Camping in June can be both a good thing and a bad thing. I had the good fortune to spend several days by the Fraser River with family from overseas and the Interior this past weekend, and we were able to spend a few days being tourists right here in Hope. Walking “up town” nearly every day, all were impressed by the beauty and friendliness of our little community. That’s the good thing. The bad thing is, as we know, the weather can be less than cooperative. But June is like that.
So now I’m back at the library and gearing up for summer. Because we’ll have summer programs whether or not the weather improves – maybe our move from winter hours to summer hours on June 24 (the library is closed on Sundays in July and August) will bring the sun and warm! Hope so.
The summer months tend to be busy at the library with the wide variety of reading clubs, people looking for a good beach read, information and/or a cool place to relax, coupled with tourists coming in to tap into our free wireless and to use the computers. Always something happening.
Planning a summer getaway? You can still enjoy your library while on vacation by visiting before you leave. Pick up a CD or MP3 book for listening while on the road or maybe a DVD for the kids. Oops, forgot to visit the library before heading out? You can always download an ebook or audiobook from B.C.’s Library To Go (accessible from our website). But if you like the feel of a “real” book, make sure your Fraser Valley Regional Library card is with you and some picture identification and you can borrow books from any library in the province through B.C.’s OneCard program. And you can return the items here – we will send them back. Free.
Libraries, library programs, and library services are always free (unless items are damaged or late, that is). Good news is gone are the days of Seinfeld’s Mr. Bookman. We want people to talk with us if they have outstanding charges that are preventing them from using the library. Because really, everyone should be able to use the library!
Coming up: Since June is senior’s month, we’re having an At Your Library program for seniors on June 29. Seniors are invited to drop by that Friday afternoon to learn more about the services we have to offer. Listen to some great music from the past and feel free to join in.
Deb Ireland is supervisor of the Hope branch of the Fraser Valley Regional Library. She can be reached at 604-869-2313 or direland@fvrl.bc.ca.