The new Cumberland library will officially open this Saturday.
The community is being welcomed to celebrate the new 3,200-square-foot library at 2746 Dunsmuir Ave. at 1 p.m. The official opening event will include fun-filled kid’s activities and entertainment by Captain Thunderpants, as well as cake and refreshments and prize draws for kids and adults.
“The new Cumberland Library is beautiful. At almost three times the size of the previous library, with modern architecture and design, the Library is now a purpose-built, community gathering space. We’re very excited to open the branch to the community, who have been extremely supportive of its opening,” says Bruce Jolliffe, chair of the Vancouver Island Regional Library board of trustees.
The new library offers the following new services and amenities:
• A warm and inviting interior;
• Open spaces and greater area for reading;
• Comfortable lounge seating and a fireplace;
• A children’s area;
• Free Wi-Fi access and computer stations;
• A comprehensive collection of new books, DVDs and CDs and magazines;
• Greater staff hours for improved service and programs.
“We’re excited to welcome guests to the new Library,” says Rosemary Bonanno, executive director of Vancouver Island Regional Library. “As well as offering access to over 12,000 books, ebooks, DVDs and magazines, the new Cumberland Library is designed to host the public in a new way.
"As modern libraries continue to promote literacy and universal access to knowledge, they are also ‘living rooms’ to the communities they serve.”
The Vancouver Island Regional Library is also giving away prizes to the first 10 new library card memberships on the official opening day.
The new library will be open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
VIRL is the fourth-largest library system in British Columbia. It serves more than 430,000 people on Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and Bella Coola on the Central Coast through 38 branch libraries, a virtual branch, and a books-by-mail service.
VIRL’s holdings number one million and include books, magazines, CDs and DVDs. Administrative offices are in Nanaimo.
— Vancouver Island Regional Library