How your gift can help

Vancouver Public Library’s core services – staffing, collections, equipment and buildings – are covered by government funding. But tax dollars alone are not enough to provide the kind of library our community deserves, now and for the future.

What our basic operating budget can't cover are those programs, resources, and activities that reach some of the neediest and most marginalized people in our community.

Children

Programs like the pre-school literacy program Mother Goose, which is run out of East Vancouver community centres and libraries providing critical early childhood literacy support to children whose parents may themselves have low literacy skills.

The reality is that more than 40% of Canadian adults have difficulty with reading, writing and using numbers. Parents who have low literacy skills may not be able to provide the kind of support that is crucial in getting kids to read during the first few critical years of a child’s life.

Downtown Eastside

Programs like a writing workshop for the residents of the Downtown Eastside that the Carnegie Community Centre hosted in 2003 that we helped support. We hope to be able to support other programs like Job and Career Search programs, Health Information courses, and Computer Basics courses delivered in the Downtown Eastside.

Talking Books

Resources like providing funding for Talking Books (books on tape) for those people in our community with visual disabilities. Statistics show that 10% or 3 million Canadians need an alternative to the traditional “print” format. Talking Books are a lifeline to patrons with visual disabilities and homebound patrons who may no longer be able to physically handle turning the pages of a regular book.

Who are the Friends?

Friends of the Vancouver Public Library is an association of community members who value our library and demonstrate support through membership and volunteer participation. Their goals are to raise funds for specific library collections and limited special projects, build membership, advocate for the library, and promote and assist with library programs. To find out more about the Friends of Vancouver Public Library, call 604-331-4049, or email friends@friendsofthevpl.ca.

Use your Imagination!

There is a never-ending need for library and literacy services. The Foundation’s sole purpose is to raise funds for the Library so that it can continue to provide the highest level of public service possible and help our community reach its potential.