@ the Library

Join local experts to learn about marine life on the BC coast!

Meet the Locals – Whales of British Columbia
Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00pm
Join Aaron Purdy from Ocean Wise to learn all about the whales in our waters! Registration required. Learn more.

The Return of the Sea Otter
Wednesday, July 20 at 7:00pm
Sydney Dixon, marine biologist with Pacific Wild, will join us to describe the amazing story of how sea otter populations are recovering and thriving on the coast of BC. Registration required. Learn more.

Killer Whales of BC
Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00pm
Join Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard to hear all about the different groups of killer whales that inhabit the waters off the BC coast. Registration required. Learn more.

North Shore Betty: Film Screening and Q+A
Lynn Valley Library
Thursday, July 7 at 7:00pm
Registration required. Learn more

Have you heard of "North Shore Betty"?

Betty Birrell has been chasing thrills since the 1970s and was one of the first women to conquer the just-built trails that redefined what mountain biking could be. Join us to view the Patagonia short film “North Shore Betty”, about the 73-year-old mountain biking champion and one of the original trailblazers of the world-famous North Shore trails.

 Following the 12-minute film will be a Q&A with Betty herself, to talk about what it’s like to be a in your 70s, shredding on the North Shore, and inspiring new generations of athletes.

TEENS! Need some mental health support or just someone to talk to?

Drop in to chat with our Youth Outreach from North Shore Neighborhood House, who can offer friendly support and mental health resources. This drop-in event takes place in the teen area of the Lynn Valley library on Wednesdays from June 29 to July 20 and is for anyone grades 6-12. Learn more.

On July 9, join us for an interactive, musical puppet show about our little neighbours-Pacific Herring!

Become the "herring school" and go on a journey out to sea, then play "musical fish" to learn about the importance of Pacific Herring in the ocean food web. Participants will learn about the importance of Provincial Marine Parks and Protected Areas for Sponge Glass Reef protection, wildlife habitat and conservation. Learn more.

• Reading Indigenous History: Book Discussion of My Conversations with Canadians by Lee Maracle
  Saturday, June 25 at 2:00pm
  In her book, Maracle invites us to engage with Indigenous History and how it intersects with Canadian History, and how those histories effect our present and our future. We invite you to read this book and come together to discuss it with other community members and one of our librarians. Registration required. Learn more.
• North Shore Reads 2022 Book Discussion: Care Of by Ivan Coyote
  Thursday, July 7 at 10:00am
  The 2022 North Shore Reads selection is Care Of by Ivan Coyote. Join our librarians in person at Capilano branch or over Zoom to discuss this timely and moving book. Registration required. Learn more.
• Afternoon Tea Book Club: The Plot    
  Thursday, July 14 at 1:30pm
  Settle in with a cuppa home brew and chat with other book folk! This month, we're reading The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. No registration required. Learn more.
• Cooking the Books: Parkgate Library Cookbook Club 
  Thursday, July 28 at 2:30pm
  Get together in-person with fellow food enthusiasts and put a cookbook to the test! This month’s pick: Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes and Stories by Nigella Lawson; Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 recipes to live to 100 by Dan Buettner or choose a cookbook from your own collection. We will meet at Parkgate Library in the Enid Dearing Room. Registration required. Learn more.

• North Shore Betty: Film Screening and Q&A
  Thursday, July 7 at 6:30pm
  Come to meet a local legend! We will be screening the Patagonia short film “North Shore Betty” about the 73-year-old mountain biking champion and one of the original trailblazers of the world-famous North Shore trails. Registration required. Learn more.

• Summer Reading Club
  June 13–September 18
  Let's read great books all summer long with the Summer Reading Club! This year's theme is "All Together Now." To get started, pick up your Summer Reading Package at any NVDPL. Learn more.
• Trail Tales in the Park
  Join us for an outdoor reading adventure in partnership with North Shore Community Resources! No registration required.
  • Viewlynn Park, 2555 Viewlynn Drive 
    Mondays: July 11–August 15 at 10:30am. Learn more.
  • Eldon Park, 4010 Ruby Avenue 
    Wednesdays: July 13–August 17 at 10:30am. Learn more.
  • Parkgate Park, 1300 Parkgate Avenue 
    Fridays: July 15–August 19 at 10:30am. Learn more.
• Storytimes
  Storytimes support & develop early literacy through singing, talking, reading, & playing. No registration required.
  • Lynn Valley Library
    Babytime | Thursdays: July 7-28 at 10:30am. Learn more.
    Storytime | Tuesdays: July 5-26 at 10:30am. Learn more.
  • Parkgate Library
    Babytime | Tuesdays: July 5-26 at 10:30am. Learn more.
    Storytime | Thursdays: July 7-28 at 10:30am. Learn more.
  • Capilano Library
    Babytime | Wednesdays: July 20-August 17 at 1:30pm. Learn more.
    Storytime | Fridays: July 22-August 12 at 10:30am. Learn more.
• Coding Camp for Kids
  Develop your coding skills with these volunteer-run coding camps on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays! Registration required.
  • Python 100 | July 5–July 14 at 11:00am. Learn more. 
  • Python 200 | July 19–July 28 at 11:00am. Learn more.
  • Scratch 100 | July 5–July 14 at 11:00am. Learn more. 
  • Scratch 200 | July 19–July 28 at 11:00am. Learn more.
• Virtual Book Buddies
  Tuesdays: July 5, 12, 19 & 26 at 2:00pm (session A) & 2:45pm (session B) 
  Book buddies is a six-week program that pairs developing readers with teen volunteers to practice reading together and play literacy games. Registration required. Learn more.
• Drag Queen Storytime
  Friday, July 8 at 4:30pm 
  Join us for a special storytime led by an amazing Drag Queen who will help us celebrate self-love and diversity! Registration required. Learn more.
• Library Chill Time: Indoor Family Fun Time
  Saturdays: July 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 10:30am 
  Beat the heat and enjoy some literacy-based play in the program room at Lynn Valley Library! No registration required. Learn more.
• ‘The Story of Herring’ Puppet Show
  Saturday, July 9 at 11:00am 
  Join us for an interactive, musical puppet show about our little neighbours-Pacific Herring! Registration required. Learn more.
• Here Comes the Fire Truck: Fire Fighter Storytime and Truck Visit
  Tuesday, July 12 at 1:30pm 
  Truck on down to the library for a special storytime with Fire Captain Conrad Breakey from the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. Then take a tour of a real fire truck and a North Shore Rescue vehicle. Registration required. Learn more.
• Dad & Me Babytime
  Sundays: July 17–August 14 at 1:30pm 
  For Dads, Grandpas, and all male-identifying caregivers! Come meet other caregivers and learn songs and rhymes to sing to your baby. Registration required. Learn more.
• Paws 4 Stories @ Lynn Valley
  Wednesdays: July 20 & 27, August 3, 10, 17 & 24 at 6:30pm 
  Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children. Registration required. Learn more.
• Family Funtime with NSCR
  Fridays: July 22 & August 26 at 10:30am 
  Come to Capilano Library for some self-guided, free play in the program room with toys and resources from the North Shore Community Resource Centre! No registration required. Learn more.
• SRC Illustrator Visit: Elaine Chen
  Wednesday, July 27 at 4:30pm 
  Meet the 2022 Summer Reading Club illustrator! Elaine Chen is a Vancouver-based painter, illustrator, and video game artist. Registration required. Learn more.

• Teen Summer Reading Club
  June 13–September 18
  This summer you can travel the world, jump through time, and escape into a good book! Complete as many challenges as you can and win prizes as you go. Learn more.
• Teen Writing Contest
  June 13–September 5
  Calling all young authors! We’re looking for teen writers to wow us with stories of traveling across continents, time, space, or dimensions. Submit a tale of your choosing and you could win a gift card and have your piece of writing added to the library’s permanent collection! Learn more.
• SAVE THE DATE: August Teen Summer Book Box Registration
  Monday, July 11 at 10:00am
  Would you like your own personally curated subscription box from the library? Each box has 5 library books selected by a library professional, snacks, a craft, an Advanced Reader Copy book, and other swag! Registration for August Book Boxes opens July 11. Registration required. Learn more.
• Teen Resume Workshops
  Tuesday, June 28 at 3:30pm
  Getting ready to apply for a summer job? Come to our resume workshops to learn how to make a resume, how to write a cover letter, and how to get references. Registration required. Learn more.
• Zine-Making Workshop with Artist Kathleen Gros
  Tuesday, June 28 at 5:00pm
  Combine your love of comics, crafting, and community organizing and join Vancouver artist Kathleen Gros to learn how to make zines! Registration required. Learn more.
• Tea with a Youth Outreach Worker
  Wednesdays: June 29, July 6, 13 & 20 at 3:30pm
  Drop in to chat with our Youth Outreach from North Shore Neighborhood House, who can offer friendly support and mental health resources. No registration required. Learn more.

• English Conversation Corner
  Practice your English language skills online via Zoom in a fun group of other new speakers. Meet new people, learn English, and have fun! 
  • Capilano Library | Mondays at 1:00pm
    Registration required. Learn more
  • Lynn Valley Library | Tuesdays at 3:00pm (ends July 12)
    No registration required. Learn more.
  • Parkgate Library | Thursdays at 6:30pm
    No registration required. Learn more.
• Parkgate Discussion Lounge
  Wednesdays at 2:30pm
  Have you read, watched, listened to or thought about anything recently that inspires you enough to share and discuss with others? Registration required. Learn more.
• Pins and Needles
  Wednesdays at 6:30pm
  Looking for company while your hands are busy with yarn or textiles? Gather at the Parkgate Branch for a friendly evening of knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlepoint, felting, tatting, embroidery, hand quilting or other fiber arts. Registration required. Learn more.
• MOOC: Contemporary Issues in World Politics
  Tuesdays: April 19-June 28 at 2:00pm
  This course reviews the driving forces of International Politics. It first describes the post-World War II international order before moving on to look at its breakdown and resultant transformation. Registration required. Learn more. 
• Movies @ Capilano
  Movies are back at Capilano Library! Registration required. Here's what's coming up:   
  • Death on the Nile | Sunday, June 26 at 2:00pm. Learn more.
  • Portrait of a Lady on Fire | Tuesday, July 12 at 6:00pm. Learn more.
  • Just Mercy | Sunday, July 24 at 2:00pm. Learn more.
• Thinking Matters with SFU Philosopher's Café host Reema Faris
  Monday, June 27 at 7:00pm
  Put your philosopher's hat on and head into a Zoom call to discuss relevant social issues! Come join our regular SFU Philosophers' Café host Reema Faris for a discussion on topical social issues. No registration required. Learn more. 
• Zine-Making Workshop with Artist Kathleen Gros
  Tuesday, June 28 at 5:00pm
  Combine your love of comics, crafting, and community organizing and join Vancouver artist Kathleen Gros to learn how to make zines! Registration required. Learn more.
• Life on the Coast: Meet the Locals – Whales of British Columbia
  Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00pm
  Join Aaron Purdy from Ocean Wise to learn all about the whales in our waters! Registration required. Learn more.
• Parkgate’s Thursday Night at the Movies
  Join us at Parkgate Library for our Thursday Night at the Movies series! Registration required. Here's what's coming up:
  • All the Time in the World: Disconnecting to Reconnect | Thursday, June 30 at 6:00pm. Learn more.
  • Free Guy | Thursday, July 7 at 6:00pm. Learn more.
  • The Truffle Hunters | Thursday, July 14 at 6:00pm. Learn more.
  • Dog | Thursday, July 21 at 6:00pm. Learn more.
  • Percy | Thursday, July 28 at 6:00pm. Learn more.
• Tech Tutors
  Thursdays: July 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 10:00am
  Tech tutors pairs people who would like to become more comfortable with everyday technology with teen volunteers who can help them get there. Sign up for a 30 minute one-on-one session with a teen volunteer at Parkgate Library. Registration required. Learn more.
• World Affairs Forum
  Thursday, July 7 at 7:00pm
  Join us for a wide-ranging, open discussion of current events throughout the world with host Michael Wood. No registration required. Learn more.
• Tech Café at Lynn Valley
  Thursdays: July 14, 21 & 28 at 10:30am
  This July, join NVDPL staff and a small group of other learners for personalized guidance and answers to all your technology questions at our Tech Café. Registration recommended. Learn more.
• Life on the Coast: The Return of the Sea Otter
  Wednesday, July 20 at 7:00pm
  Sydney Dixon, marine biologist with Pacific Wild, will join us to describe the amazing story of how sea otter populations are recovering and thriving on the coast of BC. Registration required. Learn more.
• NVDPL Writers' Group
  Alternate Tuesdays & Wednesdays: July 26–December 28 at 5:30pm
  This self-managed writers' group is an opportunity to receive feedback on your writing in progress. Registration required. Learn more.
• Hidden Histories: The Local Impact of Slavery on Contemporary Society
  Wednesday, July 27 at 7:00pm
  In February 2022, a North Shore News article titled “North Vancouver built on profits from the slave trade, founding family says” told the story of how “early settlement of the North Shore, its continued development, and the formation of the City of North Vancouver as we know it today all flow from a family fortune amassed in the transatlantic slave trade.” In this session, Dr. June Francis will discuss how institutions and corporations continue to benefit from the role they played in the slave trade. Registration required. Learn more.
• Life on the Coast: Killer Whales of BC
  Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00pm
  Join Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard to hear all about the different groups of killer whales that inhabit the waters off the BC coast. Registration required. Learn more.