Community Articles (listed by posting date)
General News · 28th February 2026
Beatrix - VIRL
Spring Break 2026: Tweets and Tunes
What is a syrinx? What kinds of snacks do birds like to eat? This year’s Spring Break program invites kids to learn about birds, go on walks, and explore how nature and sound inspire one another. Come by the branch to pick up your kit. Fill it out and return it by April 2 for your chance to win a set of binoculars! Learn more about Tweets and Tunes.
Speaker Series on at the library—
TRC57 Speaker Series Monthly on zoom, ongoing through October 12 – 1 pm Free
It’s time for another season of the TRC57 Speaker Series — a free, virtual public education experience exploring how reconciliation is practiced through learning, responsibility, and relationship with the Land and one another. This season brings together authors from the anthology Resurgence and Reconciliation: Indigenous–Settler Relations and Earth Teachings.
Register for the series and learn more about the book.
Virtual Gardening Series Mondays on zoom, ongoing throughout the year 6:30 – 8 pm Free
Tap into the tremendous knowledge of the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association. Register early to secure your spot! If you can’t attend a session, don’t worry. They are recorded so you can catch up on any you’ve missed or rewatch your favourites.
Register for the next session: March 2 – Propagation.
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Submit your work!
Island Short Fiction Review Literary Contest, all ages, deadline March 8
Kid’s Write for Kids Writing Contest for grade 4-8, deadline March 31
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Did you know?
Our magazines (including current issues) can be borrowed for 3 weeks. Catch up on Harpers, The Atlantic, Geist, Resurgence & Ecologist, and more! Is there a magazine that you love that we don’t carry? Send us a recommendation and we might be able to get it in.
You can freeze your holds. If you’re going on a trip or just feeling overwhelmed by your current reading stack, you can log into your account, go to your holds, choose modify holds – freeze. It will save your place in line so when you’re ready to reactivate the hold, you won’t have to start at the bottom of the waitlist.
Suggest An Item: Do you ever feel sad because a book or DVD you really wanted isn’t in the catalogue? You can use Suggest An Item to let VIRL know. Each library customer is allowed to make up to 10 suggestions a month. If your item is added to the collection, you will be put at the top of the hold list to be the first customer to borrow the item. Read the guidelines for suggesting an item.
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Come for a visit! The Cortes branch is on the bottom floor of Linnaea Farm’s Education Building (1255 Seaford Rd). We have free wifi, two public computers, and black and white printing for $0.25/page.
Open: Tues, Friday, Sat: 10 am – 2:30 pm Wed-Thurs: 2:30 pm – 7 pm
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, statutory holidays, and occasionally due to weather/power outages.
ci1virl.bc.ca
250-935-6566
What is a syrinx? What kinds of snacks do birds like to eat? This year’s Spring Break program invites kids to learn about birds, go on walks, and explore how nature and sound inspire one another. Come by the branch to pick up your kit. Fill it out and return it by April 2 for your chance to win a set of binoculars! Learn more about Tweets and Tunes.
Speaker Series on at the library—
TRC57 Speaker Series Monthly on zoom, ongoing through October 12 – 1 pm Free
It’s time for another season of the TRC57 Speaker Series — a free, virtual public education experience exploring how reconciliation is practiced through learning, responsibility, and relationship with the Land and one another. This season brings together authors from the anthology Resurgence and Reconciliation: Indigenous–Settler Relations and Earth Teachings.
Register for the series and learn more about the book.
Virtual Gardening Series Mondays on zoom, ongoing throughout the year 6:30 – 8 pm Free
Tap into the tremendous knowledge of the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association. Register early to secure your spot! If you can’t attend a session, don’t worry. They are recorded so you can catch up on any you’ve missed or rewatch your favourites.
Register for the next session: March 2 – Propagation.
—
Submit your work!
Island Short Fiction Review Literary Contest, all ages, deadline March 8
Kid’s Write for Kids Writing Contest for grade 4-8, deadline March 31
—
Did you know?
Our magazines (including current issues) can be borrowed for 3 weeks. Catch up on Harpers, The Atlantic, Geist, Resurgence & Ecologist, and more! Is there a magazine that you love that we don’t carry? Send us a recommendation and we might be able to get it in.
You can freeze your holds. If you’re going on a trip or just feeling overwhelmed by your current reading stack, you can log into your account, go to your holds, choose modify holds – freeze. It will save your place in line so when you’re ready to reactivate the hold, you won’t have to start at the bottom of the waitlist.
Suggest An Item: Do you ever feel sad because a book or DVD you really wanted isn’t in the catalogue? You can use Suggest An Item to let VIRL know. Each library customer is allowed to make up to 10 suggestions a month. If your item is added to the collection, you will be put at the top of the hold list to be the first customer to borrow the item. Read the guidelines for suggesting an item.
—
Come for a visit! The Cortes branch is on the bottom floor of Linnaea Farm’s Education Building (1255 Seaford Rd). We have free wifi, two public computers, and black and white printing for $0.25/page.
Open: Tues, Friday, Sat: 10 am – 2:30 pm Wed-Thurs: 2:30 pm – 7 pm
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, statutory holidays, and occasionally due to weather/power outages.
ci1virl.bc.ca
250-935-6566