Raising cash for family-friendly technology is this year’s goal for the Friends of the Coquitlam Public Library who, next Friday, will host their annual trivia night.
The Friends hope to meet or beat last year’s fundraiser total of $2,500 to pay for new gear such as telescopes and other items on the administration’s wish list.
Emceed by Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, the event at the City Centre branch on April 12 will see 13 teams of eight battling for bragging rights and awards.
And for those who want a hint of what the mayor will pose, Friends president Asrar Ahmed-Flores — who designed the questions with CPL’s deputy and technologies director Silvana Harwood, Friends vice-president Ann Carlsen and Friends member Bertha Rojas — offers only the seven categories for potential participants:
• pirates (the fundraiser theme);
• history and geography;
• entertainment;
• Canadiana;
• current events;
• literature;
• and potpourri.
“We didn’t make all the questions too hard,” Ahmed-Flores told The Tri-City News at the branch Monday. “We don’t want to discourage people so they don’t come back.”
Indeed, many participants are repeat customers who love the thrill of the competition and the test of their knowledge, said CPL trustee Matt Djonic.
For the 16th annual trivia night, the tables will be set up in the lobby and a projection screen will show the team points after each category sheet is judged by Harwood and Todd Gnissios, CPL’s executive director.
But the quiz isn’t the only entertainment happening that night.
Guests can also bid on silent auction items — a hockey stick signed by an NHL player, a Gabi & Jules gift basket, a wine basket and gift cards donated by Tri-City businesses — and play a 50-50 draw, or a raffle for a chance to win a tablet donated by trustees.
The Coquitlam Kinsmen will host a cash bar while door prizes will be divvied out during the night.
As well, accolades will be presented for best pirate costumes and for the team that provides the funniest answer during the trivia test.
The Friends are a vital link to CPL’s success.
Over the past 16 years, they’ve collected thousands of dollars for the two branches through their annual trivia night, book sales and other events; in February, the volunteers brought in $1,600 in a shred-a-thon.
Their fundraising has gone toward STEM programming for children, the Library Link, summer reading club materials and ESL learning tools for new Canadians, for example.
• Tickets for the Friends of CPL trivia night cost $25 and include coffee and dessert. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the contest starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 12. Individual players and couples will be partnered with a team. Tickets are available at both CPL branches; a limited supply will be at the door on trivia night. To reserve a ticket in advance, call 604-937-4130 or email friendsofcpl@library.coquitlam.bc.ca.
BE A FRIEND
The Friends of the Coquitlam Public Library meet on the 3rd Saturday of every month (except July, August and December) at 10:15 am at the City Centre branch (1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Email friendsofcpl@coqlibrary.ca for details.
