Thank you to everyone who came to our 90th Anniversary celebration!

We ate delicious cupcakes (created by Julie) and made beautiful blue birthday hats. Come by the library to sign our guest book, pick up your 90th Anniversary summer passport (visit as many of our branches as possible from now until October and collect stamps) and enter our Cortes branch trivia challenge.

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Add the library to your free store loop!

We know it’s important to maximize the efficiency of your errand outings. The good news is that the library is located perfectly between all the island’s hottest destinations. Whether you’re coming from Whaletown and heading to Mansons to pick some clams, going from Mansons to put your car into the line at the ferry, or zipping to the recycling center and free store, then getting gas at Squirrel Cove or the Gorge, you can add a quick library stop on your way! We always have a good selection of books, magazines, and DVDs on display to grab–you can be in and out in under 7 minutes, that’s our guarantee. Of course, we like it when you stay a bit longer too :)

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Under the Sea: 2026 Summer Reading Club is coming soon!

Get ready for another fun summer full of reading, games, and of course, collecting trading cards. Weekly prizes! Ocean themed books! Ocean themed crafts! Our official kick off is July 2, but families can come in to get their SRC packages starting June 16th. All 39 VIRL branches participate in this region wide program, so no matter where you travel around Vancouver Island this summer, you can stop in at the library and see what’s happening… under the sea!

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Zollipop Zingers

Kids, teens, adults, thespians, get ready to delight your tastebuds. Starting this month, if you recite a verse, sing a song, or share a zinger of a new word or a startling fact to the person working at the Cortes branch, you will earn yourself a tasty zollipop! One zolli per person per visit! No repeats, we’re gonna need to hear some fresh material every time.

For anyone curious about zollipops (we are not sponsored by Zolli candy, it’s just a pretty neat story): The idea of a healthy, sugar-free, vegan, tooth-friendly candy came to Kidpreneur Alina Morse when she was seven years old. Zolli Candy is delicious, allergy-free, sugar free, vegan, KETO, diabetic-friendly, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, made with natural fruit flavors, no artificial colors, and kosher.

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Did you know…

• We are a cooling center. If there’s a heatwave or heat dome and you need a place to get cool, come on by. We have potable water for you to fill up water bottles and lots of books to read while you wait out the worst of the heat during our open hours.
• You can borrow video games for your PS4, Xbox, and Switch. Come see what we have at the Cortes branch or browse our online collection.
• We always have art books on display on the lower shelves. Do you love looking at art and photography? We do too! We keep these books refreshed so you can keep coming back for new inspiration.
• It’s easy to borrow Audiobooks! We have an extensive collection of Audiobooks on CD and mp3 that you can place holds on through our online collection. You can also download the Libby and Blackstone Unlimited apps to bring audiobooks right to your mobile device. Great company while puttering away out in the garden, or while walking the dog.

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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. 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.

Get in touch: ci1virl.bc.ca / 250-935-6566