Sponsored Projects

• Writer in Residence — 2025 Residency: The program provides a selected writer with a paid, full-time, sixteen-week residency. The writer spends 50% of their time working on a personal writing project and 50% of their time sharing their expertise through workshops, one-to-one mentoring of aspiring writers, and hosting memorable public events. Friends of the Vancouver Public Library have long supported this program, making it possible to run successfully each year. The deliverables from this project will be four-months of unique, patron-centred programming that encourages creativity and social connection for VPL patrons in the form of workshops and educational programs, in addition to one-on-one consultations with the Writer in Residence. Additionally, this program supports and local author in their creative practice and spotlights Canadian Literature for VPL patrons.
• Victor Reader Stratus Refresh: VPL’s ASV staff identified a need to purchase 15 new Victor Reader Stratus players to lend to ASV patrons, providing them with access to assistive technology. These players provide access to VPL’s talking book collection for Patrons with Print Disabilities. The newer model Victor Reader Stratus is more user-friendly, easier to learn, and has higher audio quality than the older PlexTalks and earlier Victor players. VPL is currently low on inventory (4 left), as they have seen a growing need from ASV patrons requesting these specific players for their 6-month loan period. The high cost is a barrier to most of VPL patrons to buy one for themselves. VPL also hopes to purchase an accompanying Plastic Key Cover for each machine, which simplifies the key layout.
• Branch Adult Programming: VPL branches are requesting funding to support area programming for adults, such as: Partnership programs such as gardening workshops and seed libraries with Village Vancouver; Supplies (eg. lettuce) and participation fees for Community Lunar New Year events; programs that support truth and reconciliation and uplift Indigenous voices in communities across the city; film programs that invite community members to enjoy watching a movie together; and ESL Conversation Circles. Branch adult programming increases accessibility for patrons who live far from Central Library. If successful, the budget will be distributed throughout the system to ensure that branches can make community-led choices when determining how to allocate the funding. The full amount will be divided equally by neighbourhood quadrants (4). Programming initiatives that are of interest across multiple areas will be coordinated as one and costs split between interested areas.
• 2STGD Rhyme Time: A program for Two Spirit, trans, and gender diverse (2STGD) parents and caregivers with young children, and young 2STGD children accompanied by cis gender parents and caregivers.  Songs, rhymes and stories are shared.  Intended for children ages 0-5 to enjoy and learn together, and to provide connection and community building for parents and caregivers. For this program, VPL will partner with Parks Board Queer Inclusion Team.
• Children’s Virtual Programming: In order to facilitate increased STEM programming, VPL has requested funding for high-quality, developmentally appropriate literacy applications for CTS iPads used during class and summer camp visits to VPL.
• Honouring Indigenous Communities through Cultural Programming: VPL proposes a series of hands-on workshops that celebrates rich cultural traditions practiced in local Indigenous communities. These will be hosted and planned by the VPL, but co-designed and delivered by Knowledge Keepers in the community, who would be provided an honoraria in recognition of sharing their expertise.

* Many Indigenous patrons and community members are not living on their ancestral lands and VPL has been told that they can play a role in reconnecting them with their stolen traditions. Indigenous programming would be determined in consultation with new and established partners, but could include sharing teachings related to cedar weaving, carving, and beading. Sessions would be concentrated around National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) and National Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30). This allows VPL to more effectively support significant times of both celebration and remembrance widely recognized among Indigenous communities. VPL anticipates funding will be used for honoraria and supplies, depending on the activity and session  (e.g. cedar that may be required for weaving).

* The Britannia Branch is planning for two programs related to National Indigenous Peoples’ Day in June and two programs related to National Truth & Reconciliation Day in September. The Mount Pleasant branch plans to offer one program related to each of these days.

Sponsored Projects

• Writer in Residence — 2023 Residency: The VPL Writer in Residence program promotes Canadian writing and literature to Vancouver citizens. During the four-month residency, the writer spends 50% of their time working on their own project and 50% of their time mentoring emerging writers, conducting workshops, and participating in other activities and programs to share their experience with the community.
• Writing & Book Camp Support: This donation will cover core program expenses such as staffing, program supplies, the gala event where VPL celebrates the work of the campers, as well as the printing of the 2023 anthology.

Sponsored Projects

• Writer in Residence — 2022 Residency: The VPL Writer in Residence program promotes Canadian writing and literature to Vancouver citizens. During the four-month residency, the writer spends 50% of their time working on their own project and 50% of their time mentoring emerging writers, conducting workshops, and participating in other activities and programs to share their experience with the community.
• Teen Challenge: A sustainability-themed rooftop summer kick-off event at the Central Library, including creative art, writing, social connection opportunities, and library tours. It will include honoraria for 2 summer art and writing workshops led by industry professionals (including Encanto animator Benson Shum and best-selling author of Saints and Misfits S.K. Ali). A meditative botanical embroidery workshop exploring how teen wellness and mental health are supported by creativity and nature. It will also cover snacks and prizes for an Outdoor Bike Maintenance 101 event featuring VPL’s new BiblioBike, in support of climate justice and sustainable travel across Vancouver’s communities and VPL branches.
• IBPOC Scholarships for Book Camp: This funding would cover 8 bursaries including lunch and transit passes for students who would otherwise not be able to attend Book Camp for financial reasons. Half of these bursaries would be dedicated to Indigenous youth. Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need, with priority to students who experience barriers to accessing public programs, such as racism, ability, gender, or other intersecting identities.
• Support for Book Camp: This donation will cover core program expenses such as staffing, program supplies, the gala event where VPL celebrates the work of the campers, as well as the printing of the 2022 anthology.

Sponsored Projects

• Writer in Residence — 2021 Residency: The program provides a selected writer with a paid, full-time, sixteen-week residency. The author spends part of their time working on a personal writing project and part of their time sharing their expertise through workshops, one-to-one mentoring of aspiring writers, and creating memorable public events.

The 2020 allocation of funds focused on programs supporting VPL’s digital outreach efforts in the midst of the unexpected and unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

Sponsored Projects

• Writer in Residence — 2020 Residency: The program provides a selected writer with a paid, full-time, sixteen-week residency. The author spends 40% of their time working on a personal writing project and 60% of their time sharing their expertise through workshops, one-to-one mentoring of aspiring writers, and creating memorable public events.

Sponsored Projects

• Writer in Residence — 2019 Residency: The Writer in Residence program, now entering its 15th year, is one of VPL’s most successful ventures. The program provides a selected writer with a paid, full-time, sixteen-week residency. The author spends 40% of their time working on a personal writing project and 60% of their time sharing their expertise through workshops, one-to-one mentoring of aspiring writers, and creating memorable public events. This year’s residency will feature an established a Canadian screenwriter.
• Exhibition Event Opening Support: There are 2 exhibitions planned in the new spaces on levels 8 and 9, one in the exhibit space on level 8 and the other in the Samuel and Frances Belzberg Family Exhibit Space on level 9. These exhibits will be a draw and encourage customers to explore the spaces on levels 8 and 9. We are asking for support in creating a welcoming and interactive opening event for each exhibit. The funds will go to support the costs associated with staff planning time and refreshments. The goal is to have library customers interact with the exhibit and exhibition curators.
• Electric Charging Solutions for Patrons: Access to charging options has become increasingly important for library users. Research conducted in Vancouver has found that mobile devices are now an often crucial day-to-day survival tools for homeless and low-income community members. Branches have found demand for access to charging increasing significantly in recent years, to the point where it is becoming unsustainable with the branches’ current equipment or is requiring branches to develop workarounds. This funding can support enabling pilots and then support staged implementation across the system, depending on the level, with support from other funding to fill gaps.
• Storytime Kit Refresh: VPL’s Storytime Kits are themed sets that each include engaging books, puppets, toys, a CD, and a printed list of related rhymes and songs. These kits can only be borrowed by holders of Child Care library cards and are specifically designed to support Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and other adults working with young children at daycares, preschools, Strong Start Centres, family child cares, and other child care sites. 
  
• ink Magazine: VPL’s teen journal for writing and visual art, ink, provides a platform for the youth voice in Vancouver as well as fostering connections and sharing ideas and stories across the city. ink is an opportunity for VPL to not only showcase local content but also to give teens the confidence they need to pursue their literary and creative endeavors. Ink is an inclusive initiative and is open to submission from all teens. VPL Teen Services Librarians do community outreach in order to facilitate access for underserved youth populations and capture a range of diverse voices and perspectives.
• Writing and Book Camp: The Writing & Book Camp has been an annual event at VPL since 2000, attracting over 100 campers from ages 11 through 16 each year. It is a week-long event packed with writing workshops, presentations and creative activities. Local writers, illustrators, and publishers are invited to be workshop experts, keynote speakers, and writing mentors. There are workshops and different keynote speakers each day. At the end of the camp, each participant will have created work for inclusion in an anthology that is published and distributed by the library.
• Team Summer Challenge: Teen Summer Challenge is an 8-week programming series built around a passport that features reading challenges and a schedule of programs during July and August. Teens can earn stamps for their participation and at the end of the summer, they can stop by a branch to have their number of stamps recorded and enter a prize draw. Teen Services developed the Teen Summer Challenge initiative in order to provide opportunities for teens to participate in fun, recreational summer programs and to connect with other teens around shared interests.
• Food for Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre Networking Events: The Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre develops and hosts networking events at Central Library to connect newcomers with professional contacts, including a women in STEM event in May 2019. Providing food and beverages create a comfortable social atmosphere. This contributes to the success of these events and elevates the Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre’s stature among the participating newcomers and partner organizations.
• Expanded Range of Equipment and Programming:  This grant would boost the creation equipment available in the Vancouver Public Library’s Inspiration Lab and complement the existing equipment. The addition of this equipment would support the expanded use of graphics and image software, the ability to conveniently digitize in the Lab and allow for more complex audio recording. This new equipment would also allow for the development of new Inspiration Lab programs and workshops. This grant would fund the purchase of: MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) keyboards, monitors, back-up audio recording interfaces, drawing and graphics tablets, and portable light boxes.
• Revitalization of Meeting Room AV System: This project includes updating the Mount Pleasant meeting room AV system to provide better opportunities to our public, to increase the security of our equipment, to reduce staff time and to support a much-loved community experience.

Sponsored Projects

• Writer in Residence — 2018 Residency: The Writer in Residence program, now entering its 14th year, has been one of VPL’s most successful ventures. The program provides a selected author with a paid, full-time, sixteen-week residency. The author spends 40% of their time working on a personal writing project and 60% of their time sharing their expertise through workshops, one-to-one mentoring of aspiring writers and creating memorable public events.
• Teen Space Redesign: Changes to the location of the Britannia Secondary and Elementary School’s library collection as well as a new service desk created a natural opportunity to reconfigure the branch to include a teen space. This space will appeal to Britannia Secondary School students who come from the Grandview-Woodland and DTES neighbourhoods.
• Children’s Felt Collection Update: The funding will support the purchase of indigenous felt stories aimed at babies and toddlers. This will be distributed system-wide. Although the VPL has many board books by Indigenous authors and illustrators, they are often too small to successfully read aloud with large storytime groups. Having indigenous felt stories will support the VPL’s goals to provide inclusive storytimes for all their patrons.
• ink Teen Journal: ink is the VPL’s new writing and visual art teen journal for writing and visual art. This magazine will offer teens a platform to share their stories across the city and around the world. ink is an opportunity for the VPL to not only showcase local content but also to give teens the confidence they need to pursue their literary and creative endeavors.
• 2018 Writing & Book Camp: The Writing & Book Camp has been an annual event at the VPL since 2000, attracting over 100 campers from ages 11 through 16 each year. It is a week-long event packed with writing workshops, presentations and creative activities. Local writers, illustrators and publishers are invited to be workshop experts, keynote speakers, and writing mentors. At the end of the camp, each participant will have created work for inclusion in an anthology which is published and distributed by the library.
  
• Digital Literacy Materials: The VPL will use this funding to improve their digital programs with the addition of new programming software and hardware.  The VPL is committed to offering a range of programs, resources and lifelong learning opportunities so that young Vancouverites can build the new skills and literacies they need to succeed in the 21st century.
• Funding for 5 New Language Fun Storytime Kits: Language Fun Storytime is a collaboration between Vancouver Public library and Vancouver Coastal Health’s speech pathology department. The program matches a children’s librarian with a speech-language pathologist to deliver a special program to children who are speech delayed and their families.
  
• Block Flooring for Storytime: This will fund 20 sets of non-toxic foam blocks in order to provide a welcoming, safe, clean, and comfortable area in which children and their caregivers can participate in library programs and connect with other families. Having foam block flooring will give patrons an more comfortable, safe and hygienic user experience.
• Improved Film Making and Equipment Programming: Funds will be used to increase the film-making equipment available in the VPL’s Inspiration Lab and complement the existing equipment. The addition of a new green screen, an upgraded lighting kit and mobile recording equipment would support the completion of more complex film projects in the lab by patrons. This new equipment would also allow for the development of new Inspiration Lab programs and workshops.
• Book and Toy Storage Unit: This project would provide a wheeled storage unit to house board books and play items for young children, including building blocks, interactive games, puzzles, and puppets. During storytimes and other programs, it can be closed, minimizing distractions and creating a more inclusive space for children who struggle with sensory and anxiety issues. At other times, the unit could be rolled out into the central area of the children’s section, providing a focal area for play, away from the collection.
• Branch History Artwork: This funding will support additional artwork, posters and wall decals to brighten up the branch and create a more welcoming ambiance for users.
• Digital Creation Programming in the Bud Osborn Creation Space: This funding will support hands-on workshops to be held in the Bud Osborn Creation Space. It will also enable Inspiration Lab staff from Central Library to train branch staff and develop a greater capacity at this branch to offer similar public programs more regularly.
• “First Nations 101″ Program: To continue to act on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, this funding will support programming introducing the community to Reconciliation and similar themes. Library staff would prepare a series of programs to deliver across multiple branch locations.

In 2013, Friends of the VPL donated a total of $32,688 to support programming, book clubs and technology needs, laptops and space enhancements.

In 2012, Friends of the VPL donated a total of $47,305.26 to support programming, book clubs and technology needs, laptops and space enhancements.