Each year VPL staff submit projects for funding. The Friends Board reviews the requests and makes recommendations to all Friends members. These recommendations are voted on at the annual general meeting. In 2019, the following funding was approved by the membership and a description of each project can be found below the table.
Allocation of Funds for 2019:
| Branch/Department | Title | Funds |
| Branches and Central Library | Electric Charging Solutions for Patrons | $5,400 |
| Children and Teen Services | Storytime Kit Refresh | $3,500 |
| Children and Teen Services | ink Magazine | $3,500 |
| Children and Teen Services | Writing & Book Camp | $8,000 |
| Children and Teen Services | Teen Summer Challenge | $1,600 |
| Information Services | Food for Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre Networking Events | $2,000 |
| Inspiration Lab | Expanded Range of Equipment and Programming | $4,000 |
| Mount Pleasant | Revitalization of Meeting Room AV System | $6,000 |
| Programming and Learning | Writer in Residence – 2019 Residency | $21,000 |
| Programming and Learning | Exhibition Event Opening Support | $5,000 |
| TOTAL | $60,000 | |
Descriptions of the sponsored projects:
- Branches and Central Library – 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. - Children and Teen Services – 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.
- Children and Teen Services – 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. - Children and Teen Services – 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. - Children and Teen Services – 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. - Information Services – 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. - Inspiration Lab – 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) Keyboard, Monitors, Backup Audio Recording Interface
- Drawing and Graphics Tablet and Portable Light Box
- Mount Pleasant Branch – 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. - Programming and Learning – 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. - Programming and Learning – 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.