more about where their food will come from without access to school lunch. To help children and families meet nutritional needs over the break, the Utah State Board of Education's Child Nutrition Program administers more than a dozen federal food programs working together to feed low-income children. Free meals will be available through these programs at over 300 locations combined at schools, libraries, parks and community centers this summer. The locations are spread across the state, with close to 30 locations in Salt Lake City, 18 in Ogden and 40 throughout Utah County. Several school districts will participate in the Utah Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option, which provide free meals to children 18 and younger and offer low-cost meals for adults. Children must be present to collect their meals and eat at the site, but some take-home items like fruit may be provided. Most meal sites will be closed on state holidays, including Juneteenth, Fourth of July and Pioneer Day. 'I think there is a great need,' said Sheldon Moore, field supervisor for the Child Nutrition Program. 'Most of the kids rely on our breakfast and lunch meals during (the) school year. When school is out, they still need to be fed ... so this program actually bridges the gap in the summer months to make sure that our kids are still fed.' Salt Lake City School District will provide free lunches at the Salt Lake City Public Library, local elementary schools and parks between June 4 and Aug. 9. Free breakfast will also be provided at participating schools when summer school is in session. Visit the Salt Lake City School District website for site-specific hours and schedules. Granite School District will provide free lunches at 14 locations in West Valley City, Magna, Kearns, Taylorsville and Salt Lake City on weekdays from June 9 to Aug.1. Adult meals at these locations will be $3.50 each. The school district also plans to host a summer meals kickoff celebration to provide free barbecue and games on June 10. Details on participating locations, schedules and menus are available on their website here. Davis School District will serve free lunches at 15 schools across the district on Mondays through Thursdays from June 2 to July 23. Lunch is available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and adults eat for $4.25 per meal. The full list of participating locations is available here. Alpine School District will offer free lunch and breakfast for children at several schools this summer. Adults can join their children for breakfast for $3 or lunch for $5. The summer meal schedule for June, with locations and menu options, is available on the school district's Facebook page. Utah's child nutrition programs served 68,530 free summer meals in the Salt Lake City School District in 2024, according to Moore. 'That just shows you, just (in this) district, how many kids this program impacted. Then, if you throw in everybody else just around us, you can see how much this program is needed,' said Moore. A cumulative list of organizations participating in Utah summer meals and their operating dates can be found here. The board of education announced on Tuesday that the SUN Meals program will also be returning to Utah this summer to offer free meals and snacks. The federally funded program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides food to low-income children age 18 and under who qualify for reduced-price or free lunch at various locations in their communities. School meal programs reported nearly 200,000 students were determined eligible for free or reduced-priced school meals in 2024, according to reports from the Child Nutrition Program. Most locations are congregate meal sites, meaning students must be present to receive their meal — rather than have a parent pick it up — and must eat at the site. In rural communities where it may be more difficult to travel to a meal site, the program also offers meals at noncongregate sites for pickup and delivery through SUN Meals-to-go. SUN Meals programs are being offered in addition to the SUN Bucks or Summer EBT program, which provides $120 per child in households that receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Medicaid. Households with children receiving reduced or free lunch or already enrolled in these programs will be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks. 'It's important for our Utah students to have access to healthy and nutritious meals, not only when they're in the classroom, but when they're out of the classroom, as well,' said Sharon Turner, director of public affairs for the Utah State Board of Education. 'So, the SUN bucks and SUN meals programs will provide different ways and methods where they can have access to that.' SUN Bucks funds are scheduled to be dispersed in June this year. For more information or to apply to the program, visit the Department of Workforce Services website here. A map of locations that offer SUN Meal services throughout the summer is available on the U.S. Department of Agriculture website. While information for the state is not on the website yet, it is updated every Friday, and Utah-specific updates will be added by the end of May and June, according to the Utah State Board of Education.
Otago Daily Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Musos embrace month
The Box Car Blues Band and friends (from left) Craig Conlan, Jay Morriss, Tammy Shepard, Eric Shepard, Gary Shirley, Dean Criddle and Mike Corder, perform at Oamaru Public Library as part of New Zealand Music Month celebrations. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Waitakians were treated to some of the district's finest talent as part of New Zealand Music Month, Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2025. The month-long spotlight on local music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Oamaru Public Library ran a focus on a variety of musical performers from the area. Community educator and engagement officer Lisa Jane Potaka-Ross said the celebrations included some "extraordinary" instruments and musicians. Beginning the musical programme earlier in the month were Oamaru musicians Eric Shepard and Gary Shirley who spoke about, and then played, the musical instruments they craft from "found objects". Shepard builds cigar-box guitars, and Shirley makes and plays stomp boxes. A stomp box is a foot-activated percussion instrument. "Gary Shirley spoke first about cajons (box-shaped percussion instrument) and stomp boxes which he pours an enormous amount of energy and detail into and has enjoyed passing on to other musicians and enthusiasts to play. "Eric Shepard then gave a wonderful talk about his passion for making cigar box guitars. "He isn't a musician himself, so he builds these extraordinary instruments from scratch, sourcing cigar boxes from the USA, and gifts them to local guitarists," Ms Potaka-Ross said. The evening culminated with a performance from the Box Car Blues Band who debuted at the recent Harbour Street Jazz and Blues Festival, in which the band featured four players on Shepard's crafted guitars, she said. "It was great. We probably had knocking on 30 people in the audience; some who had come for a second helping, testimony to the following the band are gathering already, and the appreciation for the unique and special sound of these incredible instruments." Lunchtime entertainment was also provided last week at the library with three-piece band The Reveal playing covers of Kiwi classics, the Waitaki Singers from Waitaki Girls' High School providing an "entertaining repertoire" and the Ōamaru Library Community Waiata group singing some "catchy tunes" in te reo Māori, Ms Potaka Ross said.
