Exploring Our Universe: Going Virtual with the Greater Victoria Public Library and BC Summer Reading Club

Exploring Our Universe: Going Virtual with the Greater Victoria Public Library and BC Summer Reading Club is a poster in the 2020 PNLA Virtual Poster Session. We encourage you to engage in discussion by leaving a comment on the page. The author of the poster will respond to comments the week of August 4-7, 2020.

Presenters: Deborah van der Linde & Vruti Patel

Each year, the Greater Victoria Public Library participates in the BC Summer Reading Club (SRC) program. Due to the global pandemic, GVPL has shifted from the traditional paper format to an online platform. In so doing, we had to consider every aspect of SRC, from how to provide relevant and accessible programming, community outreach, community participation, to dealing with barriers created by technology for those who do not have access to it.

Accordingly, we are using a variety of strategies to reach out to our community, from promotion to delivery. Traditionally, librarians visit schools, reaching approximately 14,000 students. This year, we created a special promotional video to share with schools and PACs.

In order to create a sense of community in a virtual environment, we created weekly challenges, and are encouraging children to send us a picture of their challenge. We will then share the photos on our social media, highlighting our community.

We have established virtual programming with external organizations that would normally have presented in library. This year, kids will be able to join a live or pre-recorded presentation instead.

In order to reach those who do not have the necessary access to technology to participate, we have provided starter packages and take-home activities. Families were able to visit our branches as they re-open, and get their own BC SRC starter pack, which includes a reading log, stickers, temporary tattoos, and a bookmark.