Books Plus runs in The Tri-City News each Friday to highlight programs and happenings in the Tri-Cities' three libraries: Coquitlam Public Library, Port Moody Public Library and Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam.
COQUITLAM
CPL at farmers' markets: Look for Coquitlam librarians every Friday through Aug. 17 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Coquitlam Farmers Market in Spirit Square. Join us for stories, songs, puppet shows and more. (Deborah Duncan, CPL's children's co-ordinator, has been recognized as Share's practice partner of the year.)
Play and Learn Events at Coquitlam Centre: Join librarians at Coquitlam Centre mall the last Wednesday of each month, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., for Play and Learn storytimes, songs and crafts on the lower level in front of the Bay. Upcoming theme: Aug. 29 - back to school. No registration is required for these free programs, just drop-in.
Book clubs: Do you enjoy reading and talking about books? CPL hosts two Monday book clubs where members meet once a month to discuss a book chosen at the previous meeting. New members are always welcome; to register for the evening club, call Jason at 604-937-4148, Ext. 238; to register for the afternoon club, call Janice at 604-937-4140. Or, just drop-in to either.
The Monday Afternoon Book Club meets from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the program room of the City Centre branch. The Monday Evening Book Club meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the board room of the Poirier branch.
On Aug. 6, the afternoon club will discuss Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, which weaves together the life story of two schoolmates, one Chinese and the other Japanese, who experience the uprooting and aftermath of Japanese-Americans living in Seattle during the Second World War. This novel is winner of the 2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.
The same day, the evening club will discuss Irma Voth by Miriam Toews, a dark coming-of-age story about a young Mennonite woman, vulnerable yet wise beyond her years, who carries a terrible family secret.
The library also has several book club titles that are available for loan to community book clubs. To reserve a title, call or email Kathy or Lynn at 604-937-4140.
For more information about any of these programs, visit www.library.coquitlam.bc.ca. The City Centre branch is located at 3000 Burlington Dr. and the Poirier branch at 575 Poirier St.
TERRY FOX
Experiment with science: What happens when you mix cream with sugar, ice and a bit of salt? Ice cream! Kids nine to 12 years of age can experiment with science as TFL investigates the properties of matter with tasty results. Mark your calendar for next Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2 to 3 p.m. You can register at the Fox information desk.
As well, TFL librarians can help kids find strange and wondrous books with experiments and fun summer crafts and games when they join the Summer Reading Club. Members receive a free reading record and bookmark, and there are free programs, contests and displays all summer. Kids who complete their reading record will be eligible to receive a special Summer Reading Club medal. And club members can get free tickets for Mad Science, stories on wheels and lively musical fun.
For more information, visit www.fvrl.bc.ca or the Fraser Valley Regional Library Facebook page. Terry Fox Library is located 2470 Mary Hill Rd. in PoCo. Phone 604-927-7999.
PORT MOODY
Inlet Book Club: The only thing better than reading a book is talking about books with friends. The Inlet Book Club is a literary book discussion group - new members are welcome - that meets the first Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is Aug. 1 in PMPL's ParkLane Room from 1 to 3 p.m. The group will discuss The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay. Author of the bestseller The Birth House, McKay this time tells the story of Moth, a young girl growing up in the slums of Manhattan during the 1870s. Beautifully written, this moving novel draws the reader into the Moth's unrealistic daydreams as she wanders the nicer neighbourhoods imagining a better life had she only been born there instead of the NYC tenements.
Golf for a cause: On Aug. 27, you can enjoy a day on the greens while making your community a better place. PMPL's Links to Literacy Golf Tournament funds special projects that support literacy for all ages. Join community members and local businesses for 18 holes of golf, prizes, contests, a silent auction and a banquet dinner at Meadow Gardens Golf Club in Pitt Meadows. For more information, call 604-469-4686 or email [email protected].
Baby Sing and Learn: This is a drop-in, interactive program of songs, rhymes and books that's appropriate for parents/caregivers and their babies, from newborns to 18 months. It encourages bonding and promotes early speech and language development. The program will be held outside (or inside due to poor weather) every Monday until Aug. 20 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
For more information, visit library.portmoody.ca or call 604-469-4577. Port Moody Public Library is located at 100 Newport Dr., in the city hall complex.
