Community Articles (listed by posting date)
General News · 6th May 2026
VIRL Cortes Library - Beatrix
Meet Beatrix
Hi! It has come to my attention that not everyone knows Jude retired from her position at the branch and that I stepped into her role. Allow me to say some words about myself so you know a bit about the new person behind the circulation desk :)
I have been living on the island since 2015. You may have previously encountered me working at the museum or at the café in years past. I enjoy discussing books (especially fiction, poetry, sci-fi, fantasy, and romantasy), films, philosophy, travel, and general life ruminations should you wish to share some stories with me. I love hunting for information and finding answers to your questions. I have been a “library kid” my whole life—I couldn’t imagine a better job in the world! It really warms my heart to see people of all ages making use of their library
Let me know if there’s ever anything I can do to make the branch more fun, accessible, functional, etc.
—
Learning a language? We can help!
Your VIRL card gives you access to Mango Languages, immersive courses in over 40 different languages. We also have many books and DVDs in different languages, for different levels of speakers. You can find them in our online catalogue using “advanced search” and choosing your target language in the drop-down menu labeled “language.”
At the Cortes branch, we are excited to have ?ag?t? hiyt t?ox??m / Herring to huckleberries, written in ?ayaju??m and translated by ošil ?(Betty Wilson)? from Tla’amin, and illustrated by Prashant Miranda. We also have a small section of Spanish and French books and are always happy to bring in more for local learners/readers. ?
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Monthly Tech Support with Matthew James, Community Support Technician
Do you have questions about our website or online resources? Having issues with your computer or mobile device? Matthew comes over from Quadra once a month to help with tech support.
Upcoming Dates:
Friday, May 8 / 1:30-2:30pm
Friday, June 5 / 1:30-2:30pm
Call or email to book an appointment.
—
VIRL Speaker Series’ (free & online)
Virtual Gardening Series
Tap into the tremendous knowledge of the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association. The Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association (VIMGA) is a chapter of the Master Gardeners Association, an international service society of specially trained volunteers who teach science-based sustainable gardening practices to home gardeners. 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 anything you’ve missed or rewatch your favourites.
Register for the next session: Crop Rotation – Monday, June 1, 6:30-8 pm.
TRC57 Conversations
Join us for the 2026 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. Essential learning for anyone serving the public, such as teachers, community organizers, workshop facilitators. This season features talks by the authors from the anthology Resurgence and Reconciliation: Indigenous–Settler Relations and Earth Teachings.
Register for the next session: Dr. Aaron Mills – Wednesday May 20, 12-1 pm.
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It’s Census Season! Deadline for submitting your form is May 12. If you’re one of the chosen ones and you need access to a computer, you can come by the library to use one of ours to fill out your form online. Good luck to all the long formers!
—
Did you know…
• You can host book clubs, workshops, and other free gatherings at the library! Send an email or call the branch and we can figure out the details.
• You can borrow STEAMA themed Tinker Totes for your kiddos. Similar to our literacy kits, you will get a backpack full of hands-on science and technology activities. Search for “tinker totes” in our online catalogue to see what’s available.
• Back in September, we switched to new hours. We are now open 5 days a week (instead of 4) including 2 evenings. We have bookmarks at the branch with our new hours (they can be hard to remember).
• Our adult sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and graphic fiction books are now on their own shelves in the same section as mystery and large print. Readers of these genres should have an easier time finding the books they love.
—
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. We also have a scanner, copier, and shredder that staff can assist you with.
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
Hi! It has come to my attention that not everyone knows Jude retired from her position at the branch and that I stepped into her role. Allow me to say some words about myself so you know a bit about the new person behind the circulation desk :)
I have been living on the island since 2015. You may have previously encountered me working at the museum or at the café in years past. I enjoy discussing books (especially fiction, poetry, sci-fi, fantasy, and romantasy), films, philosophy, travel, and general life ruminations should you wish to share some stories with me. I love hunting for information and finding answers to your questions. I have been a “library kid” my whole life—I couldn’t imagine a better job in the world! It really warms my heart to see people of all ages making use of their library
Let me know if there’s ever anything I can do to make the branch more fun, accessible, functional, etc.
—
Learning a language? We can help!
Your VIRL card gives you access to Mango Languages, immersive courses in over 40 different languages. We also have many books and DVDs in different languages, for different levels of speakers. You can find them in our online catalogue using “advanced search” and choosing your target language in the drop-down menu labeled “language.”
At the Cortes branch, we are excited to have ?ag?t? hiyt t?ox??m / Herring to huckleberries, written in ?ayaju??m and translated by ošil ?(Betty Wilson)? from Tla’amin, and illustrated by Prashant Miranda. We also have a small section of Spanish and French books and are always happy to bring in more for local learners/readers. ?
—
Monthly Tech Support with Matthew James, Community Support Technician
Do you have questions about our website or online resources? Having issues with your computer or mobile device? Matthew comes over from Quadra once a month to help with tech support.
Upcoming Dates:
Friday, May 8 / 1:30-2:30pm
Friday, June 5 / 1:30-2:30pm
Call or email to book an appointment.
—
VIRL Speaker Series’ (free & online)
Virtual Gardening Series
Tap into the tremendous knowledge of the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association. The Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association (VIMGA) is a chapter of the Master Gardeners Association, an international service society of specially trained volunteers who teach science-based sustainable gardening practices to home gardeners. 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 anything you’ve missed or rewatch your favourites.
Register for the next session: Crop Rotation – Monday, June 1, 6:30-8 pm.
TRC57 Conversations
Join us for the 2026 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. Essential learning for anyone serving the public, such as teachers, community organizers, workshop facilitators. This season features talks by the authors from the anthology Resurgence and Reconciliation: Indigenous–Settler Relations and Earth Teachings.
Register for the next session: Dr. Aaron Mills – Wednesday May 20, 12-1 pm.
—
It’s Census Season! Deadline for submitting your form is May 12. If you’re one of the chosen ones and you need access to a computer, you can come by the library to use one of ours to fill out your form online. Good luck to all the long formers!
—
Did you know…
• You can host book clubs, workshops, and other free gatherings at the library! Send an email or call the branch and we can figure out the details.
• You can borrow STEAMA themed Tinker Totes for your kiddos. Similar to our literacy kits, you will get a backpack full of hands-on science and technology activities. Search for “tinker totes” in our online catalogue to see what’s available.
• Back in September, we switched to new hours. We are now open 5 days a week (instead of 4) including 2 evenings. We have bookmarks at the branch with our new hours (they can be hard to remember).
• Our adult sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and graphic fiction books are now on their own shelves in the same section as mystery and large print. Readers of these genres should have an easier time finding the books they love.
—
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. We also have a scanner, copier, and shredder that staff can assist you with.
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